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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY    14580 

(716)  872-4503 


w^. 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  MIcroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  altar  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


□ 


□ 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

D 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  iilustratiotis/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  ot:.er  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  fiim^es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


n    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Payes  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

r~7|    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


D 


•/ 


D 


^ 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu^  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparer.ee 


T 


T 

P 
o 
fi 


0 

b 
tl 

tl 
o 
fi 
si 
o 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  in^gale  de  ('impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


T 

8l 

T 

M 

N 
dl 
ei 
b( 
ri 
rt 
nn 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


26X 


30X 


y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

J 

Th«  copy  filmed  h«r«  has  b««n  r«produc«d  thanks 
to  tha  ganarotity  of: 

Douglas  Library 
Quean's  University 


L'axamplaira  film*  f ut  raproduit  grAca  A  la 
gAnArosit*  da: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 


The  images  appearing  hare  ere  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  originel  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  end  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  e  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  originel  copies  ere  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impree- 
sion,  and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  imsges  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduit6s  avec  le 
plus  grend  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattet*  de  I'exempieire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  evec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originsux  dont  le  couverture  en 
pepier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmis  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminent  soit  per  la 
darnlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustretion,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cea.  Tous  las  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpent  per  la 
premiire  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminent  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
darnlAre  imege  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  mey  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  es 
required.  The  following  diegrems  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  certes,  planches,  tableeux.  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fiimAs  h  des  teux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche.  11  est  film*  A  partir 
de  i'engie  supArieur  geuche.  de  geuche  *  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bes.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diegrammes  suivants 
illustrent  le  mithode. 


1  2  3 


^ 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

2i 


T 


DET 


■J  ( 

FUR    SEAL   ARBITRATION. 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 


Tribunal  of  Arbitration, 


CONVENED  AT  PARIS 


UNDKR    THE 


TREATY  BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OP  AMERICA  AND  GREAT 
BRITAIN  CONCLUDED  AT  WASHINGTON  FEBRUARY  Jo.  1893, 


FOK   THE 


DETERMINATION  OF  QUESTIONS  BETWEEN  THE  TWO  GOV 

ERNMENTS  CONCERNING  THE  JURISDICTIONAL 

RIGHTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 


IN   TIIF 


WATERS   OF   BERING   SEA. 


volume:  VI. 


WASniNCxTON: 

OOVERNMENT  PBINTINO  OFPIOB. 
1895. 


3X238. Fs 


V,(e 


rii 


T] 


^8 


IJX^iTET)    S^rA  I  i:s.     N«».  -2    (iHOri). 


BEHK1N(J    SEA    AKBITRATION. 


H  E  1/  (J  R  T 


ov 


THE  HEHRING  SEA  COMMISSION, 


ANI> 


KEPORT  or  liiirnsii  commissioneks 
or  .irxE  L>i.  isj):>. 


WITH  FIVE  MAPS  AND  DIAGRAMS,  AND  APPENDICES. 


PKE.SKNTKD  TO   IJOTII    H<H  !S|;s  uF  I'AKLIAMFAT   HV  COMMAND 

OF  IIKU  MAJKSTY. 


M  AIIC^  H  ,    1  8<):}. 


lAiiij".  oi"  roxTi'.x'is. 


1*11111 

urii|ili. 


i  Vagv. 

I 
IiiHlriirtimi^    v.vi.vll 

Itl..'l)l(IS. 


1-2S 


•  llHMl    I  rptM  t     

Ill  |i<iT't  III  l!riiiiili  <'»iiiiiiiA.siiiiiiM'.'i. 

Illtt'lllllll'llll'V     


1 
o 

3-5 


I'.MM    I.— "-rMMAin    (IK  i-Acr-;  as\>   cumusions. 

1.       llll.    I'miMKIl,    rUKSI-.NT    AMI    Till  isl'llr  llvl;   ( 'iiNIll  I  |i  i\   I IK    I  UK    I  Til  Sl.AI.  I'lsH- 
KIIV    IN    INK   NkHUI    I'AIIKIC  (IlKAN. 


;i."i-5i» 
(in-7(t 

71-Hl 

H.I  Inn 

li'I 

1(1-.'  Ill 

ll.'i  III 

11'. 


lA.i  (it'iii'ml  I 'oiiilitioiiH  of  Si>iil  I.ilc. 
(It. I  Killiiiui'ii  llll'  Itrrciliii^  I.tliiuil.4  . 
(C.l  .Si'iili 


(I). I   .\ililjtiiiiiiil  |iniiii«  riitiiii'ctril  »  llll  Si'iiliiiu  at  S<*ii<ir  ou  Sliiirc. 
( I'  I   I'liniiii'  iiml  |iri'.M(Mit  <  iiiiililiiiii  nl'  tin'  Imliistn 


II.      I'<IN--II1KI1.M  U>N-^   l!KI..\;iNU    In    llll;     I'lA-l.-l     I  ro.S'   WHICH    I'llKCAnKl.V.s   MAV   HI: 

HI  VI -II)  Ki'it  1  III;  l'iii:si;i;vAini\  hk  tiik  I''i'U-.Si.:  \i 

(  .\.l    I  iilr  I  >l't  iiiMih  111 - 

I  li.)    rrinrljplis  iiiMilviil   

I I  .1   Siiiiiiiiaiv  III'  yriiriiil  I  'Hiililiiiiis  lii'iil'iiii;  ii|iiili  lirunlnlinlis 


I II. -Mi;Asim:s   i-oi!    riii;  I'lmii.cTiox    \Nii    I'ni.sKiiVMins  m'    liii;  Kfii  Skai.  uK 

TIIK   NnllTII    rA<'ll'Ii'. 


111! 

U7 

l.Vi 

I.M 

t.'-.J 

ir..-. 

ir>l 

11 

•J 

11 

:i 

11 

I 

K 

;, 

Kill- 

IIW 

Kill- 1  TO 


171-l'.«i 
197  '.'IIS 

'.•(in-2'.';i 

•.'24-'.M:I 
L'44  ■J7ti 

277-2K:t 
2H»-2ni 
2112  'Jul 
2!».'>-2!l7 
29.'<-:tli2 

uu:t-:iie 

317  :i'j,-. 
3'j(!-;i4:i 

344-:i.->ll 
357-;i70 


i.\.i  I  iciiiTiil  iiatim"  111'  Mraxiiri"'<  iii|iiiii'il   

I    I  IiiiiH'iivi'iiii'iii.t  ill  tlii<  Mi'lliiiils  III' taking  Srals 

ii        Itcsii  iiliiiii  i.i  till' XiiiiiliiT  if  Si  a!.'*  lakiii    

,'>.l    .Micrilii'  Mrlii'liii'  II f  It(>i,'lllali<ill><  I'l  riiiniilrllilrll 

It;.)   ^ll•lllllll.s  (if  yi\  iii^  cllii  t  to  Kiitiilatiiius 

1 1). I  Allciiiativi'  Mt'lliiiils  (if  l;.  ;;iilaliiiii 

li.)   I'nliKt  I'l'iiliiliilimi  nl    Killiiiu  on   ihh'   hI'   tin'   Itnciliii;;    iHlaiiilM,  witli 

Hiiilalilo  (■(iiiciiiu'IiI  Unyiilaliinis  at  Sea 

lii.l    Ki'iiiiiiiit   prni'ils  iif  IJi'sl 

(iii.l  Tntal  I'l'iihiliilinii  iif  Killini;  nii  tni'  llrcciliuK  IhIiiikU.  with  ('(iiiciirruni 

Hlriit  IJi'Kiilatinii  of  l'i'lai;ii'  ScaliiiL' 

(1!.)   Iiiiiriiatintial  ai'limi 

I'Altl     II.  — l>l.r.\Ii,I-.|i   (i|t.'>l  It\  ATKiXs   (iX     llli:    l.\(.ISAM)    I  (I.MH  IION.S 

(If  >i;.vi.  I. mi;. 

I.  —  NaTIRAI.    Ill>T(JliV   AMI     r;\VIUii.\.Ml:SI    111      INK    l'riiSl„M.    UK    IIIK    Nnimi 

I'ACIKIC. 

(A.)  MiKratiiiilH  iind  Ifaiiiic  nf  tlii>  Kiii'-Scal  nf  lln-  Nni-lli   I'acilir — 

It.)   KaBli'iii  !<i(li' iif  llll' Xdi-tli  I'arilic  

III.)   \Vi'.sliinBi(li'  of  till-  N'lirlli  rarilii' 

(iii.)   liiHiriliiiliiiii  111  .'-la 

lll.i  I'linil  (if  llm  rill- .Sial 

(C.l   !'liy>iral  (■liaiarl('ri'<liin  nl   llin  I'riliylnll'  ami  Ciiiiiiiiaiiili  i-  Ittlaiid.'.  anil  iialnrc 

of  till' nii'i'ilin;;  I  iiniinilM    

(I).)   A II  111  nil  inoKrcss  of  even  I. s  in  Seal  l.il'n  on  llio  llrii  iliii'.i  Nlanil.s 

(K.)  .Vyisat  wliirli  Males  nach  \  iiilil  v  anil  llin  I'Vniali'i*  iirnilncc  Vount; 

iV.)  l{i'(|ni.sit((  ]iid|i(>!'ti()tis  of  Suxcs 

(i;.)  CiMiiiin 


(II.)  .Vfin  at  wliiili  till'  .voiinii  Swim.— Xnnilii'i'  nf  vinini;  nl  a  Ilirlli 

(I.)   l)ii»tan<M'»  to  wliicli  .ScnlN  (;n  fi'nni  the  liioi'iliiin  Inlniiil.1  in  scanli  nf  I' I.  and 

tiliiis  of  I'ci'ilin;; 

(.1.1   llaliil.s  w' ,  11  SurUliliK 

(Iv.)  Naliiral  caiincs  of  1  lest nict  ion 

(1,.)   Mniiidilx  of  Voniijt  Seals  in  1*11 

(M.)  .Mellinds  of   eiiuiiK  rat  ill;:    Seali   on   tlii<   I'ribjlotl    Islands   and   I'stiiiiates   nf 

Nunilieis .'. 


21776 


0.7 

7-11 

\l-\2 

12  14 

14-16 

17 

17-19 

10-23 

•Si 

23 
24 
24 
2.'i 
2rt 
20 

20 

2il.  27 

27 
'-■7.  '.'8 


2»-32 
;i2-34 

:i4-:m 
;w-4'2 

42- JO 
41),  .M) 


.">2.  .')3 

.-i:i,  :a 
.-I  -.7 

J7, 6H 
OH  «1 
HI  04 

01-67 


KEPOIM"    OF    HIMTIRII    <  OMMlHBlUNKKS. 
Tiihle  of  <'oHlinln — ('mil  iiiiirtl. 


I'arn- 
Krmph. 

:iT7-:i9r. 

:imi  44fl 
4»7-«r.ii 
4r.i  i:." 

4:m<  »7:i 

474  w:.  • 


,N.) 

«•) 

(I'.) 

(S.) 

n.- 


VnrionN  iiiiliinil  iniliriitiiinii  nl'  I'driiirr  cxloiii  nl'  crmiiiil  m  rii|ii*><l  bv  Soaln  mi 

III.'  I'iili>l..ll'  UIiiikIk ' 

Cliaiim's  ill  lliiliilH  ol'  III!'  Kiir  Si'iil  in  n  rriil  \r:irK  

Kiir  Si'iiW  i>r>  <'<linu  mi  tin'  SmilliiTii  (lart  dl'  lliii  Noitli  Aiiii'i  iraii  iiiiinI    

Cmniirtiiiti  or  iiit«rrliaiic«  ol'   Si'IiId  Im'I  wiiii   llir   I'rilivliiH' imhI  Cmiiiiiniiilrr 

UlaiiiU 

riiiHJitimis  iilli'i'liiii;  llioHfaOltoriiiHl  S«!ii-<'<iwi'i>iitrnHli'il  «  ilh  tliimiMillfH'liiiK 

I  111-   l'"iir  Seal  

Ilrrriliiiu  l'Iai'1'.t  iiikI  KrHurt.s  iil'  tin-  Kiir-Scaluii  tlir  Wi'xli-rii  Slilml'  thu  Niirlli 

I'arillr 

■NATIVKS  ok  TIIKCoAHIH  llK  IIIIITIHII  Ciil.U.Mlin  AM"  Al.A-KA  IHIlllTI.V  iXTKH- 
KSTKI)  IN  IXIir.PKNIlKNT  SKAI.IMi.  Ml;ll|ii|i-<  "K  llrNIINi.,  AMI  NiMIIKK 
TAKKX 


ragi>. 


III.— I'KI.Ai.Tl     SKAI.IMi. 


671-600 

tioi-nii; 
«i:(  0:12 
o:i;i  85:i 

e.'i4-()5« 


fi.'iK  n";i 
074  oici  ' 
«»i  70:1 

704  7'Jl 

7'J2 
72.1 -7Jfi 
7'J7-770 

771- 7HI 
782-8;i:t 

h:i4  iioi 

(H»2-»0:i 


oriuiii  ami  ncvolopnii-nt. 

Mi'HiimU 

ri'ii|im'timi  <■!'  Srals  Inst . . 

( 'mil pimi lion  of  Oiilcli 

Kiiiiiri'  of  iIh-  IiiiiiiMtrv. . 


(A.) 
(II.) 
«•) 
(D.) 
iK.) 

IV.- 

'A.l 
.11.) 
(C.) 
(D.) 
(K.) 
(!•'.) 
(G.) 

V.  —  Nl'MIIKII   OK   FiH-SKAI.s    KIM.KIi   I  I'0\  TIIK    rillllVI.OKK   I.»I.ANI)H 

\'I.     Ilis'i'iiiic  Ai.  NdTKsiiN  iiiK  ('oMinuiN  01  ■iiii-;  Kill  Skai,  Kookkhieh  ok  imi: 

I 'II 1 11 VI.' IKK   I>I.A.\IIS  in   V  a  UK  Us    VkAHS 

\I1.--  TllK    rril.SKAI,   I'isllKHV    IN    IllK   SnmiKKN    II  K.MlSI'llKHK 

V  1 1 1.— Ma  UKKTI.MI  TIIIC  Seai.-Ski.vs 


-CuXTIKiI.     A.M>    METIIiiIis    UK     Sl.AI.INll    <>N     llll,      rillllVl.' 'Kl'      l>l,AMi>,    IIIKIIl 

Naii  hi;  ami  IJksii.t-. 

MrlliiHlxi'!n)ilovril 

PrcnaH)'  ill  N iiiiilii'r  of  SraJN.  it.s  ( li'i;:iii  iiml  I'io^ichh . . 

Staiiiliiril  Wfi^liiH  ol  Skins lakmi 

lli'iviiii:  III'  Seals 

I'riiti'i  timi  of  Kooki'iifs  Iroiii  liiHliiiliaiirc 

Nalivf  liilt'lints  oil  llll'  IslaiiilN 

l!ai(t.H 


07  71 

71  7lt 

70 

711-81 

HI  Kl 
H»-l)l 

!tl  '.•7 


07-102 
10'.'-104 
104-IOfl 

ius.ii:i 

11:1, 114 


114 

ilfl 

llll 

nil 

llll 

121 

I'Jl 

i'j;i 

124 

I-'4, 

rj.-> 

1  •:.-.- 

Ull 

1:11- 

-1:14 

1:14- 

140 

140- 

149 

14<.l 

I'AKT    III. 


!HI4    goX       Com  l.t'lll.Ml    ItK.MAIIK: 


1»0 


MAI'.''  AM)  1>1A(;K'AMS. 

I.  'I'riK'k  riinrt  of  Ronto.s  fnllowt'd  liv  the  llriti.sli  lirhriiig  Sua  Coiiiiiiissiuiu'rH.  15tli 
July  toHtli  Octolifi,  IMM. 
11.  Skutcli  Miiii,  illiistr.itiii^  Hesorts  ami  .Migration  l\*oiilc'»of  I''iir-S«ul.s  in  liio  Noitli 
I'licitic. 

III.  Skftcli  Ma]>.  .showing  approximately  the  Area  freqiientetl  by  ]'"nr-Si'aln  in  the 

jieriovl  extending  iVoni  l.'itli  .Inly  to  l(!tli  Aiignst,  isitl. 

IV.  Skctfli  Ma)»,  siiowing  approximately  tlio  Art.'i  tre<|m'i)ttMl   liy  J''ur-St'ai,s  in  tlio 

period  I'Xtt-nding  IVoni  lotli  .Viignst  to  llitli  Sf)it«Miiliur.  IX'.H, 
V.  Diagrams  illustrating  Niimbcr  ol'  J''iir-Sea!a  Killed. 


I'llKo. 


fllln  nil 

> 
•IT  71 

71  7!t 
7!t 

liniltllT 

l(Tiiii>{ 
Xortli 

1              '■ 
71»  HI 

Hl-K)                  j| 

Ht-l)l                  1 

iNTKH 
1  MltKll 

'.n  !»- 

!t7    102                ' 

ioi:.i()4 

1(M-1(MI 

uw-ii;! 

HI.  lU             * 

-i 

lU-Ilfi 

iiiMiii          m 
11!)  r.'i           m 

iai  1 

I' Tin; 

MU  14!)              n 

...   m 

API'KXDirKS. 


Appomlix  (A).  LiNtof  rorsons  an.l  Anthoiiti.-s  sniiplvin.'  ovi.lonoo 

^H).  Ciiciiliir  to  anil  ic|»Ii,.8  (V Coloniui  and  I'on-iirn 

nu'iits " 

((').   Viirioiis  letters  and  coiinminiciil  Iimih  iVdatYnj,' Vo  tlnVr 


(D). 
(K). 

(I'), 
((i). 


(ii)vern- 

of  the  liiitisli  Coliimldim  iiml  neii;lilMVn"i'i7i«  (oilstH 

.MiHeellaneoiis  eoiieHpondem  o  and  Sleniitianda  

Seal  rre.seivatii.n  I»'t«iilati<.n8  and  ( (rdinaiices     

J'articnlars  of  l>e]a«ie  Cateh  <.C  Hiitisli  and  rnite.rstates 

.ScalMijr-vessolH.     l>!71-!tl 
MlHeeihuu s  Tallies 


irii-ir.:{ 

ir.i-n;i> 

170-I7S 
17!t-l!»2 

i!t:j-2():{ 


(in.  Atliduvits  relating  to  I'eiiigie'sotiling! 


L'OI-LMl' 
2i:i-l'l« 
l'l!»-2Jl 


lolieiH.  |.5tli 
ri  tlie  Noitli 
cals  in  tlu) 
t'als  in  tlio 


<li 

ti( 
till 
l»i 

Uu 
foi 
an 


yoi 
Co 

P  ] 

'i       me 

:     sh( 

Wll 

to 

Otll 

i 
iiii.- 
siiii 
eve 
oth 
\ 
1 
life 
iat« 

o 

atti 


BEllKlNd  SKA   COMMISSION. 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  BRITISH  COMMISSIONERS. 


I 


No.  I. 
Till   Mnniiiis  nf  Sulishiivii  (n  Sir  (i.  Iliiih  n   >''>ir<ll  tnnl  lh\  lUlicson. 

I'oUKlGX   Ol-I'ICK,  f/////(  .i*/,  JS91. 

rTENTrEMKN:  Tlic  ()iioon  liaviii};  Itreii  iiiciously  ]>l(';i..<'(l  to  appoint 
yoii  to  ho.  Iicr  Coniiiiissioiii'rs  Co/  tlic  pi.  jmscol"  iiniririiij;-  into  tlu^  con- 
ditions of  sciil  lilii>  in  li('lirin;i  Sen  and  <»tlior  pait  <  of  the  Nortli  Pacific 
' ).  .  ii,  !  transmit  toyoii  licicwitli  Iicr  Majc^ij  .«>  roniiui.ssion  under  the 
Sign  Manuiil  \'o  that  ctVcct. 

The  niiiin  ohjcctof  your  in<n.iry  will  be  to  ascertain,  "What  interna- 
tional arranfjcinents,  if  any,  !ire  nt'cessary  between  (Ireat  Britain  and 
the  Tnitcd  States,  iuid  Unssin  <»r  any  other  Power,  for  tiu-  purpose  of 
preserxiny  the  fur  seal  raci^  in  iJclirin;:'  Sea  IVoni  exterTuination '/" 

iler  .Majesty's  (lovcrnnient  ha\e  pr<»posed  to  the  United  States  that 
the  invcsti.uatiou  should  be  conducteil  by  a Coniniission  to  c<)nsist  of 
four  experts,  of  whom  two  shall  be  nominated  by  each  (lovcrnnient, 
and  a  (Miairinan,  who  shall  be  nominated  by  Arbitrators, 

If  the  (iovernmcnt  of  the  I'nited  Stat«'s  ajiice  to  this  proposal, 
you  will  be  the  Delegates  who  will  represent  (ireat  Britain  in  the 
Commission. 

IJnt,  in  the  meanwhile,  it  is  desirable  that  you  should  at  once  <'0m- 
incncc!  your  examination  of  tlu'  question,  ami  that  lor  that  purpose  you 
should  proc»'ed  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can  to  Vancouver,  from 
whence  the  liords  Cominissiiuiers  of  the  Admiralty  have  been  rei|ueste<l 
to  ]>rovide  for  your  conveyance  to  the  various  sealing  grounds  and 
other  places  which  it  may  be  expedient  for  you  to  visit. 

Ai)plicatioii  has  been  made  to  the  I'liited  States  (ioveninient  for  per- 
mission for  yoii  to  visit  tlu^  seal  islands  iimicr  their  jurisdiction,  and  a 
similar  re(|uest  will  be  addressed  to  the  ]\iissian  (lovernnieiit  in  the 
event  of  your  finding  it  necessary  to  visit  the  Commauder  Islands  and 
other  IJiissian  jcaling  grounds. 

Vour  attention  should  be  particularly  devote«l  to  ascertaining — 

1.  The  actual  facts  as  regard  «  the  alleged  serious  diuiinution  of  seal 
lifeoii  thePribylolV  Islands,  the  o.ite  at  which  su<*lnliminution  began,  the 
rate  of  its  progress,  and  any  previous  iiiHtiin.e  of  a  similar  occurrence. 

2.  The  causes  of  such  diminution;  whether,  and  to  what  extent,  it  is 
attributable — 

(a.)  J'o  a  migration  of  the  seals  to  other  rookeries. 

(b.)  To  the  method  of  killing  pursued  on  the  islands  themselves. 


I 


8 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


(('.)  To  tlio  in('i«'as('(»C  sciiliiiji  upon  tln'  lii;;li  si'iis.  and  tlic  iiiaiiiior  in 
wiiich  it  is  jMirsuod. 

I  nocd  scarcely  remind  yon  that  yonr  invest  ij^ation  should  he  carried 
on  with  strict  ini])artiality,  that  you  sliould  lu'ylect  ih)  sources  of  int'or 
niation  which  may  he  likely  to  assist  you  in  ariivinji'  at  a  sound  con- 
elusion,  an('k  that  j;reat  care  should  he  taken  to  sift  the  evidence  that  is 
brought  before  you. 

It  is  equally  to  the  interest  of  all  the  (iovernnients  concerned  in  the 
sealing  industry  that  it  should  he  jirotected  fntm  all  serious  risk  of 
extinction  in  consequenceof  the  useof  wasteful  and  injudi(i(»us  methods. 

Von  will  be  provided  with  all  tin;  docninentary  eviden(<i  in  the  pos- 
session of  this  I)ei)artment  whi<'h  is  likely  to  he  of  assistance  to  you  in 
the  prosecution  of  yonr  inquiry. 

Mr.A.Fr(mdehasl)eenai>i)ointed  to  he  your  Secretary,  an<l  will  accom 
pany  you  on  your  tour. 
vi  Separate  despatches  will  he  addressed  to  you  with  regard  to 

the  exi>enses  of  yonr  mission,  and  the  form  in  which  your  cor- 
respondence with  this  Ollice  shoidd  he  con<lucted. 
I  am,  &c. 

(Signed)  Salisimhv. 


I  IlK  lllsllIT    ill    Nil.    I.  I 

Commhaion  jyasacd  under  the  lioi/dl  Siyn  Manual  mid  SUtpiet,  aitpointin<i  Sir  (teorge  Smijth 
Jiadm-l'owcll,  A'.  ('.  M.  a.,  M.  I'.,  and  Cionjf  Mi  ret r  Ihnison,  1. 1..  I).,  /•'.  A',  .s'.,  to 
undertake  an  intiiiirt/  into  ttir  Conditionx  o I'  Seal  l.i/r  an(t  llie  jirecanlioni  ueeeKitarti  for 
preventinij  tlie  extermination  of  tlie  /''nr-neal  Sjieciii  in  lUhrimj  Sea  and  utiier  parln  of 
the  Xorth  I'aeific  (hean. 

loni  of  (ii-riit   Hritain  and 
to  all  and  Hin<;ulai' 


Victoria,  by  tlm  <iraco  of  (iod,   of  tlio   I'nitfd    l\in^..o... 

Ireland,  Qnecii,  DelciidtT  of  tho  l^'aith.  Empress  of  liulia,  iV( 

to  whom  these  pres(!ntH  shall  come,  ijreetinfj; ! 
Whereas,  wo  liave  deemed  it  exjjeilient  that  Commissioners  should  he  ai)])oin(ed 
r  the  purposi^  of  iiKpiiry  into  the  eondit  ions  of  seal  life  and  tln^  ])reeaiiti<ins  neees- 
iry  for  preventinj;;  the  extermination  of  th<'  fur-seal  s|)e(ies   in    I{ehrin<;'  Sea  and 

'l.n..  «-.n«4-u  r^V   4  1...   V#...f  1.    1  >....;  i;..    it........  . 


for 

sary  for  pi „ 

other  parts  of  the  Xorth  I'aeilie  Ocean: 

Now,  know  ye,  that  we,  re]toHinj^  espe<'ial  trust  and  conlidence  in  the  diliy;ence, 
ski'" 
Kt 
Mt 

Dawson,  /vssisiuiii'  J '11  L'ci  ur   ami  ^  ieiMii;;ist  UL    iim;  v  itii;iiii.iii    « irtMii^iciii    itiio   .-miliujii 

History  Snrvey,  have  nominated,  constituted,  and  ajipointed,  and  do  hy  these  jires- 
ents  nominate,  constitute,  and  apptdnt  them  our  Commissioners  to  undertake  the 
in(|niry  aforesaid : 

Aud  wo  do  hereby  f^ive  to  our  said  ConnnissioiU'rs  ful!   jiower  and  authority  to  do 
and  perform  all  acts,  matters,  and  tliinjis  which  may  he  necessary  and  jiroper  for 

.i..i„  ...,.,....:.,..  ;..*„  ..i>'.... f  ti 1  :       i  .. .•  ii. : / :....:  — 


Now,  know  ye,  that  we,  re]toHinj^  espe<'ial  trust  aud  conlidence  in  the  diliy;ence, 
skill,  and  integrity  of  our  trusty  and  wcll-lieloved  Sir  (ieorj;(^  Smyth  l!a<len-ro\vtdl. 
Knight  Connnander  of  Our  Most  l>islini;iiislie<l  Order  ol'  St.  Michael  and  St.  (icor;{e, 
Member  of  Parliament;  and  of  our  trusty  and  well-heloved  I'lofessor  (ieorge  .Mercer 
Dawson,  Assistant  Director  and  (ieologist  of  the  Canadian  ecological  and  Natural 

ii:„i..-„  1:1 I :..... ...I    i:<..i..,.i     1   ...,....:..i^...i    1  .1..  i...  >  1. ............ u 


«..v»    |r..&.u...i    ....    ..■  « ..../....,....■. ^.. ^1    - ^.    I"  "i 

duly  carrying  into  eti'eet  the  object  of  this  our  Commission. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  signed  these  ]ii-cHcnts  with  our  Koyal  hand. 

Given  at  our  Court  at  Windsor  Castle,  the  L'L'nd  day  of  .Inne,  in  the  year  of  out 


Lord  1S!H,  and  in  the  lifty-lifth  year  of  our  reign. 
By  Her  Majesty's  command, 


^  Signed) 


S.VLISIUUY. 


No.  2. 
The  MatUfttiH  of  lStili,shii.'if  to  the  Itdirhtti  Sea  ('oimttissioncrK. 

FoiiEKiN  Office,  Jauutirt/  l'>,  ]s!)^. 

Gentlemen:  1  have  to  inform  you  that  Her  ^Majesty's  IMinister  at 
VVashingbm  has  sent  home  the  text  of  seven  Articles.  signe<l  hy  himselt 
aud  Mr.  Blaine  on  the  18th  ultimo,  which  are  to  be  embodied  in  a  formal 


REPORT   OP    HRITISII    COMMIS.SIONKRS. 


e  iiuniuer  in 

iJ  •)e(;iini('<I 

i'<'S(»f  iiifbr 

'Soiiiid  ((III. 

I'lice  that  is 

I'lod  ill  the 
oils  lisk  of 
IS  methods, 
in  the  pds- 
<5  to  you  in 

willaceoni 

I  ic'^^ird  to 
I  your  cor- 


isiu  K\ 


ieorge  Smtith 

/'.  /.'.  .v.;  /„ 

lecexnari/  for 
titer  jiiir/s  of 


•i'aiii  ami 
•■"l>I»oin(o<l 

(IIIM  IIUl'08- 
f^t^l    illul 

lili^r.>iu-<>, 

Ko  .Mercer 
I  Xiitiiral 
eso  jire.s- 
take  the 

ity  to  do 
rojiiT  lor 


ar  (it"  our 


^m  Kv, 


s. 

ter  iit 
iniscJf 
tbruial 


i 


A^-fecinent  between  Her  Majesty's  (^loveruinent  and  tliatof  tlie  United 
States  lor  relerrinj;'  to  Aihitratoi-s  eeitaiii  ([nestions  at  issne  between 
the  two  (ioveruments  in  rej;ard  to  thejuiisdiction  claimed  by  tiie  hitter 
over  the  waters  of  iSehriny  Sea  in  eonneetion  witli  thel'nr-seal  fisheries 
tlierein. 

Sir. I.  I'anneefote  lias  also  forwarded  the  t«'\t  of  an  Agreement  siffiied 
on  the  same  «lay  lor  the  appointment  of  two  Commissioners  by  Her 
iMaJesty's  (lovernment  and  that  of  the  I'liited  States  respectively,  to 
investifiate.  conjointly  with  the  Commissioners  of  the  other  Govern- 
ment, all  tlie  facts  relating  to  seal  life  in  lii'hriii};-  Sea,  and  the  necessary 
measures  for  its  jiroper  protectlion  and  preservation. 

A  copy  <d'  Sir  .1.  I'aiiiK^efote's  desjiatch,  inclosing  both  these  docu- 
ments, is  Ibrwarded  herewith  for  yoiu'  information. 

I  now  transmit  the  (Queen's  Commission  iimler  the  Sign  Mannal 
apiMiiiiting  yon  to  be  Her  .MaJ«^sty's  Commissioners  in  accordam-e  with 
th«'  pr(»visioiis  of  the  .Joint  Commission  Agreement,  and  I  recpiest  that 
yon  will  proceed  to  Wasliington  as  so(»n  as  yon  can  conveniently  do  so, 
ill  order  t(Mlraw  lip  the  licport  indicated  in   the  second  paragraph  of 

the  agreement, 
vii  The  information  which  has  been  obtained  by  your  American 

colleagues  and  yonrselves  dining  your  recent  \isit  to  llciiring 
Seft  will  supply  yon  with  material  for  the  preparation  of  your  l{eport. 

There  are,  however,  a  few  points  to  which  Jler  Majesty's  Government 
consider  it  desirabh^  that  your  special  attention  shonid  be  directed. 

Von  will  observe  that  it  is  intended  that  the  IJepmt  of  the  .Joint 
Commissioners  shall  embrace  rcconniiendations  as  to  all  measures  that 
shonid  be  adopted  for  the  preservation  of  seal  life.  For  this  purpose, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  consider  what  regulations  may  seem  advisable, 
whether  within  tin* Jnrisdictioiial  limits  of  the  Cnited  States  and  Can- 
ada, (U"  outside  those  limits.  The  ltegiilati<uis  which  t  he  Commissioners 
may  recommend  lor  adoption  within  the  r«'specti\«' Jiii  isdictioiis  of  the 
two  countries  will,  of  course,  be  matter  Ibr  the  consideration  of  the 
resi)ective  (iovernments,  while  the  regulations  airecting  waters  outside 
the  territorial  limits  will  have  to  be  tonsidered  under  claiisi'  (i  of  the 
Arliitiation  Agreement  in  the  event  of  a  de«;ision  being  given  by  the 
Aibitiators  against  the  claim  of  exclusive  jurisdiction  put  forward  on 
behalf  of  the  Cnited  States. 

The  l*ci)ort  is  to  !»(«  presented  in  thelirst  instance  to  tiie  two  Govern- 
ments for  their  <'onsideiation,  and  is  siibse(|uently  to  be  laid  by  those 
GoNcrnments  before  the  Arbitrat<us  to  assist  them  in  determining  the 
more  restricted  (piestion  as  to  what,  if  any,  IkCgiilations  are  essential 
for  the  i)rotection  of  the  fur-bearing  seals  outside  the  t«'rritorial Juris- 
diction (tf  tlie  two  countries. 

In  the  event  any  |M»ints  arising  on  which  llie  Commissioners  are 
unable  to  j.rrive  at  an  understanding,  tiu-y  should  report  Jointly  or 
severally  t>  each  Governmei.t  on  such  points. 

In  eonclusion,  I  have  to  state?  that  ller  Majesty's  Government  idace 
every  relian<'«>  on  vour  tact  and  discretion  in  the  conduct  of  your  inves- 
tigations  with  your  American  colleagues,  who  will,  no  doubt,  be  eipially 
desirous  with  yourselves  of  arriving  at  a  common  agreement  on  the 
tluestiiMis  to  be  discussed, 
1  am.  t^cc. 

(Signed)  Sallsuubv. 


10 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


[luclosiirn  in  No.  2.] 

CommUuion  panned  under  the  Royal  Sif/ii  Manual  and  Sigitrl  appohitinfl  Sir  George  Smylh 
Badett- Powell,  K.  C.  M.  U.,  M,  P.,  and  Profenitor  iieorge  Mern-r  Dawaoii,  AnHiBlant 
Director  and  Ceoloijint  of  the  I'anadian  Geoloifuul  and  Natural  Hintory  Survey,  lo  he 
Her  Majenty'n  ('omminaioHerH  under  the  liehring  Sen  Joint  Comminaion  Agreement  between 
Great  liritain  and  the  I'nited  States  of  the  ISth  Jheember,  1S91. 

Victoria,  by  tlie  Orace  of  God,  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Hritain  and  Ire- 
land, Queen,  Defender  of  theFuitli,  Empress  of  India,  t&c.,  &c.,  &c.,  to  all  and  singu- 
lar to  whom  tiiese  jtrcHents  shall  come,  greeting! 

Whereas  we  have  deemed  it  expedient  that  Commissioners  should  be  appointed 
fs>r  the  pnrnose  of  inquiring  into  the  conditions  of  seal  life  in  Hehring  Sea  and  the 
measures  necessary  for  its  jtroju'r  protection  and  preservation  under  the  Agreement 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  I'nited  States  of  America  of  the  IKth  December,  1«9I. 

Now  know  ye  that  we,  reposing  especial  trust  and  contidence  in  the  diligence, 
skill,  and  integrity  of  oar  trusty  and  wcll-belove'l  Sir  George  Smyth  Baden-I'owell, 
Knight  Coumiander  of  our  niost  distinguished  Order  of  St.  Micbad  and  St.  (Jeorge, 
Mbmber  of  Parliament,  and  of  our  trusty  and  well-bdovcd  Professor  George  Mercer 
Dawson,  Assistant  Director  and  (Geologist  of  the  Canadian  (!e(dogical  and  Natural 
History  Survey,  have  noinin.'ited,  constituted,  and  ap))iiinted,  and  do  by  these  presents 
nominate,  constitute,  and  appoint  them  our  Commissioners  to  untlertaku  the  iu(|uity 
aforesaid. 

And  wo  do  hereby  give  to  our  saiil  CominissitinerR  Full  Power  and  authority  to  do 
and  perform  all  acts,  matters,  and  things  wliieh  may  be  necessary  and  projtcr  for  tliily 
carrying  into  effect  the  objec't  of  tliis  our  Coinmission. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  signed  these  presents  with  our  Royal  luunl. 

Given  at  our  Court  at  Osborne  the  Ist  day  of  .lauuary  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  IS92, 
and  in  the  5r)th  year  of  our  reign. 

By  Her  Majesty's  command, 

(Conntersigned)  SALisnruv. 


BEHKINCI  SKA  COMMISSION. 


JOINT  REPORT. 


No, ;{. 

The  Jifhritif/  Sea  Commifmiouers  to  the  Mavqvh  of  Snlisbury.- 

March  1!).) 


-(Received 


^VASIIIN(}TON,  March  •/,  1S!)2. 
My  Lord  :  "We  liavo  the  houonr  to  triinsmit  lierewitli  a  Keport  siyiied 
tliis  day  by  the  Coiimiissiouers  of  (ireat  lirirain  ami  the  United  States 
iipi)oiiited  to  investigate  the  condition  of  seal  life  in  the  North  Pacitie 
Ocean. 

Under  the  instrnctions  contained  in  your  Lordship's  despatches  of  the 
24th  June,  lf>!M,  and  of  the  15th  January  last,  and  in  acccudance  with 
the  terms  of  the  Afji-eeinent  arriinged  between  the  two  Governments, 
the  recjuisite  investigations  iiave  l)eeu  carried  out;  the  .Joint  lieport,  as 
now  submitted,  has  been  agn'e«l  to;  and  we  are  at  present  engaged  in 
drawing  ni)  our  "sever;d"  j;ei)orts  dealing  with  those  facts  of  seal  life, 
and  measures  necessary  for  its  proper  protection  and  preservation,  on 
which  no  agreentent  was  come  to  in  tlie  Joint  Keport. 
We  have,  »S:c. 

(Signed)  (Ikokge  Badkn-Powell. 

(iKOKGE  M.  Dawson. 


I  rnclosiin'  in  No.  :i.] 


nEillUNd    SKA    (OM.MlSSIO.V    .KirNI     KKI'Oin. 


An  AgreeniPiit  having  boon  cnterod  into  lictwct'ii  the  (ioverumcnts  of  (ireat  Ihitai* 
and  tlio  United  States  to  tlio  cirect  that — 

''Each  (iovernnicnt  shall  a])]ioint  two  Coniniissioncrs  to  investigate,  conjointly 
with  the  L'onunissionevH  of  the  other  (iovernnicnt,  all  the  facts  having  relation  to 
Heal  life  in  Hchiiiig  Sea,  and  tlio  mcasnies  necessary  for  its  proper  ])rotectiou  and 
preservation ; 

"The  fonr  Coniinissioners  shall,  so  far  as  they  may  he  ahle  to  agree,  make  a  .Joint 
Keport  to  each  of  the  two  (Jovernnients;  anil  they  shall  also  report,  eithei' jointly  or 
severally,  to  each  (iuvernuient  on  any  ])oints  ii])on  which  they  may  he  unahie  to 
agree ; 

"These  Ue])orts  shall  not  ho  made  pnhli<' until  they  shall  he  Hiibniittod  to  the  Arhi- 
trators,  or  it  shall  ap])eur  that  the  (H)ntingen<v'  >>f  their  being  used  hy  the  Arhitrators 
cannot  aristr;" 

And  we,  in  acitordanco  with  the  alto\e  Agreement,  having  heen  dnly  commissioned 
l>y  onr  respective  (ioveninients,  and  having  connr.nnicate<l  to  each  other  our  respective 
powers,  found  iu  good  and  dne  form,  have  agieed  to  the  following  lieport: 


12 


kEPORT   op   BRITISH   COMMISSIONRRS. 


1.  The  joint  investigation  has  been  rarried  out  by  uh.  and  we  have  utilixeA  all 
sources  of  information  available. 

2.  The  several  breedinjf-places  on  th«  Pribylott"  Islands  haw  boon  examined,  and 
the  general  management  and  methods  for  taking  the  seals  upon  tiie  islands  have  been 
investigated. 

3.  In  regard  to  the  distribiition  ami  habits  of  the  fur-seal  when  seen  at  sea,  informa- 

tion base<l  on  tlie  observations  recorded  by  the  crui/ers  nf  the  United  States 
2  and  (Jreat  Hritain,  engaged  in  carrying  out  the  modus  rirendi  of  1891,  has  been 

exchanged  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  general  conclusions  to  be  arrived  at  ».u 
these  points. 

•1.  Aleetings  of  the  .Toint  Commission  were  held  in  Washington,  beginning  on  Mon- 
day, the  8th  Kebrnary,  and  continuing  until  Friday,  the  Ith  March,  IH!)2.  As  a  result 
of  these  meetings,  we  find  ourselves  in  accord  on  the  f<diowing  propositions: 

5.  We  are  in  thorough  agreement  that,  for  industrial,  as  well  as  lor  other  obvious 
reasons,  it  is  incunil)ent  upon  all  nations,  an«l  particularly  upon  those  having  direct 
connnercial  interests  in  fur-seals,  to  provide  for  their  proper  protection  and  jircser- 
vation. 

6.  Our  Joint  and  several  investigations  have  led  us  to  certain  conclusions,  in  the 
first  idace,  in  regard  to  the  facts  of  seal  life,  including  both  the  existing  con<litions 
and  their  causes;  and,  in  the  second  jdacc,  in  regard  to  such  remotlies  as  may  be  nec;- 
essary  to  secure  the  fur-seal  against  <lo]ilction  or  (>onniicrcial  extermination. 

7.  We  find  that,  since  the  Alaska  purcha.se,  a  nnirked  diminution  in  the  number  of 
seals  on,  and  habitually  resorting  to,  the  I'ribylotf  islniuls  has  taken  ]>laco;  that  it 
has  been  cumulative  in  effect,  and  that  it  is  tlie  result  of  exceshive  killing  by  man. 

8.  Finding  that  considerable  diti'erence  of  opinion  exists  on  certain  fnndami.-utal 
))ropositions,  which  renilers  it  impossible  in  a  satisfactory  manner  to  express  our 
views  in  a  Joint  Rei)ort,  we  have  agreed  that  wo  can  most  conveniently  state  our 
respective  conclusions  on  these  matters  in  the  "several"  Reports  wiiich  it  is  provided 
may  bo  submitted  to  our  respective  Goverinnents. 

Signed  in  duplicate  at  the  city  of  Washington  this  1th  day  of  March,  1892. 

(Signed)  (iKoinii;  S.mvtii  Madbn-Powell. 

(iiooiuiic  Mi;n(  KK  Dawson. 
Thomas  t'onwiN  Mi-.xdkn'Hai.i.. 
Clinto.v  llAur  Mkkkia.m. 


(Signed)        AsiiLEV  Anthony  Fuorni:,  (  ,  .     .s.,,,,.„<„,, 


REPORT  OF  THK  HHITISII  BEllRING  SEA  (COMMIS- 
SIONERS. 


No.  4. 

Till'  Jieltriufi  aSWi  Vommissiomrn  to  the  MHrquis  of  SaliHhuri/. — [Renired 

Auijiist  Li.) 

Foreign  Office,  Augmt  13,  1892. 

My  Lord:  With  ret'crent'c  to  our  tlesiJiitcli  of  the  4th  March,  1892, 
iii(;lo8iiig  the  .loijit  Report  of  the  Joint  ('oiniiiissit)n,  we  nov.^  have 
the  lioiionr  to  .submit,  as  the  " .several'' Keport  coiiteniphited  in  that 
(le.spatch,  the  JJeport  wliicli  we  have  hsid  tlie  honour  to  make  to  Her 
IMaje.sty  tiie  (^>ueen  under  tlie  Commission  apjwintinff  u.s  to  investigate 
seal  life  in  Beliriiig  !Sea. 
We  have,  &e. 

(Signed)  Gk<)R(JK  IIadenPowell. 

George  M.  Dawson. 


[Ini'losuiv  ill  Nil.  4.) 
UKI'OKT. 

To  the  (,>iuiu'8  Most  lixirUiHt  Majesty. 

May  it  i'i.kask  Yoih  Ma.iksty, 

We,  your  Mnjcstv's  ('uiiiiiiisHinncrs,  iiiipoiiiti'il  to  iiiulertakp  iiii  iiii|iiiry  into  tho 
coiiditidiiH  of  se;il  hie  and  the  iirccimtioim  neci'ssary  <<>i"  in'ovcntiii;;  tlif  tixtenniiiii- 
tiouof  the  fur  seal  upecii'H  iu  IW^liriiij;  .Sea  and  other  parts  of  the  North  I'iicitic  Ocean, 
beg  to  Hubiiiit  the  Ibllowinn  Hcport. 

2.  The  main  ohject  of  our  iui|niry  wan  to  asi'ortain  what  iiiternatioual  arranj^o- 
nients,  if  any,  were  necessary  between  (ireat  Britain  and  tlie  United  ."States  and 
Hnssia,  or  any  other  Power,  lor  the  luirpose  of  ]ireser\ing  the  fur-seal  race  from 
externiinatinii. 

IJ.  We  were  further  instructed  that  Her  Majesty  had  projioHed  to  the  President  of 
tlie  I'nited  States  that  the  invest  ij;atiou  should  becondueted  by  a  .loint  ('oniniission 
of  the  two  nations,  and  that,  on  the  eonclusion  of  an  Agreement  jirovidinj;  for  this, 
■we  were  to  be  the  Delejrates  who  would  represent  (Jreat  Hritain  on  the  t'oniniiHsion. 

4.  It  was  also  understoo<l  that  the  investigations  and  eoiu'lnsions  of  this  .loint 
(loniinission  would  bt;  ultimately  laid  before  the  Arbitrators,  who  were  to  atljndicate 
on  the  international  rights  involved,  and  on  the  establishnieiit  of  b'l'guiatioiis  for 
the  jirojier  iireteetion  and  preservation  of  the  fur-seal  in  or  habitually  resorting  to 
the,  1  Jell  ring  Sea. 

fi.  Wherefore,  in  carrying  out  tlie  terms  of  our  Commission,  it  has  been  our  object 
to  acquire  and  reeord  the  most  complete  information  available,  in  order  to  promote, 
in  the  true  interests  of  all  concerned,  an  ei|nitahle,  impartial,  and  mutually  satis- 
factory adjustment  of  the  (|nestions  at  issue, 

(».  The  necessary  means  ol  trausjiort  over  the  North  I'acitic  Ocean  wiis  jirovided 
for  I'.s  by  the  Lord  (^'onimissioncrs  of  the  Admiralty,  and  tho  re(|uisite  )ierniisHiou  to 
visit  and  examine  the  se.-il  rookeries  situated  in  Americau  or  Russian  territory  was 
obtuiuod  ut  our  request  i'roni  tbu  respective  (iovernuieuts. 

18 


14 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


7.  We  formed  conipleto  ]>lnn8  for  visiting  niich  plnc<-H  situated  in,  and  hui-Ii  ureas  of 

the  North  I'acifii'  <  )ci'an,  and  liolding  personal  interviows  with  such  jiersons  as 

4  should  satisfy  ns  tliat  we  had  ne<;h'ct*-d  no  Konrci^  of  inforniation  which  uiight 
he  likely  to  assist  ns  in  arriving  at  sonnd  conclnsions. 

8.  Care  wan  taken  before  coiunaMu^ing  our  local  iuvestigatiims  to  coniplote  our 
personal  knowh^d.ne  of  all  documentary  evidence  to  which  we  could  i>rocure  access, 
incliidiug  the  previous  olhcial  correspondence,  and  a  mass  of  public  and  private 
publications,  <lescriptions,  records,  and  o])iuions. 

'.1.  Kei|ncsts  for  information  were  also  addressed  to  several  countries  outside  the 
probabh^  scope  of  our  jiersoual  in(|uiries,  from  which  collateral  information  of 
importance  could  be  derived.  AVith  the  aid  of  the  Canadian  and  Imperial  (iovern- 
nients,  a  series  of  i|ueHtions  were  sent  to  the  various  (iovernmcnts  who  now  hold 
the  chief  rcsortsof  the  fur-seal  in  the  .Southern  Heniis])h»ire,  namely,  the  Argentine, 
Cruguayan,  Chilean,  and  lira/Lilian  liepu lilies,  and  the  Colonies  of  the  Falkland 
Islands,  the  Cape  of  (iood  Hope,  Tasmania,  New  South  Wales,  Victoria,  and  Now 
Zealand. 

It).  Inijuiries  wore  also  made  for  inforniation  in  regard  to  the  North  I'acitic  seal 
tisheries  to  the  (iovernmcnts  of  Knssia  and  .lapan,  to  Her  ISritannic  Majesty's  (Con- 
suls at  Shaiighae,  Canton,  Honolulu,  and  San  rraucisi-o,  and  to  the  Canadian  Imliiin 
Agents  along  the  coast  of  Hritish  Columbia. 

11.  In  regard  to  ]ier8onal  work,  a  brief  account  of  our  proceedings  will  explain 
the  plan  of  action  ado]ite<l,  and  we  a|)]iend  a  Chiirt  of  our  track.  From  the  (ith  to 
theltth  .July  we  consulted  with  the  Canadian  Ministers  in  Ottawa;  we  then  crossed 
the  continent  by  train,  and  at  A'aneouvcr  and  N'ictoria  held  ((rearranged  interviews 
with  those  who  were  engaged  in  the  (U'actical  work  of  sealing,  and  with  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  I'acitic  Station  an<l  the  jiort  authorities.  So  soon  as  the 
chartered  steamer  "Danube"  could  be  got  ready  lor  sea,  we  left  on  a  direct  course 
lor  the  port  of  Iliiiliuk,  in  I'nalaska  Island. 

12.  The  "Danube"'  nuitle  the  passage  of  about  1,4(>0  miles  in  seven  and  a-half 
days.  After  consulting  at  I'nalaska  with  the  Senior  Naval  Ollicer,  Conunander 
Turner,  of  Her  Majesty's  sliiji  "Nym]»he,''  we  made  the  best  <tf  our  way  to  the 
I'ribylotf  Islands,  where  wo  sjK^nt  several  days  carrying  out  our  tirst  iiisi>ection  of 
the  seal  rookeries  in  comjiany  with  I'rofessor  Menilenliall  and  l>r.  Merriiim,  the 
CommissioiuTs-designate  of  the  I'nited  States,  every  hospitality  and  courtesy  being 
atl'ordcd  by  the  otlicials  lioth  of  the  (iovernment  and  of  the  lessees  of  the  islan<ls. 

lii.  At  this  date  the  rookeries  were  still  at  their  fullest,  and  the  organi/ntion  had 
not  yet  broken  u]>.  After  careful  imj-iiry  into  the  various  <|uestious  connected  with 
the  habits  and  treatment  of  the  steals  on  these  islands,  we  started  on  the  ()th  August 
on  a  cruize  of  l,4r>t)  miles  to  the  eastward  ami  northward  in  comjtany  with  her  .Maj- 
esty's ship  "Pheasant,"  to  satisfy  ourselves  as  to  the  limits  of  tiie  range  of  tlio  fur- 
seal  in  those  parts  of  liehriiig  Sea.  We  visited  the  native  and  other  Settlements  on 
Nunivak  Island,  Cape  Vancouver,  St.  Matthew  Island,  St.  Lawrence  Island,  and 
Plover  15ay  in  Eastern  Siberia, lu'ar  the  entrance  of  Hehring  Straits,  returning  tiu>uce 
for  a  second  ins|(ection  of  the  Pribylotl'  rookeries  anil  to  note  the  dilference  in  their 
a]>])earance  after  a  fortnight's  interval. 

II.  Thence  we  i)roce»Mled  to  Iliuliuk  Harbour,  I'nalaska,  to  conununicate  by  appoint- 
ment with  tlie  Conunanding  Otiicers  of  the  English  and  United  States  war-ships  as 
to  future  movements.  Leaving  that  i)ort  on  the  24th  August  f(U'  the  w(^st\vard  wo 
cruized  ahmg  the  Aloitian  chain,  calling  at  the  Islamls  of  Atka  and  Attn,  on  which 
are  the  only  renuiining  native  Settlenu-nts  in  the  western  part  of  the  Aleutian  chain. 

1.5.  We  then  crossed  to  the  Counuander  Islands,  and  there  receiveil  from  the  Rus- 
sian authorities  every  tacility  and  courtesy  in  our  task  of  learning  all  ','>e  could 
concerning  seal  life  on  those  islamls.  Theiice  we  jiroceedcd  down  the  coast  of  Kaiii- 
Bchatku  to  Petropanlouski,  where  again  the  Russian  authorities  gave  us  every  infor- 
mation. On  this  cruize  Her  Majesty's  ship  "Porpoise,"  sailing  in  company,  proved 
of  the  greatest  assistance. 

It).  Leaving  Petropanlouski  on  the  10th  September  our  course  was  sliajied  for  the 
Pribylotl"  Islands,  so  as  to  strike  them  from  a  westerly  direction,  and  continin)  across 
that  portion  of  Hehring  Sea  our  observations  of  seals  seen  at  sea.  A  third  and  tinal 
examination  of  the  I'ribylotf  rookeries  was  then  niad((  after  a  turther  interval  of 
twenty-six  days,  and  I'nalaska  was  again  r»'aehed  on  the  17th  September. 

17.  Leaving  Hehring  Sea  on  the  20tTi  September,  we  visited  Ki.iiak  Island.  Sitka, 
and  Shakan,  making  imiuiries  of  both  the  native  and  White  residents  .s  to  the  fur- 
seal  fishery  in  this  distant  territory  of  the  I'liited  States.  Coutinnini.c  our  cruize  of 
investigation,  we  called  at  the  following  jdaces  <m  the  coast  of  Hritish  Columbia, 
viz.,  I'ort  Simpson,  M<'tla-katla.  Port  Kssington,  Masset  ((^neen  Charlotte  Islands), 
Bella-Hella,  Niiwitti,  Clayo<|not  Sound,  and  Harelay  Sound,  where,  by  per- 

5  sonal  imiuiries,  we  were  eiiaiilod  to  amplify  the  written  statements  which,  in 
e(mi))lianee  with  our  jtrevinus  re(|uest,  had  been  forwarded  to  ns  l»y  the  Indian 

agents  on  the  coast.  The  Indian  .  ■,  ';lenient  at  Xeah  May,  cui  tlie  Cnitrd  States  siiore 
of  the  Straits  of  I'uca,  was  also  vibited,  whore  we  likewise  ohtaiued  valuable  iufor- 
nuitiuu. 


REPOIJT    OF    HRITISII    COMMISSIONERS, 


15 


18.  The  factK  thiiHobtaiiKMl  aUonltMl  a  ilirect  kiiowlodpo  of  the  fur-Healing  induHtry, 
Ixitli  past  and  ]>n'»  lit,  as  it  atlV-cts  the  ludiaiiw  of  Sonth-east  Alaska  and  HritiHh 

Columbia.  ,       .     ,r.  x     ■ 

m.  W«(<)nii)letf(l  our  lucal  iuvcstitjaHoiis  \t\  (ilttaininjj  from  thesealiTs  lu  >  u-toria, 
Vancouver,  and  Soatllc.  iurtluT  <'vidt«ncr  as  to  their  opinions  and  wishes,  thus  ron- 
<ludin«  our  t.isk  by  obtaining  authoritatively  the  views  of  all  persons  eonneeted  with 
the  fur-seal  fisliery  on  tlie  facts  of  seal  life  and  on  the  protective  measures  they  would 
favour. 

!'(».  T'.iP  cruize  in  the  North  raciiir.  oceui)ied  nearly  three  numths,  and  the  log 
shows  a  distance  covered  of  more  than  (t.OOO  miles. 

L'l.  We  were  thus  enabled  toexainiuo  for  ourselves  all  the  principal  seal  rookeries, 
and  especially  to  insjiect  the  tyjiical  rookeries  on  the  Pribyloll  Islands  at  three 
dilierent  .seasons,  at  the  widest  intervals  of  time  i)ossibh'  within  the  period  at  our 
coiiiiiiand:  to  learn,  by  ])er8oiuil  imiuiry,  knowledge  of  the  limits  eastward,  north- 
ward, and  westward  of  the  jtresent  habitat  of  the  fur-seal,  and  to  satisfy  ourselves  as 
to  the  ])eculiar  features  of  the  localities  which  the  fur-seal  did  or  did  not  select  us 
shore  resorts. 

22.  In  rej^ard  to  the  important  jioint  of  the  facts  and  reasons  of  the  presence  of  the 
fur-seal  in  particular  iiortions  of  the  oce.an  at  particular  seasons  of  the  year,  a  point 
on  wiilcli  we  could  tind  little  or  no  i)revi()us  (lescriptions  or  recorded  observations, 
records  \ver«>  collated  from  schooners  engaged  in  sealing,  and  for  1S!)1  we  formulated 
a  plan  id'  sial  logs  and  seal  track-charts  based  on  recorded  observat  Ions  of  seals  seen 
at  sea,  which  has  been  very  eniciently  carried  out  on  tlu^  Ib'itish  men-of-war 
"Nyiiijdie."  "  I'orpoiso,'' and  "  I'lieasaiit."  and  on  our  own  chartered  steamer,  the 
"Danulie," — similar  work  having  also  liceu  carried  on  by  the  I'nited  States  men-of- 
war  and  revenue-cutters  eni])lo,\  ed  in  Behriug  .Sea  during  the  sanur  season.  For  this 
purpoKtt  also  s]tecial  iniiuiries  were  made  as  to  the  kinds  of  lish  constituting  the 
lavourite  food  of  the  fur-seal.  Photographs  were  also  taken  by  usof  the  seals,  their 
breeding  places,  and  surroundings. 

2.'<.  It  may  be  observed  further,  that  in  obtaining  evidence  from  persons  of  expe- 
rlencoor  knowledge  of  the  subject,  we  ad(>i)t»Ml,  in  gent^ral,  the  informal  jilan  of  free 
intervlew.s  ami  independent  conveisation.  In  this  way  we  ac(|uired  very  distinct 
and  trustworthy  knowledge  of  their  opiiii.-uis  and  experiences. 

21.  'I'lio  witnesses  who  thus  gave  evidence  included  oflicials  of  the  Governments 
anil  the  ('om])anie.H,  iuid  ex-oflicials  now  otliervise  emi)loycd,  owners.  ca])tains  and 
huntern  I'ngaged  in  jpelagic  sealing;  natives,  chiefly  Aluet  and  Hu.ssiun  half-breeds, 
engaged  in  killing  and  skinning  seals  on  the  I'ribyloll  Islands;  natives,  such  as 
Indians,  Innuits,  aiul  Aliu-ts,  who  habitually  hunt  and  kill  fur  seals,  and  merchants 
anil  others  connected  with  the  tradi^  in  furs, 

25.  In  the  following  statenu-nt  of  the  results  of  our  investigations,  we  propose, 
first  of  all,  to  present  in  suunn.'iry,  in  I'art  I,  a  general  view  of  the  conclusions  at 
which  wc  have  arrived  as  to  the  condition  of  seal  life  in  the  North  Pacihc  Ocean,  and 
as  to  the  measures  necessary  for  the,  preservation  of  the  fur-seal  industry. 

We  wo)ild  then,  in  Part  II,  deal  in  a  more  systematic  mai.ner  and  in  detail  with 
the  various  divisions  of  the  Hu)),jeet,  and  subse(|uently  give,  as  Appendices,  sucli  cor- 
respondence and  statistics  us  may  be  needed  to  complete  our  account  of  the  subject 
under  investigation. 


I) 


6 


l»AIM     I. 


SUMMARY  OF  FACTS  AND  CONCLUSIONS. 


iti 


1. — TiiK  Former,  Prksknt.  and  Prospkctivk  Condition  ok  the 
Fur-seal  Fishery  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean. 


Oil 

p 

()\ 
.sil 


HubitM  <it' 
fiir-si'iil. 


MigriitiuiiN 


W  i  11 1  c  r 

H  II  III  111  1'  1- 

lU 


(A.) — General  Cowlitions  of  Seal  Life. 

""'  20.  'A  lie  fnr-sesil  of  the  North  Pacific,  Ocean  is  an  animal 
in  its  natnre  essentially  i)ehi{?ic,  which,  ilnrinj;'  the  j-reater 
part  of  each  year,  has  no  occasion  to  seek  the  land,  and 
vtiry  rarely  does  so.  For  some  iH)rtioii  of  the  year,  however, 
it  naturally  resorts  to  certain  littoral  breedin}"'  places,  where 
the  yonnjj  are  bronj^ht  forth  and  suckled  on  land.  It  is 
{gregarious  in  habit,  and,  though  seldom  found  in  detined 
schools  or  (!(unpa<'t  bodies  at  sea,  congregates  in  large  num- 
bers at  the  breeding  phu'cs.  Throughout  the  breeding  sea- 
son, the  adults  of  both  sexes — if  not  entirely,  at  least,  for 
very  considerable  periods — abstain  from  food,  but  during 
the  remainder  of  the  year  the  seals  are  notably  influenced 
in  their  movements  by  those  of  the  food-tishes  upon  which 
they  subsist. 

27.  kSuch  movements  are,  however,  subordinate  to  a  more 
general  one  of  migration,  in  (!onformity  with  which  the  fur- 
seals  of  the  North  Pacifii'-  travel  northward  to  the  breeding 
islands  in  the  spring  and  return  to  the  scmthward  in  the 
autumn,  following  two  main  lines,  one  of  which  approxi- 
mates to  the  western  coast  of  North  America,  while  the 
other  skirts  the  Asiatic  coast.  Those  animals  wliich  pursue 
the  first- nienticmed  migration-route,  for  the  most  i)art  breed 
upon  the  Pribylotf  Islands  in  summer,  and  spend  the  win- 
ter in  that  ])art  of  the  ocean  adjacent  to,  or  lying  off,  the 
coast  of  Hiitish  Columbia.  Those  following  the  second 
route  breetl,  in  the  main,  on  the  Commander  Islands,  and 
winter  off  the  coasts  of  .Iai)an.  Thecom|>arative  proximity 
of  the  breeding  islands  freipiented  by  the  seals  pertaining 
to  these  two  migration  tracts  during  the  sununer  insures  a 
certain  interrelation  and  interchange  of  seals  between  tlie 
two  groups,  to  an  extent  not  fully  known,  and  which 
dcmbtless  varies  much  in  different  years. 

2S,  The  fur  seal  of  the  North  Pacific  may  thus  be  said,  in 
each  case,  to  have  two  habitats  or  homes  between  which  it 


a  ml 
liiilii- 


-if 


I 


:| 


REPORT    OK    lUMTISlI    (( )MMISSI(>NEHS, 


17 


K  \ 


mijjratcs,b()tli  ecuiiillyiieccssary  toitscxistcnct'  uink'i'i>n*s 
eiit  <'ir(;iiiiistaiK;(.'S,  the  one  IViMnu'iitt'd  in  smiiiiier.  tln'otlier 
duriiif,'  tli«;  winter.  II"  it  were  jiossible  to  (MUilinc  tlie  fnr- 
seiil  to  the  vicinity  ol' tin'  iiortliern  islands  n'soitt'd  to  dtir 
inji;  tim  br«M'din^'  season,  or  evi'n  witiiin  tln^  limits  of  IJeli- 
rinjj  Sea,  the  species  wouhl  iteconie  extinct  in  a  sinj-leyear; 
but  if,  in  any  way,  it  were  to  be  <lebarred  from  reachinfj: 
the  islands  now  ehietiy  resorted  to  for  breedinj;;  jmrpose.s, 
it  wouhl,  aceordinj;'  to  exjjerienct!  re<'or(b'(l  elsewliere, 
speedily  seek  out  other  i>laces  upon  wlii«;h  to  ^iv«'  birth  to 
its  youn^i'. 

-!•.  The  fur-s<'al  of  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  while  rec- 
ognized as  distinct  in  kind,  resenddes  that  of  the  North 
raeilic  in  its  habitual  lesort  to  littoral  breeding;  places  and 
in  other  respects,  but  is  not  known  <o  nn^-rate  rej-ularly 
over  such  j^ncit  trr(^ts  of  sea,  ortt)  have  delinitely  s«'i)arable 
summer  and  winter  habitats. 

;>(».  With  reference  to  the  length  of  the  perittd  (birinjj 
which  the  fur  seals  resort  to  the  shore: — The  breeding 
males  begin  to  arrive  »mi  tin^  Pribylotf  islands  at  varying  •'r"'ii 
dates  in  May.  and  remain  continuously  ashore  for  about 
three  months,  after  which  they  are  freed  from  all  duties  on 
the  breeding  rookeries,  and  only  occasionally  return  to  the 
shores.  The  breeding  fenndes  arrive  for  the  most  part 
nearly  a  month  later,  bearing  their  young  immediately  on 
landing,  and  remaining  asho'e,  jealously  guarded  by  tlie 
males,  lor  several  weeks,  alter  which  they  takc^  every  oppor- 
tunity to  )»lay  in  the  water  dose  along  the  beaches,  ami 
about  a  nu>nth  later  they  also  begin  to  leave  the  islands  in 
search  of  food,  and  migrate  to  their  winter  habitat.  The 
young  males  and  tins  young  females  coim^  ashore  later  than 
the  breeding  seals,  and  at  moie  irregular  dates,  and  "haul 
out"  by  themselves.  Lastly,  the  pups  of  the  year,  born  in 
June  and  -luly, commence  to  '-pod,"  or  herd  together  away 
from  their  mothers,  towards  the  middle  or  end  of  August, 
and  after  that  freiiuent  the  beaches  in  great  nund)ers,  and 
bathe  aiul  swim  in  the  surf.  They  remain  on  the  islands 
until  October,  and  even  >.'ovend)er,  being  among  the  last 
to  h'ave. 

ol.  While  resorting  to  or  remaiiung  on  the  land,  the  fur- 
seal  is  practically  defenceless, and  it  is,  therefore,  on  uidn- 
habiteil  islands  or  rocks  that  Iarg(^  numbers  of  seals  an^ 
known  to  congregate  during  the  breeding  season.  Such 
places  alone  liavo  alfonled  the  necessary  security  from 
various  predaeoous  animals  and  from  man,  and  ail  the  noted 
sea!  "rookeries"  of  both  hendspheres  have  been 
7  found  on  unpeoi)led  insular  areas.     The  latitude  and 

corresponding  elinnite  of  such  breeding  places  has 
doubtless  been  a  circumstance  of  some  importance  in  ren- 
dering certain  localities  (^ongi'uial  to  the  fur-seal,  but  even 
the  single  species  iidiabiting  theXm-th  i'acitie  shows  a  con- 
siderable range  of  adaptability  in  this  respect,  [uovided 
that  thenecessaryseeurityagainst  disturbance  and  destruc- 
tion be  altbrded  for  adults  and  young. 

32.  Until  the  discovery  by  the  Russians  of  the  ('(mi- 
mamler  Islands  in  1741,  and  the  Pribylotf  Islands  in  1780, 
n  8,  i»T  VI 2 


II    t     H      O   II 

\'^  pliices. 


ii   1-  r  <•  ll    1    II  ){ 


18 


HKl'OK'l'   OF    IJKITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


these  weie  doubt le.ss.  in  tlie  averiifje  of  years,  fully  peopled 

witli  seals  up  to  tiie  limits  imposed  by  uatitral  eoixlitioiis, 

«)riuiniiiruiiiii  siicli  as  t'nod  supply,  areas  availabh;  for  breediii;;  ^nauuls, 

li',''/,"','" ''"''''"*•' aiul  the  «!()Uiiterai'tiiit,'  effects  of  dc'stnu'tive  .igeiieies  at 
that  time  atfeetiiifj  seal  life.  Anion;;'  the  latter,  partieular 
mention  may  be  made  of  pr<'<laeeons  marine  aninnds  such 
as  the  killer  whale  and  shark,  and  to  hunting' carried  on  in 
the  southern  porti<»n  of  the  mi{,Mation  ranp!  of  the  seal  by 
various  native  tribes.  These  ajjencies  were  almost  c(nitiii- 
uous  in  their  operation,  but,  in  addition,  certain  occasional 
canses  of  destiuction  of  s«'als  must  not  be  lost  si^ht  of. 
Amonjn' these  aie,  incleuu'nt  seasons  in  which  tlie  breeding 
islands,  or  sonu> of  them,  remained  so  lon^ice -hound  that  the 
females  were  unable  to  lainl  in  time  to  ^ive  birth  to  their 
youn^';  autumn  storms,  fatal  to  younj;  seals,  and  also  the 
recurrent  inroads  of  mui'rains  or  dis«'ases  of  various  kinds. 
Of  the  twoiirstof  these;  last-mentioned  canses,  instances 
which  Inive  resulted  in  .yreat  damage  to  seal  life  hnve  been 
reconled  on  the  Pribylolf  Islands.  In  regard  to  the  third, 
though  elsewhere  observed,  theie  is  a  remaikable  absence  of 
notice  in  the  rt'cords  of  these  islands. 

Niitiirnitiuitiin-  33  The  se|)arate  or  concurrent  effects  of  such  causes, 
even  betore  the  era  of  the  seal  hunter,  must  have  i>rodueed 
great  fluctuations  in  the  total  volume  of  seal  life  in  certain 
j'ears  or  terms  of  years.  There  are  of  course  no  data  avail- 
able in  actual  proof  of  this,  but  that  such  must  have 
occurred  is  sutliciently  obvious  fnmi  analogy  with  the 
known  facts  relating  to  other  animals,  and  particularly 
those  of  a  similar  gregarious  habit. 
iiii.rioiiiue     34.  In  all  parts  of  the  world  the  discovery  of  the  breed- 

<utiuu!s!'''™'""'''  "'S  islands  of  the  fur-seal  has  usually  been  followed  by 
unrestricted  slaughter  upon  these  breeding  places,  and  this 
has  invariably  resulted  in  general  depletion,  often  approach- 
ing extermination,  but  in  no  known  case  within  historical 
times,  has  it  actually  resulted  in  complete  extirpation. 

(B.) — KilUiuj  on  the  Breeding  Jslandg. 


■■I 


J 


V 

ni 
til 


th 

r 


8 


Effects  ol'  kill 
Ing. 


35.  The  discovery  of  the  breeding  islands  in  the  North 
Pacific,  and  the  slaughter  of  seals  upon  them  by  man, 
introduced  a  more  important  factor  in  regard  to  their  seal 
life,  the  general  ettect  of  which,  under  what  regulations 
soever,  tended  inevitably  towards  a  reduction  in  the  aggre- 
gate number  of  seals  freciuenting  the  islands.  In  other 
words,  the  initiation  of  commercial  killing  on  the  breeding 
islands  interfered  with  the  previously  established  balance 
of  nature.  It  formed  a  heavy  new  draft  upon  seal  life, 
while  no  compensating  relief  was  afforded  against  the 
active  depredations  of  other  enemies  or  against  other  nat- 
ural occurrences  which  had  heretofore  set  limits  to  the 
increase  of  the  seals.  Their  former  places  of  secure  retreat 
were  invaded  by  man,  while,  during  the  greater  part  of 
each  year,  they  I'cmained  exposed  on  the  open  ocean  as 
before  to  innumerable  accidents,  and  entirely  beyond  the 
control  or  possible  protection  of  those  in  charge  of  the 
breeding  islands.    The  inroads  of  the  seal  killers  on  the 


KKPOKT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


y  peopl«Ml 
[)iuliti()iis, 

proniuls, 
j'licics  at 
particular 
iiials  Hiu'li 
lied  (III  ill 
le  seal  by 
st  coiitiii- 
iccasioiial 

si;>!it  of. 
!  hrtM'diiiy: 
(I  that  tin; 
li  to  their 
(I  also  the 
)us  kinds. 

instances 
have  been 

the  third, 
absence  of 

jli  causes, 
l>roduced 
in  certaiu 
lata  avail- 
lust  have 
with  the 
»rticularly 

he  bree<l- 
lowed  by 
and  this 
ipjjroach- 
histoiical 
itiou. 


he  North 
by  man, 
their  seal 
gulatious 
le  aggre- 
Ju  other 
breeding 

balauce 
seal  life, 
iust  the 
her  iiat- 
s  to  the 
e  retreat 

part  of 
Dceaii  as 

Olid  the 
e  of  the 
s  oil  the 


19 


islands  iniglit  be  iiioditied  in  kind  or  in  degree,  but  their 
general  tendency  could  not  be  reversed. 

'M\.  The  I'ribyloff  and  Coniiiiaiider  islands  of  the  North  li.uiihitioiiHon 
Tacilic  have,  however,  continued  to  be  the  resorts  of  hirge '"^""""">-' '*'"""'*• 
numbers  of  fur-seals  for  more  than  HK)  years  subsequent  to 
their  discovery  and  occupation  by  the  Kussians.  Almost 
from  the  llrst,  regulations  restricting  the  slaughter  of  seals 
on  land  were  instituted  and  carried  out  by  the  Kussiau 
authorities,  and  similar  measures  have  been  continued  in 
tiic  <'as<^  of  the  Pribylolf  Islands  by  the  (lovernineiit  of  the 
I'liited  Stati's,  Though  continuous,  or  nearly  so,  in  their 
genera!  operation,  such  regulations  have  varied  much  in 
their  nature,  and  even  more  with  regard  to  the  degree  of 
elliciency  with  wliidi  they  liav(!  been  enforced,  and  in  the 
latter  respects  they  have  at  no  time  been  entirely  satisfac- 
tory for  the  puriKtscs  intendc<l. 

.'iT.  During  the  early  years  of  the  Kussian  control,  the  iiiiprnviinniu 
conditions  of  seal  lif»^  were  very  imperfectly  umlerstood,  ""^' ""'"'"""'• 
and  but  little  regard  was  paid  to  tlie  subject.  A  rapid 
diminution  in  the  number  of  seals  Ircciucnting  the  islands, 
however,  eventually  claimed  attention,  and  improvements 
of  various  kinds  followed.  Among  the  lirst  of  the  more 
stringent  measures  adojited  was  tiie  restrictiiui  of  killing 
to  males,  which  followed  from  the  discovery  that  a  much 
larger  number  of  males  were  born  than  were  actually 
8  required   for  service  on   the   biee<ling  "rookeries." 

The  killing  of  females  was  practi<;ally  forbidden  on 
the  Pribylotf  Islands  about  1847,  and  on  tlie  Commander 
Islands  probably  about  the  same  date. 

38.  The  obvious  fact  was  also  recognized  that  the  killing 
for  food  alone  v  .'  large  numbers  of  young  seals  or  '-piiiis," 
when  their  skins  came  to  jiossess  no  commercial  value,  was 
a  useless  waste  of  seal  life.  On  the  ("ommander  Islands 
this  practice  ceased  after  the  year  1874.  It  was  strongly 
])rotested  against  as  early  as  187r>  on  the  I'ribylott"  Islands, 
but  was  not  actually  forbidden  there  until  the  year  1891. 

.59.  The  number  of  seals  annually  killed  on  the  I'ribylotl'  ymniiors  Uiii- 
Islands  during  the  earlier  years  of  the  Kussian  regime  is  J',','„! 
not  accurately  known,  thouyh  fairly  exact  statistics  are 
extant  fnmi  the  year  1817.  Suflicieiit  is  known,  however, 
to  show  that  the  number  killed  in  various  years  before  this 
date  ditlered  widely,  and  was  in  some  years  excessive. 
The  whole  numbers  of  seals  killed  in  certain  terms  of  years 
has  been  recorded  with  approximate  accuracy.  A  study 
of  the  figures  thus  available  indicates  that  the  average 
annual  killing  during  the  twenty-one  years,  1 787  to  1800, 
both  inclusive,  was  about  r)0,()00;  during  the  nine  years, 
from  1807  to  181(5,  it  was  approximately,  47,500;  and  dur- 
ing the  years  from  1817  to  18(i0  was  25,000. 

Combining  the  whole  period  covered  by  the  figures  above 
quoted,  and  adding  the  year  in  which  the  islands  were 
discovered,  Ave  find  that  the  killing  on  the  PribylotJ"  Islands 
averaged  for  this  term  of  eighty-om^  years  about  34,000 
annually. 

The  e\ai!t  figures,  in  so  far  as  these  can  be  obtained,  are 
given  iu  a  tabular  form  (§771). 


(Ill  tlm  I'riliy- 
'  lolV  Islaud.s. 


20 


RKPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


.  InrrfiiRr  in  lat 
er  M'lii ■^^  ol'  tills 

Millll  lO^hlll'. 


tiiMitrnW  '  "ill  '**^'  ^^^^  oxcesHive  killiiif;  of  s«>als  in  certttiii  years  of  the 
uuili'iai'i'ViMiix.  '  Russian  i»«'rio«l  of  i-oiitrol,  tojj;etlu'r  with  tlie  nearly  pro 
niiscuons  slaii^iitcr  (for  tlie  tirst  ]>artof  tliis  peritxi)  of  8<-als 
of  both  .sexes  and  all  a;;es,  doubtless  had  much  to  do  with 
the  alarniiiijjf  decrease  in  .seal  life  which  occurred  more  than 
once  during:  tins  ])eriod.  It  is  to  be  noted,  lio\v<n'er,  in  this 
eonnectioii,  tliat  as  both  nudes  and  fenuiles  continue  to  be 
l)rodncti\e  as  breeders  lor  a  nundter  «)f  years,  the  elfect  of 
excessive  kiilinj;'  of  any  paiticidar  t-lass  of  seals,  su(;h  as 
youii;;'  maiesor  youn«' females,  for  two  or  three  consecutive 
years,  could  oidy  produce  it;s  full  etfect  on  the  breedinj^' 
"  rookeries"  aftei'  the  lapse  of  four  (U-  live  years. 

It  is  thus  instrwctiv*'  to  oi)ser\('  that  even  to  maintain 
the  comjiaratively  htw  avt'raye  nundter  killed  durin;^'  the 
Russian  period,  it  was  fouiKl  absoluti-ly  necessary  on  .sev- 
eral occasiiuis  to  institute  periods  <tf  rest  or  *' /apooska," 
iu  which  all  killing'  of  .seals  was  prohiltited  for  some  yi'ars. 

•II.  It  is  also  noteworthy,  tliat  for  many  years  jtrevious 
to  tlui  close  of  the  Iiusssian  control  (pntbably  from  about 
184li)  under  a  more  cidi^hteiu'd  system  of  inana;;'ement 
than  that  of  the  earlier  years,  the  nundiei' of  .seals  resortiufj' 
to  th(!  islands  was  sIowl.\-  increasin.y,  and  that  the  averajiv 
number  taken  annually  was  gradually  raised  durinj;'  these 
years  from  a  very  low  lijiure  to  alxuit  .SOjOOO,  without 
apparently  reversing;'  this  steady  improvement  iu  the  num- 
bers resortiii}4'  to  the  islands. 

42.  Iu  l.S(J7,  the  last  year  of  the  Ku^ 
and  j^reat  increa.se  in  the  take  of  .sea 
occur,  and  the  nund)er  aio.so  abrupth 
7r»,(K)(). 
Stalls  4.'{.  In  the  next  year,  beinjn'  the  lirst  in  which  the  Priby- 
lotf  Islands  ]»asse<l  into  the  control  of  the  United  States, 
an  almost  promiscuous  .slaujihter  occurred,  in  whi«-h  it  is 
estimated  that  over  l.'4J,0(t<>  seals  were  killed,  in  IS()!> 
about  87,000  seals  in  all  were  killed,  making"  an  averajie 
number  for  each  of  the  three  years,  1807  t(»  1800,  of  over 
130,000,  and  includinj^"  large  numbers  of  females. 

44.  The  elfect  of  the  irregulai-  and  excessive  killing  on 
the  breeding  islands  in  these  three  years  (long  before  pe- 
lagic sealing  had  grown  to  be  of  any  iniportaiu'c)  became 
'•{  »x- api)arent  in  two  ])rincii»al  ways:  (I)  the  number  of  seals 
""*■'"  dinunished  on  the  bieeding  islands  to  an  extent  much 
greater  than  could  be  a<'counted  for  by  the  actual  number 
slaughtered,  and  at  about  the  .same  date  the  seals  were  .seen 
in  unprecedented  abundance  otf  the  Hriti.sh  Columbian 
coast  to  the  southward  (facts  clearly  shown  in  the  diagrams 
and  by  ligures  elsewhere  given  for  the  catch):  (2)  the  num- 
ber of  young  produced  in  the  three  following  yeai's  wi!S 
nuich  less  than  before,  and  this,  in  conjunction  with  the 
extraordinarily  high  limit  of  100,000  allowed  by  law  to  be 
taken  each  year,  commencing  in  1871,  speedily  brought 
about  a  very  marked  deci'case  in  males  of  killable  age. 
Thus,  in  187r>,  notwithstamling  the  generally  optimistic 
tone  maintained  in  otlicial  rei>orls,  we  tind  a  lirst  signiticant 
note  of  warning,  and  economy  of  seal  lii'e  is  inculcated.  In 
the  same  year  the  number  of  skins  obtained  was  consider- 


in  tenure,  a  sudden 
kins  was  allowed  to 
11  this  year  to  about 


Viiitoil 
contrul. 


Kited  8 
I'l'srtivc    si 
tcr. 


''/ 


,* 


REI'OnT   OF    HRTTlHfr    C'OMMTSSTONFRS. 


21 


aiia^'i'iiH'iit 
s  resoi'tiiif*' 


t',  a  sudden 
allowed  to 
II'  to  about 


al)l.v  reduced  in  face  of  a  steady  inaikct,  and  before  tlie 
decline  in  piicesof  the  two  suec'ced  ill};  years,  wliicli  d«'cline, 
no  doubt,  accitunts  in  part  for  the  still  smaller  nuiuber  of 

skins  taken  in  these  (wo  years. 
1»  4-*.  It  is  ]»aiticularly  iin|iortan(  t.)  note  the  efleel". 

of  tlie  excessive  killiu}''  of  the  years  lS»i7-»iH-j»!>, 
which,  coinl)ined  with  those  ensuin};  front  tiie  slau^iiiter  of 
male  seals  of  particular  ajjes  in  various  years  (  )  IS7<i.  can 
l>e  closely  foUoweil,  chietly  by  means  of  Captain  Hryant's 
intelligent  notes  on  this  period,  which  are  elsewhere  sum- 
marized (^  SU)  I't  Kflj.). 

•t(i.  It  is  clearly  apparent,  and  is  borne  out  by  tin'  ''^pt'- ,i„V.[.',["*)',;^  ',',''^'; 
rieme  of  later  years,  that  any  severe  disturbain-e  of  Ihetm'i.niMr.^ 
natural  conditions  on  the  breediii};  islands  is  at  once  re 
I  I'cted  in  ( hanj-es  of  habits  of  the  seals  and  in  the  ii're;,'u- 
laritiesand  oveihijipin},' of  dates  in  the  annind  ey<'l<' <>f  seal 
I'fe.  Sucli  chanji'cs  are  not  i)revcnted  by  the  restriction  of 
killinj;  to  in;d«'s,  for  an  excess  in  'iup'  :er  of  nniles  is  a  part 
of  the  natuial  conditions;  and  any  cliai!<jein  the  pro]»ortic>n 
of  males,  even  ')X  not  pushed  so  fu"  as  to  beconu'  in  itself  a 
cause  of  decrease  in  nnnd)ers  born,  constitute.*  a  true  cause 
of  ehanye  in  liabits,  and  has  a  very  special  etfect  on  the 
time  and  i»la(eof  landing;' of  the  females  (i  ."iOO  <t  .seq.).  An 
i'xcess  in  numlier  of  males,  vitli  the  consciuent  competiti(»n 
for  females,  must,  in  all  probability,  further  be  rej^arded  as 
a  jirovision  f'  /  niaintaininj;'  the  strenjith  of  the  lace  as  a 
whole  l)y  means  of  natural  selection,  and  in  the  case  of  the 
fui'  seal  it  is  n(»t  jjossible  t(»  substitute  for  such  provision 
the  artificial  selection  of  breeding  males,  as  is  done  with 
animals  under  the  control  of  man. 

47.  In  1S7(»  the  I'ribylotV  Islands  were  leased  by  the  iciiii 
Inited  Stat<>s  to  the  Alaska  Commercial  Company,  and  the 
nund)er  of  seals  to  be  killed  for  skins  was  fixed  ein])irically 
at  1(Kf,(K»(»  annually.  This  number  was  admitted  at  the 
time  by  the  l)est  antlanities  to  be  experimental  (§§  SIO.  S15), 
and  it  was  ])rovided  by  Congress  that  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasniy  might  reduce  the  ninnber  allowed  for  killing  if 
found  necessary,  for  the  sake  of  preserving  the  seals  and 
with  proportionate  reduction  of  rent.  Practically,  how- 
ever, and  on  giounds  not  publicly  explained,  it  remained 
unaltered,  and  became  a  lixed  limit. 

4cS.  As  early  as  I87.">  and  ISVt*  the  number  thus  estab  ii'imhi.,;  u, 
lished  was  otlh-ially  reported  as  being  too  great,  but  it  was 
not  reduced  or  changed  during  the  entire  twenty  years' 
term  of  tlie  lease,  exceiit  by  an  alteration  made  in  the  rela- 
tive jiroportii^iis  to  be  killed  on  St.  I'anl  and  St.  (leorge 
Islamls  in  1S74,  when  also  the  time  during  which  the  kill- 
ing for  skins  might  progress  was  extei  (led, 

4!t.  The  limit  thus  lixed  did  not  incnde  seals  killed  lor 
food  at  seasons  or  of  ages  at  which  the  skins  wer«'  not  mer- 
chantable; and,  as  a  result,  the  total  iccorded  take  of  seals 
on  the  islands  in  each  full  year  of  the  lease  but  three, 
actually  exceeded  10(),(H)().  'Of  these  three  exceptional 
years,  one  falls  below  100,000  by  a  very  small  amount  only, 
while  two  are  considerably  below  it.  Thus,  exidiidiiig  the 
tirst  year,  the  number  known  to  have  been  killed  in  each 


:it  lull  iii'ii. 


liiu'li 


Ac'IiimI   killi)!!; 
fNri'cdi'.l  Idiu.oi). 


22 


REPORT   OP    nniTISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


IJeporlH  ; 
inisatisl'ai' 
(lata. 


illnrd 

I  II IV 


V.  V  i  d  on  ( 
nlliiT  l>ini's. 


of  the  niiu'teoii  sueroodiiip:  yoiirs  of  tlio  lease  avomgea 
103,147.  The  oHicial  tigiircs  lor  tlie  entire  twiuity  years  of 
the  lease  further  show  that,  diiiiny  this  term,  lL'!>,."»;iO  seals, 
iacliuliiif?  about  1>3,(K)(>  uuweaued  youu,u',  or  '"jiups,"  were 
iiilled  for  food  or  otiierwise,  of  whicli  tlie  skins  wore;  not 
nuirketahle;  this  waste  alone  boinj.;'  more  than  7  i)ei  eeut. 
of  the  whole  nund)er  killed. 

r»0.  These  totals,  however,  do  not  include  seals  lost  or 
d('stroy««<l  in  various  ways  ineidentiil  to  the  modes  i)rae- 
tised  in  drivin,y;  and  killing'  (§  70 1  c<  .scf/.),  nor  those  taken 
or  killed  in  raids  (§  727  rf  sni.),  or  other  ille<<al  ways  eon- 
sequent  on  the  iinpert'eet  ])roteetion  of  the  isiiinds.  These 
together  would  raise  the  ligures  rei)resenting  the  annu;d 
killing  by  ii  very  iiniterial  though  unknown  aniount.  Lieu- 
tenant >raynai(l,  in  h's  report  written  in  1874,  estimates 
the  total  nuinbei'  of  seals  killed  eaeh  year  about  that  date 
at  112,000.  According  to  Bryant  (''Monograph  of  North 
American  I'innepeds,"  p.  410),  the  total  number  of  seals 
actually  killed  u\Min  ihv  islands  during  the  first  six  years 
of  the  Tnited  States  control  amounred  to  110.000  annually. 

51.  The  killing  since  lS(t7  of  so  large  a  nund)er  of  seals 
on  the  J'ribylott'  Islands  thus  <'onsti'uted  a  drafr  on  their 
seal  life  of  a.  character  never  before  attempted,  and  more 
than  twice  as  great  as  any  similar  demand  of  which  com- 
parable records  have  been  i)reserved;  the  annual  average, 
as  above  stated,  for  the  ])revious  eighty  vears,  having  been 
about  ;!4,000. 

52.  The  various  reports  on  the  condition  of  the  seals 
resorting  to  the  Pribylolf  Islands  in  different  years,  and 
other  ])ublished  inlbrmation  bearing  on  the  same  subject, 
are  often  contradictory,  and  sometimes  so  nianitestly  inac- 
curate, particularly  in  respect  to  the  crucial  ])oint  of  the 
nund)er<)f  seals,  that  it  is  ditlicnit  iVoni  these  alone  to  form 
any  satisfactory  or  coherent  idea  of  the  actual  state  of  seal 
life  during  much  of  this  jjcriod.  These  discrei>ancies  in 
l)art  arise  from  tin; frequent  changes  whi(di  occuired  in  the 
personnel  of  the  Ciovernment  Agents  and  Company's  offi- 
cers, in  consequence  of  which  no  single  nietlnxl  of  ascer- 
tiiining  the  condition  of  the  "lookeries,"' or  of  estimating 
tlienuinber  of  seals  fre(|uenting  tlie  islands,  was  long  inain- 
faine<l:  in  part  from  the  a])pearance  in  several  cases  of  the 

same  individual,  now  in  the  ciipacity  of  an  employe'' 
10        of  the  Company,  and  again  as  a  supervising  officer 

of  the  (lovenum'nt.  There  are  also,  unfortunately, 
certain  groui)s  of  years  during  which  no  seiious  attempt 
appears  to  have  been  made  to  re<'ord  the  tiue  coinlition  of 
the  breeding  islands.  This  is  piirticnlarly  the  case  in  years 
lu'tweeu  18S0  and  ISSO. 

5;{.  The  killing  on  the  islands  was,  however,  by  law  con 
lined  to  nnde  seals,  and  it  is,  rather  from  the  collateral 
evidence  afforded  by  allusions  to  the  ])roportion  of  virile 
males  to  fenndes,  together  with  (»tln'r  incidental  reference's, 
the  nu'aning  wi' which  becomes  clear  when  coupled  with 
local  knowledge,  than  lV(»m  nmny  of  the  direct  statements 
published,  that  a  true  idea  of  the  actual  condit'iui  of  seal 
life  on  the  islands  during  these  years  cau  be  formed. 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


23 


■  yt'ars  of 
ViO  seals, 
l>s,"  were 
wi'iHi  not 
pel'  cent. 

Is  lost  or 
U's  idiic- 
>se  taken 
vaj's  con- 
!.  These 
e  annual 
it.  Licn- 
I'stiniatcs 
that  (late 
of  North 

■  of  seals 
six:  years 
annually. 
•  of  seals 

on  their 
and  more 
liicii  com- 

averaji'e, 
viiij'been 

tiie  seals 
[ears,  and 

subject, 

tly  inac- 

it  of  the 

e  to  form 

e  of  seal 

iiK'ics  ill 

cd  in  the 

ny"s  olli- 

of  ascer- 

tiniating^ 

tn^  niain- 

;es  of  the 

einployt' 

ig'  ollieer 

tunately, 

attempt 
idition  of 
'  in  years 

law  con- 
■oUaleral 
(»f  virile 
ferenees, 
ded  with 
dements 
n  of  seal 
id. 


r»4.  The  proper  proportion  in  number  of  virile  males  to ^^  ^J';"^P'''''.i''"s  "f 
adn't  fenmles  is  a  matter  (d"  importance,  and  in  estimates, 
ina<le  while  the  rookeries  of  the  Pribylotf  Islands  ^yere  still 
in  excellent  condition,  there  is  a  satisfactory  measure  of 
afii't't'1116'd  «»n  this  i)oinf.  IJiyant  placed  this  proportion  at 
one  mah.  to  nine  to  twelve  females,  while  Klliott  states  the 
mean  nund)er  of  females  in  a  harem  in  J872-74  at  from  five 
to  twenty  (••Monograph  of  North  American  Pinnei>eds,"p. 
A\)0;  United  States  Census  iJejiort,  p.  3(5).  M.  (Jrebnitzky, 
Superinteiidentof  theConnnander  Ishuuis,  and  a  naturalist 
of  pre  eminent  experience  in  the  facts  of  seal  life,  iid'ormed 
us  that  when  the  ja-oportrou  of  females  exceeded  ten  to  each 
mature  mah',  he  considered  that  too  many  males  were  being 
killed,  and  that  each  harem  slumld  in  no  case  contain  more 
tiian  twenty  females.  When,  therefore,  we  lind  the  harems 
in  the  I'ribylott"  Islands  growing  yeaily  larger,  till  at  the 
present  time  tiiey  surpass  the  proportions  al»ove  mentioned 
from  tour  to  »'i,i;lit  times,  it  is  reasonabk'-  to  conclude  that 
in  liiis  change  tlieeifectof  an  excessive  slaughter  of  young 
males  is  rendered  api)aient. 

r»5.  ( )ur  own  and  all  other  local  observations  on  the  rook- 
eiies  during  tiie  last  i'ewyears  prove  that  it  is  nouncommon 
event  to  tind  a  single  male  seal  witli  a  harem  numbering 
from  forty  to  tifty,  and  even  as  many  as  sixty  to  eighty, 
females. 

")(!.  Further  evidenc<>  with  the  same  meaning  is  alTorded  iiirtii.iscmrcps 

1         ,1  •  •  1  L'  1  J-  1  1        j-i  !•       "'   iiiliiriM:ilii)ii. 

by  tlie  increasing  number  ot  barren  lemales;  by  tlie  <lis- 
turbance  and  cjiange  in  tiie  habits  of  the  seals;  by  the  a<'tiial 
deartli  of  ''kiliabh.'"  seals  in  the  vicinity  of  the  nearer  rook- 
eries, and  the  extension  of  dri\  ing  (as  early  as  l>S7t)(>r  l.SSO) 
to  ]>laces  which  had  ])reviously  been  held  in  reserve  and 
which  had  seldom  or  never  been  drawn  u]ion  in  earlieryears; 
l»y  thediiving  of  "killables"'  from  the  very  margins  of  the 
breeding  rookeries,  wiiich  should  have  remained  undis- 
turbed; by  the  longer  ii  me  during  which  the  killing  re(piired 
to  be  continued  in  later  years  in  order  to  enable  the  full 
(|unia  to  he  oittained,  and  by  the  larger  number  ol'  under- 
sized and  otherwise  ineiigibh^  animals,  including  females, 
rnthh>ssly  diivt  n  up  in  recent  years  and  tniiie<l  away  iVom 
the  killing  grounds  in  an  exhausted  and  bewildered  if  not 
actnally  injured  stide.  The  ]»roportion  tlms  turned  away, 
accordiny  t(t  tlie  re]Hirt  (d"  the  Special  Treasury  Agent  in 
ISiiO,  actnally  rose  to  i)()  jier  cent,  of  the  whole  number 
driven. 
oT.    A   ci'itical    investigation  of  the   i)nblishe(l   matter,  _.  Ih'I;'.;! 

together  with  the  i-\  i«lence  personally  obtained  from  many 

sources  and  an  examination  of  the  loenl  details  of  the  rook- 
eries and  hauling  uiounds  on  ti.e  rril)ylolf  Islands,  h'ads 
UN  to  believe  that  tiiere  has  been  a  nearly  continuous  deteri- 
oration  in  the  condition  of  the  rookeries  and  decrease  in  the 
number  of  seals  l'ie<iueiitiiig  the  islands  from  the  time  at 
which  tliese  )»assed  under  tlie  contrcdof  the  rniteil  States, 
and  that  although  tiiis  decrease  may  possibly  have  been 
iiiterru|>ted,  ov  e\ en  reversed,  in  some  specially  fa vo; 'able 
years,  it  was  nevertheless  real,  and  in  the  main  persistent. 


liiiMi'il  ill' 


iiiii- 
■act'. 


•1 


24 


Ximilier  fi  xr<l 
for  killin!;  too 
liiKh. 


Not  iidaiitalilr 


iiEPORT  OF  imrrrsH  commissioxehs. 

/jS.  There  can  1)0  no  doubt  Uuit  the  nuinber  lixcd  liy  law 
and  nuiintaiiied  foi-  coiiimt'icial  killiiiy  on  the  breeding 
islands  has  been  inuch  too  j>r(;at,  and  that  the  resulting 
slaughter  of  nioretiian  1().'>,()(M>  male  seals  in  each  year  has 
been  more  than  the  total  volume  of  seal  life  could  fairly 
stand.  The  sparing  of  IcMuales  in  ji  degree  i)revented,  for 
the  time  being,  the  actual  de])lction  of  seals  <»n  the  islands, 
and  this,  with  tlu^  fact  that  the  killing  of  immature  males 
does  not  immediately  produce  its  elfecton  the  "rookeries," 
caused  the  apparent  decrease  to  be  at  first  gradual.  As, 
however,  this  elfcct  was  of  a  cuuuilative  character,  it  could 
not  very  long  escai)e  observafion,  and  it  was  observed  by 
the  natives,  as  w(!  ixTsonally  ascertained  iVom  them,  to  be 
distiiutt  and  serious  at  least  as  early  as  1<S,S2  or  1883,  while 
Colonel  .Murray,  the  (jovernment  Agent,  and  ]\Ir,  Elliott, 
the  Special  Treasuiy  Agent,  in  their  several  repoits  to  the 
Treasury,  trace  the  beginning  of  the  notable  diminution 
back  as  far  as  187!)  or  1S8<».  Other  evidence  of  a  circum- 
stantial lather  than  a  direct  character,  elsewhere  detailed, 
enables  the  earlier  effects  of  the  general  decrease  to  be  fol- 
lowed still  further  back  (§  (571  ct  .vtv/.). 

5!).  It  is  ])articularly  necessary  to  note  that  the  adoption 
of  a  high  lixcd  numbei'  to  be  killed  each  year,  ])ractical]y 
l)revented  such  a  system  of  ada])tabie  control,  based 
11  on  the  observed  facts  of  each  year,  as  would  have 
enabled  the  best  results  to  ha\  e  been  obtained  and 
due  provision  to  have  been  made  in  time  to  counteract  the 
effects  of  unfavourable  seasons  or  of  otiier  extraneous  con- 
diti(»ns  affecting  seal  life.  The  system  adopted  was  in  fact 
l)urely  artificial,  and  one,  not  suited  to  the  natural  re<iuire- 
meiits  of  the  case. 


■^ 


SI 


(C.) — Sraliufi  (it-  S)(i. 

Poia^'icsraiin,!.'     (iO.  l-'roiu tlic circuinstauccs abo vc uotcd, the majiit cuaiice 
an.rtiMMiraiinu,^j^  •  *i>^i'i*'^\'ii«  threatened  and  reduced 

to  a  critical  state  in  conse(|iieiice  of  tlu^  methods  adopted 
on  the  breeding  islands,  where  the  seals  were  dra\vn  upon 
annually  to,  and  even  beyond,  theiitmost  limits  possible 
apart  from  depletion,  and  where,  in  conse«iuence  of  the 
enlarged  season  of  commercial  killing  and  the.  allowance 
of  ''  food  killing"  during  the  entire  time  in  which  any  seals 
resorted  to  tlui  islands,  these  animals  had  practically  no 
undisturbed  season  of  n  spite.  .\t  this  time  a  new  factor 
also  tending  towards  d(  crease  appeared  in  the  form  of 
''ju'lagic  sealing,"  a  jdirase  api)lied  specially  to  tiie  hunt- 
ing of  the  fui  s«'also!i  th(M)pen  sea,  schooners  or  other  small 
vessels  being  employed  as  a  ba-^e  ol'  operations, 
lis  criniii  ami  (11.  Tiiis  pai'ticuhir  method  of  sealing  originated  as  a 
''''"■'"'"""'"■  natural  outgrowth  from  that  iiractised^froni  time  imme- 
morial by  the  natives  of  the  coast  of  Jbitisli  Columbia,  and 
partsofkSouth-eastern  Alaska  and  the  Htate  of  Washington. 
In  this  industry  these  natives  ha\e,  I'rom  llit^  lirst  been 
largely  interested,  though  it  has  be<'n  taken  uj),  Ibstered, 
and  directeil  by  the  Whiles.  It  was  thus  in  its  mode  of 
origin  a  perfectly  natural  and  legitimate  de\-elopmeiit  of 
the  nati\e  modes  of  hunting  (i  .571.  ct  .vtv/.). 


REPORT  OF  uritish  commissioners. 


25 


il  by  law 
hrot'diiijf 
lesulting 
year  lias 
lid  fairly 
II tod,  for 
)  islands, 
iro  luaics 
ok  cries," 
lal.  As, 
,  it  could 
crvod  by 
2111,  to  be 
s;3,  •while 
\  Elliott, 
ts  to  the 
miiiiitioii 
I  circuiii- 
dctailcd, 
to  be  fol- 

adoptioii 
■actically 
•ol,  based 
aid  have 
incd  and 
cract  the 

.'OUS  COll- 

is  ill  fact 
reduire- 


tciiancc 

reduced 

adopted 

VII  U|)oii 

possible 

of  tlie 

owaiice 

iiy  seals 

(•ally  no 

\v  factor 

ibriii  of 

ic  hiuit- 

icr  small 

ed  as  a 
I',  iiiuiie- 
bia,  and 
niiii;;toii. 
•st  been 
bstcrcd, 
node  of 
liiicnt  of 


r»2.  Pelagic  sealing,  as  thus  by  dc/jfrecs  expanded  into  an 
important  industry,  was  an  essentially  novel  metlnxl  of  tak- 
ing th«^  fiirseal  eoiisiMpicnt  on  the  i)eeuliar  habits  and  mari- 
time genius  ot  the  native  peojilcs  of  the  west  coast  ot\North 
America,  and  ])articnlarly  ot'those  in  Ibitish  Columbia,  and 
the  vicinity  of  Cai»e  I'lattcry  in  the  adjacent  State  of  Wash- 
ington. It  was  from  the  fiiot,  and  still  is,  an  imjiortant 
sonrci'  of  revenue  to  a  native  i)opulatioii.  numbering  many 
thousands,  as  well  as  a  help  to  tlicir  ad\anccnient  in  civili- 
zation. 

»».'{.  Tiider  the  circuiiistances  above  described  as  ])revail- 
iiig  on  the  breeding  islands,  tlie  growth  of  this  new  industry, 
liowever,  meant  a  further  a(!celeratioii  of  the  rate  of  dimi- 
nution of  tli<^  I'll!'  seal  of  the  North  I'acilic  as  a  whole. 

M.  The  liuntiiiii'  of  the  In  r  seal  bv  the  native  peoples  ii:  inciip.i.u.ht 
their  own  canocN.  and  using  tiie  siiore  as  a  base  ol  opera- 
tions, had  been  practised  troin  times  whicli  are  inehistoiic 
for  the  \\"esr  Coast:  Imt  the  total  nnrubcr  of  seals  thus 
taken  (save  in  ccitain  exceptional  years)  was  always  small, 
and  it  was  not  till  about  the  year  ISO'.)  that  the  Inst  practical 
essays  were  made  in  taking  the  seals  at  sea  with  the  assist- 
ance ol' schooners  i)iovid('(i  with  Indian  hunling  crews  and 
canoes.  This  method  of  liunting  was  initiateil  almost  siiiiid- 
taneously.  about  the  time  mentioned,  in  British  Columbia 
and  in  the  adjacent  State  of  Washiiiiiton. 

(i.j.   Ir  may  liere  be  paiticulaily  noted  that  the  industry     i' 
thus  developed  in  conse(|uencc  ot  i»eciiliar  local  coii(liti(»iis,  i|'..',',j,,J 
had  never  elsewhere  appeared  as  a   factor  of  commercial 
imjxtrtaiicc,  and  that  in  so  far  as  we  lia\('  l»een  able  to  dis- 


iil'    |ii'hi 


ihiir 


lib 


ui'M-i  i»,>  iimuun-.^  .->|M-i  iiiii_>  directed  to  this  ])oiiit,  no  ves- 
sels carrying  hunters  ibr  the  pnrp<tsc  of  taking  seals  at 
large  on  the  sca-surlace  had  e^er  befo;-'  frequented  any  seas 
anywhere. 

The  vessels  sailing  from  New  Mnglainl  and  froiu  some 
British  ports,  whicli  Ibrinerly.  in  considci  al)le  nnmbers, 
made  sealing  voyages  to  the  Southern  Ilemisplieie  (  i  s;U 
ef  .S77/.),  slaughteri'd  the  seals  there  only  on  shore  and  at  the 
breeding  ])laces,  and  this  without  any  respect  Ibrtlie  rights 
of  t«'rritorial  dominion  or  pro]»erty  over  the  islands  they 
fre(iuent;'d.  The  '•  sealing  licet  "  eini)Ioye(i  in  the  Sontheni 
lleniis])herc  has,  theretbre.  at  no  time  been  of  the  same 
character  with  that  engaged  in  jielagic  sealing  in  the  North 
I'acitic. 

<i(l.  For  several  years  subsequent  to  its  inception,  ])elagic 
sealing  remained  in  the  hands  of  a  few  ])ei'soiis,  and  was 
to  so  great  an  extent  a  trade  secret  that  little  intbrm.'ition 
can  now  be  obtained  respecting  it.  This  is  particularly  the 
case  in  regard  to  llie  sealingvessels  sailing  frcnn  I'liitcd 
States  ports,  some  of  which,  although  interested  in  pelagic 
scaling  proper,  are  known  to  have  obtained  many  skins  by 
illegal  raiding  on  the  breeding  islands  liom  tiie  earliest 
years  of  the  control  of  these  islands  by  the  I'nitcd  States. 

(»7.  From  four  sciiooiuMS  in  1S7.-'.  and  1S7!»  (about  which 
tini<>  tli(>  new  de\elopinent  oi'  sealing  first  began  to  attract 
some  atlentioiiK  the  sealing  licet  owned  in  Uritish  Colum- 
bia gradually  increased,  till   in   iss'.Mweiity  three,  in   ISIM) 


lis  i;r 


26 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


First      |ii 
si'iiliiij;    ill 
riuii  M  Sen. 


I;iui< 

Itrll 


jli  twt'uty-iiine,  iiiid  in  1801  fifty  vosscls  were  cmploypd 
in  it.  So  far  as  iviiown,  tlie  lirst  of  tlusso  vcssel.s  to 
enter  IJcliring  Sea  lor  i»m'i)ose.s  of  s<'jiliiifi  was  tlie  '•  Mary 
Ellen,"  in  18S1.  In  ISS")  two  of  tlie  liri.Msli  Colnnibian 
vessels  continued  their  voyage  into  lieliring  Sea.  and  in 
the  following  year  the  entire  fleet,  then  nninbering  eighteen 
vessels  (excepting  two  which  were  WTecked  ,  did  so. 

The  fifty  vessels  employed  in  ISitl  were  provided  with 
.')7()  boats  and  c^anoes,  and  were  manned  by  l,().s;>  VVhitt-N 
ami  ln<lians. 

•18.  The  nnnd)er  of  skins  thus  obtained  grew  in  pro)>or- 
tions  corresponding  to  the  growth  of  tlie  Meet  from  .'J.^.'UO 
in  188J)  to  4;$,;ur»  in  181t0,  an<l  to  U»,Gir.  in  ISOI.  Only  a 
jHtrtion  of  these  catches  were,  however,  made  within  lieh- 
ring  Sea,  and  of  this  portion  an  in<;reasing  percentage  was 
obtained  in  the  western  region  of  that  sea. 

()!>.  At  least  one  vessel  registeied  in  tlie  Uiuted  Stat<'sis 
known  to  have  entered  Hehring  Sea  for  legitimate  pelagic 
sealing  as  early  as  1881,  and,  in  this  ])articnlar  extension 
of  the  indnstiy,  the  British  Columbian  sealers  cannot 
tlierefore  claim  to  be  the  j)ioneers. 

70.  The  I'nited  States  have  for  many  years  ]>ast  strenu- 
ously endeavoured  to  build  up  native  maritime  industry. 
In  this  ])elagic  sealing  they  undoubtedly  have  on  tlie 
Pacific  coast  a  usclul  nursery  for  seanu'n.  The  industry 
of  whaling  has  shown  a  serious  falling  off  in  recent  years, 
but  that  of  sealing  has  exhibited  a  marked  an<l  steady 
increase.  In  1885  there  were  not  ten  vessels  so  employed. 
In  1S!H  the  sealing  fieet  owned  in  the  I'nited  States  num- 
bered more  than  forty  vessels,  and  the  value  of  the  catch 
is  repented  to  have  exceeded  .'K),(MU(/. 


I).) — -.[(hlifional  j)oints  connected  iritJi  Sc.aJhuj  at  Sen  or 

on  Shore, 


Vtpcrvn  s 
srrvcil  (111 
iitr  Islaiiil 


V    n  1)  - 
I'liliy 


Mi'nsiir 
tiscil  to  ( 
<|Uiilu 


lit  II  in 


71.  The  decrease  in  the  number  of  seals  resorting  to  the 
Piibylolf  Islands  is  leported  to  have  been  more  rapid  since 
188()  or  1887,  and  this  has  been  attril)uted  to  the  giowtli  of 
]»elagie  sealing.  At  the  same  time,  the  chief  complaint 
Inis  l)een  tliat  a  great  proportion  of  the  seals  taken  at  sea 
are  females,  Avhereas  the  most  noti(H'able  decrease  observed 
(»ii  the  islands  is  in  males.  While,  tlierefore,  it  may  be 
admitted  that  ]>elagic  sealing  must  be  held  accountable  lor 
its  share  in  tiie  total  ellect,  the  .above mentioned  incom- 
patible complaints  cannot  b(^  leceived  without  (juestion. 
When  a  decrease  be<'ame  apjiarent  on  the  islands,  pru- 
dence should  have  dictated  some  ciirtailiueiit  of  the  annual 
slaughter  there  in  corresjiondeiice  Avitli  the  elfect  of  tiie 
new  factor  tending  towai'ds  diminution. 

7l!.  No  such  curtailment,  however,  occurred.  The  Com- 
pany holding  the  lease  of  tliese  islands  on  fixed  terms  were 
not  interfered  with,  but  continuetl  to  take  their  full  legal 
(juota  <d"  skins  without  regard  to  the  risk  to  seal  life  as  a 
whole.  Not  only  so,  but  instead  of  redu<'ing  Ww.  catch, 
the  standard  of  weight  of  skins  taken  on  the  islands  was 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


27 


M 


steadily  lowerod  so  as  to  include  a  youiijier  class  ot*  seals 
under  tlic  desij-natiou  of  "  killahles."  Instead  of  skins 
ueij^iiiii;;'  7  or  S  lbs.,  those  of  o  lbs.  and  (as  we  have  ascer- 
tained on  excellent  authority)  even  of  4  lbs.  an<l  of  'A.\  lbs. 
have  been  taken  and  were  accepted  by  tlie  Company  as 
early  as  1.S89. 

Tliis  is  in  nuirked  contrast  Avith  the  conduct  of  alVairs  on 
the  ('oinmander  Islands,  where  no  seals  yieldiiiji'  skins 
bel(>w  7  lbs.  in  weight  have  been  allowed  to  be  killed  for 
some  years,  and  wliere  in  J8iM,  in  order  to  afford  a  factoi' 
ol  safety,  tin*  limiting-  Aveight  of  skins  was  raised  to  8  lbs. 

7."».  TJie  Company  holding  tlie  lease  of  the  I'ribyloft' 
Islands  had,  of  course,  its  <»\vn  interests  in  view,  and  the 
]ieriod  of  its  lease  was  thawing  to  a  close;  but  it  must  be 
added  that  no  explanatioa  has  been  oftered  by  the  (Jovern- 
ment  Agents  in  charge  of  the  islands  of  tlu;  ])rinciples 
under  whicli  they  were  guided  to  allow  this  loweiiug  of 
stan<lai'ds,  with  tlie  concomitant  encroachment  on  the 
linnts  of  l)reeding  ro(»keries,  und  the;  extension  of  the  area 
of  driving  to  i»laces  liithei  to  held  in  reserve. 

7-1.  Summarizing  the  causes  of  waste  of  seal  life  involved    wnst,. 
in   the  nu'tiiods  act'.ndly  ]nactised  in  killing  seals  on  the 
Pribylolf  Islands  (§  VuA)  it  .s<y/.),  we  lind  the  following  to  be 
the  most  serious: 

(i.)  The  killing  of  unweaned  "pups"'  and  of  "stagey" 
seals  f(U'  "  food,''  which  together  readied  an  averagt;  amount 
('(pnilling  7  i)er  cent,  of  the  total  annual  catch.  Tiie  skins 
of  such  seals  are  unmerchantable,  and  their  slaughter  is 
now  admitted  to  be  unnecessary,  but  it  has  been  allowed 
to  continue  till  the  year  18!U. 

(ii.)  Accidental  killing  of  seals,  due  to  over-driving,  and 
other  violence  inseparable  from  the  mode  of  "driving" 
and  clubbing  the  seals.  These  evils  had  been  fully  dealt 
with  bv  the   I'nited  States  Special  Agent  in  his  report 

for  ISJMt. 
l.'>  (iii.)  "'Stampedes''  ui)ou  the  breeding  rookeries, 
caused  by  elforts  to  secure  "diives"  to(»  close  to 
their  borders,  or  to  (carelessness  of  vari(»us  kinds.  Thes«^ 
ar<'  especially  destructixe  to  '']»ui)s,''  which  are  trami)led 
to  death  by  the  ohler  seals. 

(iv.)  lOlfects  (»f  distuibance  on  (lu^  breeding  rookeries, 
and  of  distress  and  Iright  resulting  from  "dri\  lug,"  which, 
it  is  believed,  causes  many  niotheis  with  young,  as  well  as 
other  classes  of  seals,  to  leave  the  l)ree(ling  islands  pi'c- 
maturely. 

(V.)  Surreptitious  killing  of  s<m1s  by  unauthorized  jier- 
sons  <»n  the  islands.  This  may  not  liaAc  reached  great 
dinuMisioTis.  i)nt  is  known  to  have  occurred,  and  no  statis- 
tics can  be  obtained  respecting  it. 

(vi.)  liaids  upon  the  rookeries,  rendered  jiossible  by  the 
laxity  of  control  and  supervision,  which  prove  most  de- 
structive to  all  classes  of  seals  engaged  in  breeding,  and 
especially  to  nursing  nutthers  and  "juips." 

7;"),  The  ollicial  statistics  show,  besides  the  seals  killed 
of  whicli  the  skins  were  accepted  for  shipment,  only  those 
killed  lor  "  food,"  and  of  wLicli  the  skins  were  rejected. 


<ii'  seal 


28 


TIRPORT    OV   BUTTlSir   ('OMMISSIONKRS, 


Diltic 
ri'f^iihitiii 
Killiiii:. 


lilt  X    III 

H  •'Imrc 


AI1<>> 

.-rjllll^-. 


;il  ion.' 
prlauii 


K  II  I  i  I 

Iriiiiilrs. 


All  \ho  iiicidciitiil  causes  of  loss  alMtvc  iioNmI  nrv  iiiiar.- 
counted  for,  and  the  acfiial  pcrceiita/^^'oC  wastaj^c^  in  swur- 
in^,"  tlio  annual  (pnita  ol  skins  siiire  tlic  Alaska  piircliase 
thus  itMnaius  indctcrniinatt',  hut  must  lia\<'  hcen  jiicat.  It 
is  believed  to  have  exceeded  10  ])er  cent.,  and  may  well 
ilav«^  reiU'hed  20  pe'-  cent.  (»ii  (he  wlioh',  numlx'r  oC  skins 
accepted. 

7(5,  It  ia  thus  dear  that  tlie  slanyiiter  ot  seals  ui)on  the 
breedinfi'  islands  is  in  itself  an  essentially  <'rilical  and  daii- 
{jeious  method  of  killiiiji',  wiiich,  althoii}>h  <'slablislie<l  by 
louji"  custom,  can  scarcely  lie  otlierwise  iiistified.  Xo  lej;- 
iilations  wlii(di  have  hcictoi'mu'  been  (levised  have;  even 
theoretically  removed  such  danjrers.  Till  <|iiite  recently, 
111  together  insuflicieiit  care  has  bc(>n  exercised  in  carrying;' 
out  existinji'  rejiulations;  and  tln^  facts  al»o\{^  icferred  to 
show  clearly  in  wiiat  way,  notwithstandini;'  stated  rules, 
and,  in  ilu^  absence  o!"  thoroujjjlily  inde])endent  and  trained 
supervision,  such  rules  may  be  so  interpreted  or  strained 
as  to  iierniit  the  most  serious  damafi'e  to  seal  life  as  a  whole. 

77.  A.uainst  tlie  methods  of  pelagic  sealing' two  principal 
lines  of  criticism  and  of  attack  have  been  dexcloped.  and 
both  have  been  so  ])ersistently  iiigcd  in  vari<»us  ways,  that 
they  ajijx'ar  to  have  achievc'd  a  dej;rce  of  recoj;iiition  by 
the  uninfoiined  altogether  unwarranted  by  the  facts,  in  so 
far  as  wc  have  been  able  to  ascertain  t*  mi,  though  in  both 
there  is  an  underlying  measure  of  truth.  It  isstate«l(l) 
that  almost  the  entire  pehigjc  catcii  consists  of  females; 
(2)  that  a  very  larg<'  jiroiiorlion  of  the  seals  actually  killed 
at  sea  are  lost. 

7S.  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  a  considerable  ])ropor(ion 
of  the  seals  taken  at  sea  are  females,  as  all  seals  of  suit- 
able si/eare  killed  without  discrimination  of  sex.  This  is, 
in  i»iirt,  however,  a  direct  corollary  of  the  extent  and 
methods  of  killing  upon  tliebree('-iig  islands,  where,  pi  act  i- 
caliy,  ill  late  years,  ail  males  reaching  the  shore  have  been 
legally  killable,  and  where,  as  ;>  matter  of  fa(;t,  nearly  all 
the  young  nnilcs  which  land  have  been  ]iersistently  killed 
for  some  years,  with  the  necessary  result  of  leaving  fewer 
killabl(>  males  in  jiroportion  to  lemales  (o  be  taken  at  sea. 

79.  The  ])recise  bearings  on  the  industry  as  a  whole  of 
the  character  and  compiisition  of  the  pelagict  catch  made 
along  varioTis  parts  of  the  coast  and  in  i5ehi'ing  Sea  are 
discussed  at  greater  length  elsewhere  (^  <».').'?  ft  .svy/.),  but  it 
may  be  here  noted  (hat  the  great  sur})lus  of  females,  result- 
ing (Voiii  the  practice  just  alluded  to,  has  certainly  ren- 
dered the  killing  of  considerable  numbers  of  these  at  sea 
less  harmful  in  its  ctfect  than  it  might  otherwise  have 
been. 

SO.  To  assume  that  the  killing  of  animals  of  the  female 
sex  is  in  itself  reprehensible  or  inhnman,  is  to  make  an 
assumiition  alfectiiig  all  cases  where  animals  are  preserved 
or  domesticated  by  man.  Most  civilized  nations,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  <lictates  of  hninanity  as  well  as  those  of  self 
interest,  make  legislative  provision  lor  the  i)rote<'tion  of 
wild  animals  during  the  necessary  periods  of  biingiiig 
forth  and  of  rearing  their  young;  but  the  killing  of  lemales 


'$ 


RI.PORT    OF    IJRITISir    COMMIRSION'ERS. 


29 


:('  an 
'vvhI 
cord- 
sol  f 
>n  of 

miles 


is  uiiivcrsiilly  iecoK'ni/.t'«l  iis  ])(>nuissibl('  ifonly  to  preserve 

the  iioiiiiiil  i>roi»(»!tioii  of  tlie  sexes,  Tliis  is  tiie  enso  in 
ill!  iiistiiiices  of  };iUiio  ju'escrvatioii  and  stock  laisiiij;,  and 
in  the  ]>aiticular  exanii.leof  the  fur  seal,  it  is  nunicricaliy 
dciiionstial)i(^  (liaf,  in  inaiidaininj;'  a  constant  total  of  seals, 
a  certain  proportion  of  females  should  be  annnally  avail- 
aide  I'or  killinj;'.  Tlie  killinj;-  of  ^ra\id  females  iinist,  how- 
ever. Ix^  deprecated  as  specifn-ally  iiijnrions,  anrl  in  any 
in<'asnres  proposed  for  the  i-e^^iiiation  of  seal  hnntinj; 
shonid  receive  special  attention. 

81.  i;es|iectin.i;' the  nnnd»(M' of  seals  lost  after  hein;^- killed 
sit  sea,  a  larj^e  mass  of  evidence  has  been  a(tcuninlate<I,  ii<)t 
alone  directly  from  th(>  pela.yic  sealers  j)i()per,  bnt  als(» 
fn»m  indeiKiident.  native  husiters,  both  Indian  and  Alent, 
and  from  olher  sources  of  a  disinleiested  chaiiU'ter.  The 
result  of  this  {;des  to  show  that  the.  asserted  wasteliilness 
of  the  mi'thods  employed  is  gravely  e.xajij^erated  by 
11  common  report,  and  that  there  has  been  marked 
imi)rovement  in  this  I'espect  due  to  the  inci'easinj;- 
ex)>evieiM'e  of  the  hunteis  ()  ('>]'■'>  ct  si(j.). 

<S2.  Aj-ainst  this  e\|)ert  testimony  we  hnd  scarcely  nion; 
than  sui>p()sitilions  statements (| noted  and  req noted,  which, 
when  (raced  back  (o  their  sources,  art;  dis<',overed  to  rest 
either  on  very  limited  expeiience  or  t)n  xcry  doubtful  au- 
thority; in  s<»me  of  which  tll(^  niimlterof  seals  lired  at  is 
hopelessly  I'onfnscd  with  the  nund)er  killed,  while  in  others 
it  is  e\  en  assumed  that  the  number  of  roninis  of  ammuni- 
tion disi)o,-edof  rei)resents  the  numbei' of  seals  killed.  We 
have  thoujiht  it  well  to  follow  up  all  the  statements  ujion 
which  tlK'se  alle<;alions  an<l  hypothetical  calcnlalions  are 
based,  and  practically  all  of  these  are  summarised  else; 
W'heie  (§  ()14),  and  call  Ibr  no  further  comment  here.  It  is 
certain  that  inex]H'iience<l  hunters  miss  many  seals,  an<l 
lose  u  consiih'ralde  proporticui  of  those  hit,  but  such  pnicly 
ne,uative  results  cannot  rightly  be  assumed  to  have  any 
beaiinj^-  on  the  lunnber  lost,  by  skilled  hunters,  such  as  con- 
stitute the  crews  of  the  successful  sealers. 

8.">.  .More  recently  a  further  accusation  has  been  mad(^ 
against  the  practice  of  jiela^^ic  sealin,y,  to  the  elfeet  that 
large  munbers  of  lenniles,  with  young  upon  the  breeding 
islands,  are  killed  at  sea,  and  that  in  conseipience  nniny  of 
the  young  die.  The  consideration  <»f  this  ])oint  involves  so 
many  laets  of  seal  life  that  it  cannot  be  treated  at  length 
here;  but  it  maybe  mentioned  that,  when  upon  the  Priby- 
lolf  Islands  in  i8!).l,  weoursel\-es  were  the  llist  to  note  and 
to  <lraw'  attention  to  the  occurrence  of  a  considerable  mim 
ber  of  dead  ''imps"  in  certain  i»artsof  the  rookery  grounds. 
\arions  explanations  of  this  iiw.t  were  oifered  by  the  resi 
dents  of  the  islands,  both  Mhites  and  Aleuts,  but  in  no 
instance  was  the  killing  of  th(>,  mothers  at  sea  at  lirst 
voluntarily  advanced  by  them  as  a  inincijial  cause.  The 
actual  circumstances,  closely  inv((stigated  by  us,  were, 
indeed,  such  as  to  <'all  tor  sonu'  other  ex])lanation,  as  else- 
where detailed  (4  .'U4  ef  nc<i.).  It  is,  nevertheless,  (certain 
that  mothers  are  sometinu's  killed  at  sea,  es[)ecially  in 
l>roximity  to  the  shore  fronts,  and  it  is  chielly  upon  this 


I'l  ri  I 


iil^i:!'  lost 
s  Uilli.l. 


M.irl 
vimii 


;ilitv  cif 

u. 


30 


UKI'ORT    ol'    niirilSlI    CniMl.SSlONKUS. 


Illll  If. 


{•touihI  a  radius  of  i)r(»(('('li(»ii  about  tin?  brtM^diiij;  islands, 
oxtciidiiin'  iK'yoiid  liic,  ordinary  limit  of  Unritorial  Juris- 
diction,  is  advoralcd  as  a  nicasurt?  of  material  Ix'iicifit. 
kiVki  .ir  IiIkIi  8-1.  In  additifui  to  the  circumstances  oiitainin;;'  on  the 
breedint^  islands,  and  the  iui-eption  and  jurowtli  of  |)ela,yi<; 
scalin;;',  the  liijili  prices  rnliii};'  Cor  sUins  durinu'  the  past 
lew  years  lia\<?  to  a  c(»nsidcrable  extent  stimidated  the 
hnntinj>  oi'seals  by  natives  all  alonf^tlK?  coast.  They  liavo 
also  tended  to  incite,  on  the  part  of  t\w  more  lawhvsa 
sealers,  raids  upon  the  shores  of  tlu^  breeding;'  islands 
themselves,  many  of  which  have  proved  su(  :!(!ssfnl  in  con- 
so(|U('nce  oi'  the  wholly  inade<pnitc  protecti()n  which  has 
her(?tofore  been  a<'cor(led  to  these  shores;  but,  so  far  as  we 
have  been  able  to  ascertain,  no  schooners  sailing;'  from 
British  (%»lnnd)ia  under  the  liritish  llaj;'  have  even  been 
detected  as  i)articipiliits  in  such  raids  on  the  I'ribylolf 
islands. 


Si'iilrt 
ill;;  more 


Itcroin- 
pi'litKir. 


M.irctl 
round  lit 


inn  I 


(I''-.) — Foninf  and  itrvHciit  Coii'lHioii  of  ttw  Iiidiixtry, 

S.').  Perhaps  the  most  notable  result  of  the  above-men- 
tioned co-operatinji'  causes,  embracing;'  the  disturbance  of 
conditions  on  the  breedin;;"  islands  consecjuent  on  close  and 
])ersisteut  drivinj;'  and  .yreat  paucity  of  males,  on  raids 
made  upon  the  shores  of  the  islands,  and  on  huntin;;'  at  sea 
durinjn'  th<'  northward  juinration  of  the  seals,  has  been  to 
render  that  animal  even  more  than  before  strictly  pelayie 
in  habit. 

S(t.  Seals  not  actually  engaged  in  l)rce<ling,  including 
young  seals  of  both  sexes  ami  bairen  or  unimitregnated, 
though  mature  females,  have  either  not  landcil  upon  the 
islands,  or  have  remained  ther(i  for  but  a  short  time;  and 
thus  the  aggregate  number  to  be  seen  on  shore  at  any  one 
time  has  of  late  years  become?  notably  reduced. 

ST.  At  the  same  time,  the  general  consensus  of  the  state- 
nu'iits  obtained  from  persons  occui)ied  in  i»elagi(t  sealing 
goes  to  show  that  there  has  been  no  similar  decrease  in  tlu? 
number  of  seals  found  at  sea,  but  rather  a  ])ossible  increase 
during  the  corresponding  years.  The  evidence  of  a  gen- 
eral kind  to  this  etfect  does  not  stand  alone,  but  is  fully 
eonlirmed  by  an  analysis  of  the  annual  eateli  of  the  British 
I'olumbian  sealing  tieet  for  the  past  few  years,  as  exhibited 
in  the  subjoined  table,  in  which  the  average  number  of 
skins  obtained  to  eaiih  canoe  or  boat,  and  to  each  man 
employed  in  the  pelagic  sealing  industry  is  given : 


LS 


Your. 


:  Xiinilii'v  of 
!    Souls  |)<'i- 


NuinbiTiif 
SfiilM 


li<S7. 

18811. 
IHDO. 
1891. 


104 
I4;i 
l.-iU 
lUO 
liU 


66 
55 
58 
59 
46 


HKI'OliT    <>l"    UKITISir    COMMISSIONKKS. 


31 


M  ore      "  Ji  ly 
lliaii  tiii'iiM'i'h . 


Weatlier  iuid  other  obvious  circmiistiiiiri's,  iiu'lii(liii<; 
those  coiiueeted  wiMi  the  uucertiiiii  still  us  of  tlie  seah'is  in 
lespeef  to  sei/un'.  h;i\e  of  (louise  iillected  the  li};ur«'S  foi' 
the  Viirious  years  to  a  eousideialih',  extent ;  hut  speakinj^ 
{generally,  tlu^  nvsnlts  sliow  a  reniarkabh'  uniformity,  and 
taking  into  consideration  tlu'  measures  adopted  in  IS'.tl 
under  the,  iihkIks  Tirtiiili,  Wh'  results  of  pehifiie  sealinj<  in 
this  year  are  parti«!uhirly  noteworthy  and  to  tlie  point,  see,- 
inj;  tliatol'the  lifty  schooners  emph>yed,  nearly  all  weic 
turned  l»ack  before,  the  expiry  of  tlie  usual  hunting  season. 

<S<S.  At  sea,  however,  it  is  generally  acknowledged  that 
the  seals  are  ])e('oining  from  year  to  year  mon'  and  nunc 
dillicult  of  api)roacli  and  eaptuie,  IUcIh  sj)ecially  noted  by 
the  native  independent  hunters,  becaus*-  si)eciallyall'ecting 
tlii'ir  catch  by  reason  of  the  greater  distance  from  shore  to 
which  it  is  now  necessary  to  go  in  search  of  seals. 

S!>.  While,  therefore,  it  is  (;ertain  that,  in  recent  .Vt'i'i'^i  „„"'|I'[i "",',',"," 
the  number  of  seals  to  be  found  upon  the  Piibylolf  Islands 'i'mLhhIh.'  ' 
has  very  considerably  decieased,  it  is  uncertain  to  what 
extent  this  i)articular  deeiease  has  been  compensat<'d  for, 
or  is  counterbalanced  by  the  greater  disp«'rsion  of  seals  at 
sea.  I'luler  all  the  circumstances,  it  must  be  (Muisidered 
as  a  remarkable  evidence  of  tlu'  resistance  of  seal  lite  to 
unfavourable  treatment,  that  the  apparent  decrease  upon 
the  islands  has  not  been  even  greater. 

!l().  Respecting  tin,'  actual  amount  of  this  decrease  upoi. 
the  I'ribylolf  Islands,  it  is  dillicult  to  arri\e  at  anything 
like  precise  conclusions,  in  conse(|uence  of  the  lack  of  trust- 
worthy eviden<'e  of  a  com])arable  nature  for  the  various 
years.  A  study  of  the  available  i)ublished  data,  made  in 
eonnection  with  a  ]iersonal  examination  of  the  various 
breeding  grounds  tluMuselves,  has  convince<l  us,  however, 
that  some,  if  not  all,  the  estimates  of  the  total  nund)er  ol' 
seals  made  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  term  of  the  Alaska 
Commercial  Company  have  been  greatly  exaggerated,  while 
reports  made  in  1890,  however  accurate  in  themselves,  have, 
because  compared  with  these  overdrawn  estimates,  exag- 
gerated the  amount  of  the  decrease. 

!>1.  The  alaiining  forecasts  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
breeding  islands  based  upon  reports  ma<le  in  lSi»0,  have, 
fortunately,  not  been  veritied  by  the  facts  in  l.S!»l,  as  per- 
sonally observed  by  us.  If,  indeed,  the;  correctness  of  some 
of  these  reports  for  I.SIH)  be  admitleil,  the  i'(»okeries  nnist 
have  materially  improved  in  condition  in  ISitl,  while  all 
the  evidence  collected  indicates  that  they  were,  in  ISOl,  in 
at  least  as  good  condition  as  they  were  in  the  preceding 
year. 

02.  On  the  Commander  Islaiuls,  where  the  breeding  rook-  (.',''"',',"!''',",",'."' 
eries  have  undoubtedly  been  mon^  (iarefuUy  and  systemat-  iHi'i'n'.ia.'"" 
ieally  supervised,  the  nunibei'  of  seals  seen  has  gradually 
increased  for  many  years,  and  has  in  late  y<Mirs  a[>i)arcntly 
held  its  own  up  to  the  i)resent  year,  in  which  a  de(!rease 
has  been  noted.  There  is  reason  to  belitive,  however,  that 
the  increase  ceased  in  1»89  or  iSltO,  and  was  replaced  by  a 
delicit  in  1891  in  consequence  of  the  nund)er  of  skins  taken 
iu  the  two  foregoing  years,  which  greatly  exceeded  the 


32 


REPORT   OF    BRITLSH    COMMISSIONRRS. 


Kitrts  lit  sell 
mill  iiHlioto  riiiii 
lileiiiuiitary. 


(ri'iieral 
rliiHiiiiiH. 


Possihio  result 


IndiiHlriiil  con 
sidiriiticiiis. 


av'eraffe,  prcsuiiuibly  bi'c.iu.se  these  years  were  the  last  of 
the  Alaska  Coimuercial  < 'oiiipaiiy's  lease  of  these  islands. 
Keasoiiable  ])roof  is  thus  again  ailordetl  thar  the  sum  total 
of  seal  life  on  the  breeding  islands  is  all'ei'ted  niost  directly 
by  excessive  killinji"  on  shore. 

!K{.  In  nearly  ail  that  has  heretttfore  been  written  on  the 
far-seal  of  the  North  Pacific,  attention  has  bctMi  too  nar- 
rowly cotdined  to  such  observations  as  could  be  made  upon 
the  breeding  islands,  and  the  fact  that  tln^  greater  part  of 
the  life  of  the  seals  is  spent,  not  upon  tiiese  islands,  but  at 
large  on  tiie  ocean,  has  been  to  a  great  extent  lost  sight  of. 
This  naturally  happened  from  tlic  circumstance  that  those 
in  any  way  interested  in  the  seals,  till  the  beginning  of 
pelagic  sealing,  remained  upon  the  breeding  islands,  and 
knew  merely  what  could  be  ascertained  tlierc.  The  <lata 
now  obtained  at  sea,  foi'  tin;  lirst  time  enables  the  migra- 
tion routes  and  the  winter  as  well  as  the  summer  habitat 
of  the  fur  seal  to  be  clearly  understood,  and  it  becomes 
evident  that,  in  c(msidering  the  condition  of  seal  life  as  a 
whole,  we  must  in(;iude,  not  only  tlui  observations  made 
on  the  islands,  but  also  the  complenu>ntary,  and,  in  part, 

countervailing,  facts  noted  at  sea. 
1(5  '.)4.  A  review  m  detail  of  all  the  available  facts, 

most  of  which  iiave  been  alluded  to  or  outlined  in 
the  foregoing  part  of  this  summary,  leads  us  to  believe 
t'.iat  there  has  been,  in  the  main,  a  gradual  reduction  in 
the  total  volume  of  seal  life  in  the  North  Pacific,  dating 
back  to  a  period  approxinnitely  coincident  with  the  excess- 
ive and  irregular  killing  on  tlu^  Pribylolf  Islands  in  1S(»7  to 
18G1>,  but  tliat  this  reduction  in  total  volume  has  not  in  late 
years  been  nearly  so  rapid  as  the  observed  decrease  in  mini- 
bers  upon  the  Tribyloff  breeding  islands  in  the  correspond- 
ing years.  Such  a  review  suggests  that  if  suitable  aud 
moderate  regulations  be  now  adopted  and  carried  out,  the 
decrease  may  be  arrested,  and  no  danger  of  the  ])roximate 
depletion  of  the  fur-seal  or  destruction  of  the  fur-seal  fishery 
need  be  anticijiatcd. 

or*,  if,  however,  the  indexible  and  heavy  draft  on  seal 
life  in  tlie  past  should  be  maintained  on  the  breeding 
islands,  whih^  pelagi<;  sealing  also  continues  to  increase  at 
the  i^resent  ratio,  it  is  practically  certain  that  the  whole 
number  of  seals  must,  in  the  course  of  a  few  years,  become 
further  reduc('<l  to  such  a  dcgiee  as  to  cause  the  industries 
based  upon  their  capture  to  lose  all  importance  from  a 
conunercial  point  of  view.  Tiie  continued  undue  disturb- 
ance of  the  seals  must  likewise  tend  to  cause  them  to 
abamlon  tlu'ir  ]>rcscnt  haunts. 

90.  A])art,  therelbre,  from  such  merely  ethical  consider- 
ations as  have  from  time  to  time  been  advanced  in  favour 
of  the  preservation  of  the  fur-seal,  but  which  appear  to 
have  no  special  bearing  upon  this  more  than  on  any  other 
animal  in  a  state  of  nature,  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  fur 
of  the  seals  together  with  the  material  interests  involved 
in  the  taking  and  the  dn'ssing  of  the  skins,  seem  to  call  for 
such  regulations  as  may  result  in  th«  uiaintenauce  of  tke, 
tishery. 


"'V 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    C0MMISSI0NEH8. 


8S 


i 


07.  A  point,  liowt'vcr,  of  j;riiv<5  but  iinrecojiiii/i'd  iiiipor- 
tiincc,  is  tlic  direct  iiitliU'iice  on  tlio  soalin;;'  industry  of  the 
market  for  soal-skins'.  It  is  necessary  to  rt'nu'iuber  that 
the  reipiirenients  of  tliis  market  may  from  time  to  time 
altojjetlier  alter  the  re^iidationsuecessary.  In  the.  Atlantic 
liairseal  fishery,  for  instance,  the  international  refjulations 
l)ecame  subjeirt  to  the  new  recinirements  of  a  jtrocess  by 
which  the  hair  of  newlyliorn  seals  became  commercially 
valuable.  Ayain,  the  actual  i»rice  of  the  skins  at  anyi)iir- 
ticidar  ]»erio(l  depends  larj^ely  upon  the  uncertain  require- 
ments of  fasiiion;  and  it  is  known  that  the  Alaska  Com- 
mercial (Company,  recoffiiiziny  this  fact  when  les.sees  of  the 
Pribyloff  Islands,  by  various  more  or  less  direct  methods, 
did  imu'-h  to  popularize  and  increase  the  market  value  of 
the  seal-skins,  of  which  in  the  earlier  years  of  their  lease 
they  held  a  practical  monoj)oly. 

'.KS.  To  render  tiiis  point  perfectly  clear,  it  is  only  neces- 
sary to  (juote  the  following;'  expressions  from  the  report  of 
the  ('onf^ressional  (Jomnntte*!  of  1870  on  the  Alaska  Com- 
mercial C<unpaiiy: — '*  Every  art  and  api>lian(;e  and  much 
nutney  have  been  expended  in  the  cultivation  of  a  taste  for 
seal  skin  furs,  whicli  the  Alaska  Commercial  (Company  had 
almost  the  exclusive  control  over.  .  .  .  By  placing*  on 
sale  a  larj>er  nund)er  of  skins  than  was  rerpuied  the  i)rices 
obtained  would  bo  lessened,  and  the  popular  estimate  of 
this  luxury  depreciated,  so  tluit  its  ])resent  value  would  be 
endangered  and  a  chanjie  of  fashion  probal)ly  effected, 
<livertinj>'  it  to  sonu.'  other  fur,  which  udj^ht  ruin  the  trade 
alto}>ether.'' 

1)1).  The  hi<;h  pri<;e  obtainable  for  the  skins  in  recent 
years  has,  however,  been  in  itself  a  i»rincipal  cause  of  the 
increased  activity  in  killing  and  hunting  which  now  ap- 
]»ears  to  threaten  the  industry.  If,  for  any  reason,  the 
])rice  of  seal  skins  should  fall  below,  or  even  nearly  to,  the 
amount  of  the  G»»vernment  tax  (10  dol.  L'.">  c.)  payable  on 
skins  under  the  new  lease  of  the  I 'ribylolf  Islands,  then,  on 
the  one  hand,  the  lessees  would  no  longer  lind  it  remuner- 
ative to  continue  taking  seals  on  shore,  and,  on  the  <»ther, 
the  ])rotits  (tf  sealing'  at  sea  would  l)ecome  so  much  reduced 
as  to  discourage  further  enterprise  in  this  direction. 

1(K).  It  would  thus  appear  that,  as  nnitters  stand,  a  most  ^  HfKiiiaiioiiH 
inlluential  factor  in  respect  to  the  fate  of  tlui  I'ur-seal  tishery 
is  one  altogether  removed  from  natural  facts  of  seal  life, 
and  that  either  the  deunnid  for  sealskins  as  a  wlnde,  or 
the  sjtecial  size  or  kind  of  skins  called  for  by  the  market, 
nniy  at  any  time  be  changed  in  su(di  a  manner  as  to  intro- 
duce new  deterndning-  factors  in  the  industry.  It  is  there- 
fore evident  that,  in  a  matte.  (»t  such  considerable  import- 
ance, some  additional  and  possibly  couideracting  system 
of  regulation  of  an  intelligent  kind  is  desirable;  that  this 
should  include  a  consideration  of  the  industrial  features  of 
the  case  as  Avell  as  of  thos(^  relating'  to  the  fur-seal  as  an 
animal,  and  should  be  susceptible  of  constant  adaptation  to 
]thc  changing'  recpiirements  of  the  problem. 

B  S,  PT  VI 3 


tlfHiralilr 


T 


34 


RKPOHT   or    IJHITISII    COMMISSIONKR8. 


II.— CoNSlDKRATloNS    UEI.ATINC}     TO     TIH;    BASIS 
U1'0>J     WIIK'II     rRKCAlTKtNS    MAY    UH    DHVISKI) 
•   I'Oll   Till'-    rifKSKKVATION    OF    IlIK    I'UU  SEAI-. 


Till'  raw  to  III' 
lint. 


T  II  t  ircwl  H   at 
sra  iitiil  jihIkii'i'. 


fnpi 
liUij-uil. 


Oil     tlu!     I'lillV- 

liilV  iHlaiuls. 


101.  Tlio  ciisi'  to  be,  iiict  ill  tlie  North  Pacific!  is  outlined 
in  tlie  lorcjioinj^  |>iirii<;iiii)lis,  iiii<l  is  treated  in  j;ieater  <le- 
tail  in  Tart  II  of  tins  Ik'eport.  JJioadly  stated,  it  is  tliat 
too  many  seals  ai'e  or  may  be  killed,  tiiat  there  are  too  few 
males  on  the  breedinj;"  islands;  and  that  the  seals. ')eiii<4' 
so  eontinnally  liarass«'d  and  disturbed,  may  take  to  otlu'r 
breedinu'  and  feedinj^'  places,  or  larjjely  diminish  in  iinm- 
bers,  and  in  eithei'  case  endaiij;er  and  dama^ic  the  existing 
sealinji'  indnstries. 

(A.) — Iiilcrcsfs  i)iri)lritl. 

102.  In  rejiard  to  interests,  the  scalinju:  industry  is  nat- 
urally divided  into  what  may,  for  the  sake  of  brevity,  bo 
termed  tlu^  shore  and  o(!ean  interests  respectively.  The 
rijjhts  in  either  case  are  indis])utable,  and  the  ])ossessors  of 
one  class  of  these  rights  will  not  willingly  allow  them  to 
be  curtailed  or  done  away  with  for  the  mere  purpose  of 
enhancing  the  value  of  the  lights  of  their  eommereial  rivals. 
Thus  the  only  basis  of  settlement  which  is  likely  to  be  sat- 
isfactory or  i)ermanent  is  tiiat  of  mutual  concession,  by 
nu'ans  of  reei])roeal  and  e(iuivalent  curtailments  of  rig'it, 
in  solar  as  may  b<^  necessary  lor  the  preservation  of  (he 
fur-seal. 

lo;i.  It  may  bo  added,  that  the  line  of  division  between 
the  shore  and  o<;ean  interests  is  not  an  international  one, 
and  that  the  (luestion  of  coiiipromise  as  between  the  two 
industries  cannot,  in  <-onse(iueiiee,  be  regarded  strictly  from 
an  international  ])oiiit  of  view.  If  we  may  judge  from  the 
respective  number  of  vi'sscls  employed,  the  interest  of  citi- 
zens of  the  I'nited  8tates  in  pelagic  sealing  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time  appi'oacliing  to  an  ecpiality  with  tliat  of  Canada; 
while  (Jermany  and  .Tai)an  have  been  or  are  rei>resented 
in  sealing  at  sea,  and  other  Hags  may  at  any  time  a])pear. 
The  shore  rights,  again,  are  at  present  (iliietly  divided 
between  tlie  (nited  States  and  Jiussia,  although  Japan 
owns  somii  sm.;li-"r  resorts  of  the  fur-seal. 

lot.  Contijiidg  ( iirselvesmore  strictly  to  the  eastern  part 
of  the  North  l';iciltc, to  which  tlie  presentdiscussion  <lirectly 
relates,  a  conn /ii'  isou  may  be  instituted  between  the  amount 
of  capital  eiUi>ioyed  in  the  prosecuticm  of  sealing  on  shore 
and  at  sea,  and  of  the  other  interests  involved. 

10.").  Atthei>reseiittime  the  actual  value  of  the  buildings, 

ant,  and  etiuipment  of  the  North  American  Commercial 


1>1 


Company,  on  the  Islands  of  St.  Paul  and  St.  George,  is  esti- 
mated not  to  exceed  130,000  dollars  (LM»,000/.).  Adding  to 
this  a  further  sum  to  cover  other  it  ems  of  capital  less  directly 
connected  witii  th<^  islands  themselves,  the  entire  invested 
capital  would  i>robably  be  over-statetl  at  200,000  dollars 
(40,000/.);  and  it  is  not  to  be  forgotten  that  theCoini)auies 
leasing  tlie  seal  islands  habitually  do  a  iiroti  table  retail  trade 
in  supplies,  i\;c.,  Mitli  the  natives  and  others  in  adiiitiou  to 
acipiiring  the  seal  skins. 


KKPORT    OF    ItFUTISir    COMMIHSIONF.KS. 


35 


i;  15AS1S 
DHVISKl) 
SEAL. 

I  outlined 
•cater  <le- 
it  is  tliat 
('  too  few 
Ills,  ')eiii}*- 
'  to  other 
1  in  nuni- 
L'  existing 


try  is  nat- 
irevitv,  bo 
•ely.  The 
isess(»rs  ut" 
kv  them  to 
[jurpose  of 
cial  rivals, 
to  be  sat- 
ession,  by 
s  of  riji'it, 
ion  of  tlie 

n  betAveeu 
tional  one, 
u  the  two 
rictly  from 
e  fronj  the 
•est  of  eiti- 
the  pres- 
Caiuula; 
)resented 
e  ai)i)ear. 
divided 
h  Japan 

stern  part 

)n  direetly 

le  amount 

on  shore 


KXi.  Theestimateda<'":re;>iite  valneof  tiie  Ilritish  Colum-  ,,'"  "»"  • 


bian  vessels  ciiiphiyed  in  seaiinjj,  with  their  e<|uipinent,  as 


liall  Vl'nHI'lH. 


tl 


ll.lill. 


ley  sailed  in  l.s'.il,  was  ;>r/.MlO()  dollars  (7L*,()(»0/.).  It  has 
been  asserted  that  only  a  portion  of  this  total,  correspond- 
ing witii  the  leii;;th  of  the  pcrittd  in  each  year  in  which 
these  ve.sels  are  actually  enyajicd  in  scaling,  should  be 
taken  as  the  capital  invested.  This  statement  is,  however, 
as  a  matter  of  fact,  incorrect.  The  sealing  v«'ssels  arc!  sel- 
dom used  in  or  fitted  f(»r  other  employment,  and  nearly  all 
(»f  them  remain  laid  up  in  harbour  between  the(la*^es  of  the 
closing  and  opening  of  the  sealing  season — that  is,  i;etwcen 
October  and  .lannaiy,  or  i''ebriniry. 

107.  Adding  to  the  above  amount  a!i  estimate  of  the 
value  of  the  United  States  sealing  lle«'t  in  the  same  year, 
which,  it  has  been  ascertained,  exceeds  L'r)(),(l(M)  dollars 
(."i(»,()()0/.),  and  may  ])robabIy  amount  to  ;>()(»,(K)0  dollars 
((;o,(M)(»/.),  an  aggregate  amount  of  cajiital  of  about  (l;"iO,00U 
dollars  (i;jO,()()(t/.)  is  represented  by  the  conibiued  lleets. 

In  the  foregoing  estimates,  no  mention  is  made  of  the 
revenue  accruing  to  the  (iovernment  of  the  I'nited  States 
from  the  lease  of  the  I'ribylotl'  islands  to  the  sealing  Com- 
pany. 

ins.  li,is  dillicult  to  present  a  numericjally  aciairate  state-  <',.mi..iiai  iv.. 
ment  shoviig  the  magnitude  ot  the  several  interests  as  taUm. 
represented  by  the  number  of  skins  taken  on  the  I'ribylolf 
islands  and  at  sea  respectively,  inuring  th(^  i)ast  lew 
years,  tlie  statistics  of  tlie  Canadian  i)elagic  catch  have 
been  fully  and  carefully  recorded;  but  of  the  catches  made 
by  the  numerous  vessels  sailing  from  i»orts  in  the  Ignited 
States,  no  trustworthy  or  complete  ollicial  or  trade  statis- 
tics api)car  to  exist.  Certain  api>ro.\imatc  tig  ires  for  tiie 
total  pelagic  catch  have,  however,  been  obtained, 
IS  theditfereiice  l)etwecn  which  and  those  representing 
the  Canadian  ])elagic  cattdi,  (compared  with  other 
incomi)lcte  statistics,  uiay  be  I'oughly  assumed  as  showing 
the  catch  by  I'liited  States  vessels.  These,  totals  inclmh', 
however,  in  some  cases,  skins  taken  on  seizure  from  both 
Canadian  and  I'nited  States  vessels.  The  statement  thus 
presented  may  be  considered  as  at  least  sutiliciently  accu- 
rate to  indicate  the  relative  importance  and  growth  of  the 
shore  and  sea  industries  respectively.  Tiio  catches  made 
by  Cnited  States  ves.sels  are  comparatively  snujU  in  pro- 
portion to  the  number  of  vessels  ein[doycd,  ehietly  because 
of  the  lack  of  skilled  hunters. 


mildings, 
[)inmercial 
ge,  is  esti- 
\dding  to 
ss  (lireetly 
i  invested 
)0  dollars 
Companies 
etail  trade 
dtiitiou  to 


3G 


KKPOKT    OF    ItKlTlSH    CO.M.MISSlONKIiS. 
Kl'.t.  'I'lit'sc  si  litis!  ics  iimv  be  tiihiiliitctl  :is  rnll(»\vs: 


A))|irii\iiiiiiti< 

,.,  .  ,.,  .  tiiiiilsol'SKiiis 

Skins  SKiiiM        ,  .1     .      ,  I 

,1  ,1  ,         lUkcM  lit   MM 

»•  .111-1  I  iTOHls  lit 

nil     s.      (  .MMlliMU    ,„i|„,is,;„J 

h.MilH,        \,.s.rU.     ,....srlHl...ill^> 

riMniiiriil;n'\ ). 


I>'i  iiiji'Ks. 


188IS 


1.SS7 


IKKH 
1H«U 


181111 


l.-'.il 


S(i,  iilP.'i 
7H,  (!'j:i 


•JO,  IM.'i 


IJ.  iiTil 


.'1  :mi 


L'l.llJ'.l 

•J",  Mis 


;i!i.  r 


I'.i  iii: 


:n;,()(lii  I'iiMl  sri/.uri's  by  I'liilril  St:ituM  (Invri'ii- 
iniMil.  Tlii'i'i' ('aiiiiiliiiii  and  line  I'liilril 
Stairs  vrs-i'l  .sri/ril. 

:|7,  .">()(!      Si\  (;aii:iilianan(l  Itii  I'nili'il  Slairs  vrssrls 
sri/i'il. 
(  'I  Nii.sci/iin'.s  iiiaili'. 

r_'.  s7(i      I'liiir  ( 'aiiailian  anil  two  Tiiitoil  Stati'H  vcs- 

HI'l.H  .--lUZril. 

.il,."illii  No  sri/iiTis  iiiaili'.  Killiiif;  stolipril  mi 
I'lilivlott  Islanils,  at  li;:iiirM  Hiali'il,  liy 
I'liilril    Slali  s  I  IciViTiiiiii'iil  A^riit. 

ilS.iiilii  \i'>sels  liiriiiil  liarU  riiiiii  lirliriiiiiSi'a  lii'- 
I'lilT  riiiiijilitiiiii  III'  \iiya;;r.-i.  Killiii;^iill 
I'l'llivliill  I>laiiiU.  liiiiili'il  III  7..'iUii  iiniiri' 
iiKiiliii  liih-iidi.  ai  liiallv  n'ai:lu'il  rj,ii71. 


•     I 


NiiimIii  I 
l'lll|ilii\ril. 


Naii\i'   II 
osls. 


Native 
lii'inUiit  .-I' 


iiiili' 

iIIiil; 


110.  ill  (wplaiiiitioii  (»t"tli(»  iibovc  tablo,  it  iii;iybo.  addod: 
(1)  'riiat  I  luUiji'iirc;  jiivcii  tori  lie  I'rihyioir  IslatHls  arc  th(»sii 
oftlie  skins  acliially  accepted  iur  sliiimient  in  each  year  by 
the  lessees,  ami  are  therelbre  neither  identical  with  tlioso 
represeiitiiiin'  tiie  siiii»iiients  made  yearly,  nor  with  those 
elsewhere  !L;i\  en  lor  tlie  w  holeiiiiimber  of  seals  killed  in  each 
year;  ('J)  tliat  tiie  relati\'eiy  small  coast  catch  made  by  tiie 
Indians  in  their  own  canoes  and  withont  theaid  of  sealiii};"- 
vessels  is  not  included  in  the  ])cla.uic  catch;  (.'?)  that  tin^ 
l)ela,i;ic  catch  as  jjivcn  iiiclndesskins  taken  both  ontsideand 
within  ileiiiinn'  8ea,  and  botii  in  th(^  eastern  and  Avestern 
parts  of  tliat  sea,  as  well  as  sncli  skins  as  weie  obtained  by 
raids  made  on  sliore  on  the  breedinu'  islands. 
I  111.  'I'lie  number  of  men  employeil  in  the  Uritish  (Joluni 
bian  sealiiiii'  tieel  alone,  in  tiiis  y(>ar  (iSiH).  was  l,(KS;i,  in  the 
I'nited  States  lleet  al>ont  7.">(l.  makin,y  a  total  of  about  ],S.')() 
]>ers(,iis  eariiinn'  their  li\'elihood  by  this  means,  of  M'lioni 
ai)ont  1.  l.'iO  are  W'iiite  and  l(K>  linlians.  In  the  shore  seal- 
iiiynix)!!  the  I'ribylotl'  Islands  the  number  of  men  enii)loyed 
is'aboiit  lit  Wiiites  and  <S0  "natives."' 

11-.  Tpon  tiii^  I'ribylolf  Islands  the  whole  "native"  ])(*])■ 
nlation  deriviii,y'  its  siijijHirt  from  tht^  indnstryot  killing'' the 
fur-seal  niinibers  under  .'{<MI.  IMiicii  has  been  said  as  to  the 
necessity  <d'  piovidinji;  for  the  siip[)oit  of  these  i)articulai' 
'•natives."'  It  is  not  so  .licnerally  recojini/.ed,  however,  that 
in  Urilish  Columbia  ])n)l)ably  l..")(U)or l',(Ml()  nativ«'s  depeml 
TilKMi  the  eariiiii,i;s  of  about  .'>"()  Indian  hunters  employed 
in  the  scalin,^'  llect.  The  e.  aiii.iis  of  these  hunters  thus 
I'eprcsent  niiicli  of  the  siippcnt  of  a.  considerable  part  of 
the  eiiliie  ualis'c  population  of  the  west  coast  of  N'ancouver 
Island. 

ll.'{.  The  direct  interest  in  scalin.ii' of  the  Indian  tribes  of 
r.ritish  ('olumbia,  parts  of  Alaska,  and  tiie  State  of  Wash- 
inj;ton  is,  moreo\'er,  not  <'onlincd  to  their  share  in  pclajiie 
sealing'  ]»roi»ci.  The  I'csults  of  independent  huntin};',  car- 
lied  ou  I'or  tlic  most  part  in  canoes  from  the  shore  by  lueu 


HEPoUT    OF    r.KTTISII    C'OMMISSIoNHRS. 


37 


oliiiu 
in  tlic 

llOIll 

seal- 
oyed 

pop- 

j-llie 

;(» tlic 

iiiular 

',  tli;it 

»l(»yi'(l 

thus 

tirt  of 

ouv«n' 

)('S  of 

iVi'.sh- 
■hifiic 
;',  CiU'- 
.'  lueu 


Siiiiiiiiiiiy. 


'riiicil>h:s  iiiri)lrctl. 


11.1.  rassinji'  from  tlic  inlorcsts  to  a  iiioic  special  consid-  i'i()t.-.iii,Mimiii 
oration  of  llio  piinciitlcs  involved  in  llie  protection  of  t lie ",'.',, "'"'"'  '""'  "' 
fur  seal,  it  is  in  t  lie  first  ])lace  clear,  in  view  (»f  t lie  lial)its 
and  ranji'c  of  migration  of  tliis  animal,  Ilia t  unlimited  Uill- 
\u<X,  wlietliei'  practised  on  slnwi^  or  at  sea,  nnist  idtimately 
vesnit  in  destroyinj;'  the  pi'ospei'ily  of  tiie  sealinj-'  industry 
asa  wliole.  and,  therefore,  that  any  nieasnic  of  protection, 
to  heetfecti\(',  must  include  both  ai'cas. 

1I<».  It  is.  moi'eover,  (M|ually  clear,  from  the  Uiiown  I'acts,  iiM-iiruiisiinrc. 
tlnit  ellicient  protection  is  much  nnu'e easily  afforded  on  the 
broediu}.;' islands  than  at  sea.  The,  control  of  the  nuMd)er 
of  seals  killed  on  shore  mi^ht  easily  he  made  absolute,  and, 
as  the  area  of  the  breedini;  ishnids  is  small,  it  shonid  'lot 
be  ditlicult  t(.  completely  safei^uai!  these  t'roni  raiding  liy 
outsiders  ami  from  other  illegal  acts. 

117.  The  danger  t"  seal  lifo  en  !h<'  breedini;'  islands  is,     lin'^in-'an^T 

.,  .111  I      .■  /.  •         -i'  1    ■        1  "'      ilrllll'lloll     111! 

on  theotliei'  hand,  au'I  tor  reasons  oi  a  simdar  kind.  par-«iic,r.'. 
ticularly  j^reat.  U  is  /hiellybythe  ])ersistent  Uiliini;'  of 
all  males  between  rcilain  au'cs  upon  t'.e  I'ri'oyloff  Islands 
t'lat  tli((  sealin.i;'  industry  is  iiinnediat<'ly  I  nreatencd.  To 
killing'  ciirried  (Uit  on  siiore  at  the  b'eediny  season  the 
depletion  <;t'  t he  fui'-seals  of  the  S(»nthern  liemisiihere  is 
entirely  due.  and.  as  we  have  seen,  as  an  elfect  of  such 
killing,  lonj;'  ^eibre  the  in<'eptioM  of  ])ela.L;ic  sealing',  the 
rookeries   of  tU"  I'ribyloff   Isiai. ds  weie   more  than  onco 

miiiit  t<»  the  \  erye  of  dei)letion. 

It  is  cei'tain  ihat  by  excessive  killin<i"  on  the  bn'edin<;' 
islands,  to  whatexcr  class  of  seals  diiTcted.  the  sealin;;' 
industiy  as  a  whole  mi<ihr  without  difliculty  bo  mined. 

IIS.   In   sealin,ii-  at  sea  the  conditions  are  cate,i:oi  ically    i.''^'< 'in'ij-'iTat 
dilft  rent,  for  it  iseviilent  that  by  reason  ol'  the  very  metin)d    '' 
»»f  huntinj;'  the  jtrotits  must  decrease,  othci    ihin^s  bcinj"' 
«'"|ual,  in  a  ratio  much  ;i-roater  than  thai  or  an>-  decreas(^ 
in  the  numbor  of  sods,  and  that  there  i.«.  therefore  inhon-ut 


38 


REPOUT    OV    15RITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


I'rott'ctinii   sia 
aliiiii'  ijiiiti'  iiiail- 


Sllilircsfril  )l?'n 

liibllicjiuiu,sliiin 


Ni'W  mctliciiln 
(if  I  iinliol  luciM 
saiy. 


an  iuitoiiialic  piiiiciplo  of  rcttJilntion  snlTicioiit  to  i)icvont 
the  possible  (Icstnictioii  of  tlic  industry  if  practised  only 
at.  sen.  The  f;ro\vtIi  of  ]>ela<;ie  sealinji  ])ropei',  even  tiiougli 
so  recent  in  its  origin,  already  hejiins  to  contribute  experi- 
ence in  support  of  this  view.  Tiie  seals  when  atseaoccui»y 
a  fi'iven  area  of  surface,  and  tiiere  istlms'  a  natural  limit  to 
the  nund)er  of  boats  <»r  canoes  which  can  work  that  area 
without  interfeiing  to  a  certain  extent  with  each  other's 
success.  Tlie  increasing  wariness  of  tiie  seal  has  already 
been  alluded  to,  and  it  is  also  to  be  Itorne  in  mind  that  seal- 
ing at  sea  can  only  be  carried  on  in  calm  weather,  seals 
obtaining  al)solute  "rest''  while  stormy  weather  i)revails. 

11!>.  It  is,  therefore,  al)undantly  evichiit,  if  we  judge  by 
actual  experience,  that  a  control  (»f  seal  lite  beginning  and 
ending  with  i)roteetion  at  sea,  either  ])artial  (»r  absolute, 
can  do  no  more  than  palliate,  and  certainly  (jannot  unite- 
rially  lessen,  tli(>  danger  to  seal  life  as  a  whole,  unless  such 
contiol  be  devised  and  adopted  in  close  co  <)j)eration  with 
agreed  upon  eipiivalent  measures  on  the  breeding  islands. 

1-0.  Whether  from  the  ]toint  of  view  of  expediency  or 
from  that  of  justict',  this  must  be  the  dominant  i)rincMtl<M»f 
any  regulation,  and  while  it  is  imi)rol»abl{»  tlmt  any  S(  lif  iiio 
of  measures  would  be  seriously  proposed  which  riegle(  *  ■ 
this  princi])le,  it  cannot  be  too  i»lainly  stated  that  if  the 
attem|>t  is  made  to  regulate  the  killing  of  seals  on  shoreor 
at  sea  without  tiie  provision  of  coiicurreut  lestiictions  ujion 
the  otiier  nu'thod,tlie  result  at  best  would  be  acurtailment 
of  slangiiter  in  one  direction,  the  door  being  h-ft  open  to  a 
more  than  eipiivalent  slaughter  in  theothcr,  and  no  security 
being  obtained.  It  therefore  Ibllows  that,  as  one  class  of 
restrictions  must  be  applied  within  Jurisdictiimal  limits. and 
the  other  reipiires regulations  applicable  to  all  comers  ujxni 
the  high  seas,  the  snl)Ject  of  measures  must  be  considered 
as  one  of  conventiomd  ;igreement,  concession,  or  bai'gain 
as  i»t't\veen  the  Powers  interested,  it  will  also  be  i-emem- 
bered,  that  the  i)rimary  jdea  for  such  an  arriingement  has 
been  that  advanced  in  their  own  interest  l>y  the  ])ossessoi's 
of  the  breeding  islands;  but  it  is  believed,  on  the  other 
hand,  that  Inul  no  sueli  plea  been  made,  the  interests  of 
the  pi'lagic  sealers  would,  in  the  natural  course  of  events, 
have  le(l  them  to  ])ressfor  a  better  jjrotect  ion  of  the  breed- 
ing ]»la<'es  of  the  seals  ashore,  in  the  interests  of  their  own 

briinch  of  the  industry. 
L'O  IL'I.   It  has  been  ])ointed  out.  an<l  we  believe  it  to 

be  proltiible.  that  if  all  killingof  se;ils  were  pr(»hibite(l 
on  the  breeding  islands,  and  these  were  struMly  protected 
and  safe  guarded  against  encroacihmentof  any  kiiul,  sealing 
at  sea  might  be  iiidelinitely  continued  without  any  notable 
diminution,  in  const  (|Ueii!'e  of  the  s.  If  regnl;ili",  e  tendency 
of  this  industry. 

iL'L*.  The  natural  devi'lopment  of  pelagic  nu'thods  of  steal- 
ing has  remlered  it  now  no  longer  j)ossil»le  to  lu'cseive  tli(>, 
seals  merely  I )\- restricting  the  catch  on  the  breeding  islands, 
and  the  ohi  UM'tlntds  of  utilizing  the  seals  on  these  islands, 
and  of  alfording  them  a  measure  of  protv  ;  (»n  th.-'ic  during 
the  season  a-,  wliich  thi'ycome  to  land  for  I'-'ve-iiiig  p  n-noses, 


J 


REPORT    OF    lUjri'ISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


39 


ils.and 

l'SUl)011 

idcrod 


■llU'lll- 

i(  lias 

scssors 

otlicr 

sts  of 

voiits. 

biccd- 

irown 


it  to 
iil)it('(l 
ti'ftod 
ciUiiifi" 
otable 
idciK'V 


tt'  scal- 
\v  llio 
.lands, 
elands, 
liiiiii};' 


It, 


have  bocomo  in  tliciv  iiaturo  incllcctivc  and  inappropriate, 
espotiialiy  in  view  of  the  sea  scalin^u',  Avliicli.  at  the  time 
tliese  nietliods  were  adi)])te(l,  was  i)i'aclically  iinknciwii. 
'J'lie  added  knowledge  of  the  I'nr-seal  now  gaineil  renders 
it  i'urtlier  necessary  to  recot;iii/e  it  as  an  essentially  ]>ela,iii('. 
animal,  Avhieli,  at  a  certain  s«'ason  of  each  year,  lesorls  to 
the  land.  'J'lius,  the  older  and  cruder  metliods  of  ie,i;ula 
tion  have  become  nnsonnd  and  in  lari^c  measure  nscless, 
and  the  new  conditions  which  have  aiisen  re»|uire  to  be 
faced,  if  it  is  desired  to  obviate  all  danui-r  of  commercial 
externnnation. 

123,  r.esides  the  general  rijiht  of  all  to  hunt  and  take  the 
fur  seal  on  the  high  seas,  there  are.  however,  some  special 
interests  in  such  huntiup',ot  a  ]U'escrii)t'.\ c  kind,  arising  fntm 
use  and  immemorial  custom,  siu'ii  as  tliose  of  the  "mitives" 
of  the  IMibyJoff  Islands,  and  of  tlie  inhaititants  of  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands,  oi'  South-eastern  .Alaska,  of  the  coasl  of  ]5rit 
isli  Columbia,  a'ld  ol"  the  State  of  W'ashin^^lon.  Tiiei'e  aw 
also  ri,i;iils  de^xndent  on  local  ])osition.  such  as  those  ol  the 
(iovernments  possessinji'  tlie  breeding:'  islands  and  those 
controllin}^"  the  territoi'ial  Avaters  in  or  adjacent  to  whi(!h 
the  seals  spend  the  winter  half  of  the  yeai'.  Such  rights 
do  not,  however,  depend  on  position  only,  but  also  on  the 
fact  that  the  seals  necessarily  derive  their  sustenance  i'roin 
the  lish  which  fre(iuent  These  waters,  which,  if  not  thus 
consiuued  by  the  seals,  would  be  available  for  cai)ture  by 
the  ]»eoplc  of  the  adjacent  coasts.  The  rights  of  this  kind 
which  llow  i'rom  thi'  ]»oss<-ssion  of  tln^  breeding  islands  are 
well  known  and  generally  acknowledged,  but  those  of  a 
sinnlar  nature  resulting  from  the  situation  of  the  winter 
home  of  the  seal  along  the  coast  of  JJritish  ('olund>ia  have 
not  till  lately  been  fully  ap|>reciated. 

11'  t.  b'efei'ring  more  ])arti(adarly  to  the  PribyloiT"  Islands, 
it  must  ])eiiiaps  be  assumed  that  no  arrangement  would  be 
entertained  which  would  tlirow  the  cost  of  the  setting  apart 
of  these  islands  as  breeding  g'ounds  on  the  I'liited  States 
Government,  togethei-  with  that  of  the  supjiort  of  .some  .'SOO 

:li!'JveS. 

't  may  be  noted,  however,  that  some  such  arrangement 
k'.txdd  otfer  ])erhaps  the  best  and  sim])lest  s(dntion  of  the 
reso'i'  conliiet  of  interests,  for  the  I'itizens  of  the  I'nitcd 
fu.i.es  would  siill  jiossess  ei|nal  lights  with  all  otluMs  to 
take  seals  at  sea,  ami  in  conseipu'nce  of  the  ])roximity  of 
their  teri'itory  to  the  sealing  ground.s.  they  \\<inld  ])robably 
become  the  ]n'inci])al  benelieiaries. 

IlT).  Anysuch  disinterested  pi'otection  of  i)reedingislands 
either  by  Uussia or  the  I'nited  Stales  would  possess  the 
extreme  simplicity  of  being  entirely  under  llie  control  of 
a  single  (ioveinment,  v.lier-  as  in  every  other  project  it 
becomes  necessary  to  face  the  far  nauc  dillicult  ]troblem  of 
InterniVfioiud  agreement  to  siuu(M'ode  of  regulations  iuvoh- 
ing  an  accompanying  curtailment  of  rights.  In  other 
words,  any  such  arrangement  must  be  viewed  either  as  a 
concession  of  <'ertain  lights  on  lln^  high  seas,  (w  a  eonces- 
sion  of  jteculiar  rights  devolving  from  territ<uial  jiossessiim 
of  the  breediug'  island.s  of  the  seal,  made  in  each  case  for 


\';tT'lnllS 

iiiviih  I'd. 


Jits 


I'mliiliiii 
I'ril)vli.l!.>. 


Xirds  1111 
ii:ilii>n;il  r 
linns. 


mill-- 
Hiilii- 


T  li  .>  r  II  1  i  11 
))riiici|)Ic  of  1)1 
tcrliiili. 


40  UEPOTiT    OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIOXKHS. 

tliepnrposc,  of  iiidnciiiff  equivalent  concessions  on  tlie  other 
side  in  the  common  interest. 

12(!.  For  ]n'actic!il  ])nr|)oses,  the  main  consideration  is 
tiiat  any  scheme  otnieasnics  oti)rotection  shall  absolntely 
(control,  so  far  as  may  bo  necessaiy,  any  and  eveiy  inerhod 
of  taking  seals;  and  from  industrial  considerations,  and  in 
order  ])r()i»erly  to  determine  on  recipiocal  concessions,  it  is 
necessary  to  assnme  some  rnlinji'  princiido  in  accordance 
Avirh  Avhich  these  shall  he  governed,  and  snch  maybe;  found, 
in  !i  roufi'h  way,  in  ])ostulatinfj  a  ])arity  of  interests  as  be- 
t\ve(>n  ])elaf'ic  sealin<;"  and  scaling'  on  the  breedinjiishinds. 
This  would  involve  the  idea,  tliat  any  re<inlation  of  the 
lishery,  as  a  whole,  shonld  be  so  framed  as  to  afford  as 
nearly  as  jxissiiile  an  ecjual  share  in  benefit  or  pro(!ecds  to 
these  two  interests. 
Ki^iiits  lit  8.-a  1U7.  Inasmuch  as  the  United  States  and  Ifnssia,  with  in 
?"1n'M.i''s''(M.'m  ii- '''i'lor  deji'i'ee  .lapan,  alone  have  direct  interests  in  the 
r'"'<'  brcii'niy  islands,  while  all  other  nations  share  Avith  them 

the   .  "-ted  rijjht  of  sealinji'  on  tlw.  hijih  seas,  it  may  at 

lirst  s.,.  |)pear  ine(iuitable  that  any  basis  of  arransement 
};'ivin,y  Si-  lariLi'e.  a  share  to  the  possessors  of  the  breeditig 
islands  and  involvitiiH'  so  .general  a  curtailment  of  common 
rights  should  be  ci)ntemi)lated. 

ll'S.  The  excei)tionally  favourable  position  which 
21  the  United  States  and  Ifussia  would  hold  under  such 
«a  basis  of  arran<iement  is,  liowever,  to  some  extent 
Justified  by  the  fact,  that  ujjou  these  Governmeiits  would 
<lev(dve  the;  ex])ense  and  responsibility  of  elliciently  con- 
troll  inj;- an, 1  ji'uivi'(liu<>;thebreedin,t''  islamlsof  the  seals.  It 
may  be  noted  that  the  present  time  is  f»ne  specially  favour- 
able to  some  such  arranjiement,  because  Clreat  JJritain  and 
the  United  States  alone  possess  considerable  sealinj>tleets, 
and  it  is  jnobable  that  any  rcfiulations  afifrced  upon  by 
these  two  (ioveruments  (esi)ecially  if  also  ai)proved  by 
iiussia)  would  nu'ct  with  the  leady  concurrence  of  other 
I'owers  at  ])resent  but  slightly  interested,  or  with  nuM'ely  a 
potential  concern  in  the  matter, 
n  .hM'?ra"  '.is.r  ^-'^'  '"  dealing-  with  specific  measures  of  preservation,  it 
wii'iv.  uniy  be  well  to  bear  in  mind  tliat  more  or  less  effective  steps 

have  already  been  taivcn  for  this  jnipose  in  other  ])arts  of 
the  world  .)esides  the  Pribylott"  and  Commander  Islands. 
It  is  wholly  in  accordance  with  lon.n"  ex])erience  in  game 
])roteetiou  in  the  Tnited  Kinydoiu  that  the  tendency  has 
arisen  in  various  ])arts  of  tlu!  IJritish  l']m])ireto  protect  the 
fur-seal.  In  Australasia,  in  South  Africa,  and  in  the  Falk- 
land I slamls.  regulations  have  been  adopted  from  time  to 
time  with  this  object.  Further  ])recedents  of  a  si»ecially 
api)roiniate  character  are  fouml  ia  tluM'egulations  of  the 
>iewfoundland(iovcrnment  for  the  control  of  the  great  liaii'- 
seal  fishery,  and  in  the  .Jan-Mayen  International  Agree- 
nu'Ut,  whereby  a  certain  areaof  theXorth  Atlantic,  defined 
by  lines  of  latitude  and  longitude,  has  been  sultjected  to 
specific  rules  as  to  sealing  since  JST"),  these  rules  alfeetiug 
the  control  of  vessels,  their  captains,  ami  crews. 


I 


KEPORT    OF    lUilTISir    CO:\IMISSI()NKKS. 


41 


It 
avour- 
1  iiiid 
leets, 
m  l»y 
(1  by 
otlior 
rely  a 

ion,  it 
stops 
its  of 

!U1(1S. 

game 

y  has 

ct  tlio 

Falk- 

1110,  to 

cially 
of  the 
tliair- 

oliiiod 
Oil  to 
ctiug 


I 


l.'.O.  Tlu'iiiiiiciiiiil  modes  of  iirotcct  ion  of  ;i  iiriictical  diar-    T'rinoipai 

■  1  1  I  llinlliw  III    lU'otrr 

acter  wliicli  liavt-  Ix-cii  sufi'/icsttMl  I'or  the  Noiili  I'iU'ilic  by  limi  ^Hll•;^;.slo.l. 

\aiions  antlioritics   iiiiiy  l»o  classiMl   under  tlie  followin;^' 

lieiids: 

(a.)  Time,     iiiniit  in  period  of  seiilin;^'. 

(b.)  yiimber.     Limit  in  inimlier  of  seals  tiiken. 

(r.)  Aren.  Limit  in  re;iions  over  wliieh  sealing'  nniy  be 
carried  o.i. 

{(I.)  .Aletlinds  Improvement  in  methods  ol"  eonduetiiijH' 
sealinjn". 

I.'tl.  liimitations  of  time  luive  been  ])]a('ed  most  pninii- (•i/j,/",.',',^,,',','.!,'.*''' 
nently  in  the  list  of  remedies;  and,  indeed.  '•  elos(>  seasons" 
liiive  been  jiojnihirly  r<\i;iirde<l  as  the  main  if  not  (lie  only 
remedy  of  a  Jicnenil  kind.  It  is  clear,  howevei',  in  the 
lijiht  of  lacts.  that,  tor  the  ]mrpose  of  limitinn'  the  total 
iinmbers  taken,  a  time  limit  is  specially  ap|»lieable  only  to 
the  ])elajiic  industry,  in  which  tli(!  immber  of  seals  taken 
bears  a  direct  ratio,  oilier  Ihinu's  beiiiu-e(|nal.  to  (he  length 
of  the  season  of  hiintin;i\  and  where  the  only  way  in  wliicii 
a  rediv  cd  catch  would  not  result  from  a  shortened  season 
wou^  4  be  by  an  increased  number  of  A'essels  employed, 
Mh'.;h  ■would  soon  leaeh  unremunerative  limits.  On  tln^ 
breeding:  islands,  on  the  contrary,  limitin<>-  the  time  of  kill- 
inji"  does  uot  necessarily  limit  the  numbers  taken,  and  the 
only  elfective  limit  is  one  of  number.  This  has  been  fully 
acknowledj;ed  in  the  measures  adopted  (hronuhout  with 
regard  to  the  re<>ulation  <»f  the  catch  on  both  the  Pribylolf 
and  Commander  Islands,  Avhei'e  it  is  obvious  tlnit  if  but 
one  or  two  summer  months  in  all  were  allowed  for  killing 
and  uo  other  restrictions  were  applied,  tlie  uumber  of  seals 
killed  would  become  merely  a  (|uestiou  of  the  number  of 
men  em])loyed.  and  need  only  be  limited  by  the  exhaustion 
of  animals  to  kill. 

l.'{2.  AVith   further  reference  to  the   eifeet  of  im)pos<'d    Hif.cjs.iimmt 

,.,..,  ,  ill  1  ,■  HIM  iinil  III!  sIku'c. 

tnne  limits  or  close  seasons  on  the  shore- and  sea-sealin<>' 
resjiectively,  and  in  order  to  jirove  (hat  such  an  ajiparently 
simple  method  of  re.i:ulation  is  not  equally  ap])iical)le  to 
both  industries,  it  may  be  shown  that  jnenerally  this  etfect 
would  be  not  only  ine(|uitable,  but  olten  diam<'trically 
opposite  in  the  two  eases. 

Ini)elaiiicsealiii,L;'.  the  weather  is  usually  such  as  to  induce 
afew  vessels  to  go  out  in  .binuary.  l»ut  tlie  catches  made  in 
this  month  an^  as  a  rule  small.  In  February,  ]Marcli.  and 
April  the  conditions  are  usually  better,  and  larger  catches 
are  made.  Jii  j\lay  and  .Inne  the  seals  are  (bund  further 
to  the  north,  and  thesis  are  g(>od  sealing  months;  wiiile  in 
.Inly,  August,  and  ]»art  of  Se])tembcr  sealing  is  conducted 
in  iJehring  S(>a,  and  good  cat<'lies  are  often  made  till  such 
time  as  tlm  weather  becomes  so  uncertain  and  rough  as  to 
practically  close  the  season. 

13.'{.  Upon  the  I'ribylolf  Islands,  (hough  it  has  been  the 
custom  to  kill  a  certain  number  of  seals  Ibr  ibod  at  all  (imes 
during  the  period  of  (i\-e  or  live  and  a  half  months  in  which 
any  seals  are  Ibiind  on  shore,  the  young  males  or  "  bache- 
lors" (which,  together  with  virgin  females,  are  ])ractically 
the  only  class  which  can  be  taken  ashore  in  large  numbers 


On    llic   I'liliv- 


42 


h'KPoi.'T  i)V  luansir  commissioners. 


('lost'     s 
tliiis  imt   I 


■;isi»iis 
iliiiilly 


(Itliirm.'i 
rcj;iil;ili()ii. 


rduiliiiii'i 
tnlidMiif'iiii 
iiiiiiilii  r. 


1  liiiii- 


willidiit  iU'tunlly  brciikin,:^;'  up  iiiul  dcsi royiurj flip  l»r(M'<lin{; 
looki'iics)  do  iioi  airivo  in  iiotiihlc  ]irn|)(irti(>iis  till  .liiiio, 
:iii(l,  in  coniiiion  Avitli  otli*  r  soiils  upon  tlic  isliiiids,  Itccome 
"  stagey."' and  iuciipalde  of  yicldiuy'  j;(iod  skins  about  the 
niiddit'  of  Aniiust.  'ilic  prolitahic  kiliinu'  on  tlir  I'rihylolf 
islands  is  tinis  naturally  limited,  as  a  nuixinuini,  to  a  period 
of  about  two  inontlis.  and  as  a  rule  and  under  normal  eir- 
euinstanees,  tlie  annual  (piola  has  Ix-'ii  «'om]»k'ted 
22  within  thirty  1o  lilty  woikinj;'  days,  <luriiiy  which 

the  slauiihfer  is  carried  on  at  a  iv-icrical  ratio  many 
times  . greater  than  that  attainable  duriui;  ;.ii_y  ^  i'jMui  the 
pelagic  killing'. 

l.'M.  Witii  seals  killed  at  sea,  the  skins  are  never  found 
to  be  in  a  "sta.yey"  condition,  as  has  been  ascertained  by 
in(pnries  specially  made  on  this  jtoint,  and  there  is,  thero- 
Ibre.  no  naturally  delinile  close  to  the  time  of  i)rolitable 
killinji',  such  as  occurs  on  tlu!  islands.  The  markedly 
'•staji'cy"  charactei-  of  the  skins  at  a  ])articular  season 
a])pears  to  be  conliiud  to  those  seals  which  ha\i!  leimiined 
for  a  considerable  t  inu'  on  the  land. 

1.').").  Without,  therefore,  enteiini;'  at  Icnjith  into  a  com- 
parison of  the  resjiective  elfecls  of  clos(>  seasons  at  s(>a  or 
on  shore,  it  may  be  stated  that,  with  exceptio    of  the 

nionthsof  July  and  August, any  close  iime  whatever  wouhl 
have  practically  no  effect  (tn  the  killinii'on  th(>  islands,  while 
seveial  of  the  months  which  mi,yht  l)e  chosen  woidd  seri- 
ously alfect  sealin.uat  sea.  II",  aji'ain.  June  or  rluly  should 
be  chosen  as  a  close  month,  it  would  shorten  the  time  of 
killin.u'  upon  the  islands,  but  without  necessarily  reducinj;' 
the  numlier  killed:  while  an  endeavour  to  insert  such  a 
montli  of  inaction,  in  tlie  middle  of  the  season  of  ]»elafi'ic 
sealinji',  would  not  only  be  very  diificnit  in  ])roper  enforce- 
ment, but.  if  enl'orced,  would  practically  l)reak  up  theseal- 
in<>'  v(»yaji'es.  as  the  a csseis  enyaiicd  are  then  far  from  their 
home  ])orts, 

13().  Limitations  of  numl»er  of  other  kinds  have,  how- 
«'ver,  been  jiroposed  as  ap])licable  to  the  re.uulation  of  ])»'■ 
lagie  sealiufi'.  Thus,  it  has  been  siiji^-ested  that  the  lunnber 
of  seals  to  be  taken  by  each  vessel  should  be  limited  ac- 
cordiiij;'  to  tonnage:  that  the  whole  inunber  of  vessels 
em])loyed  should  be  limited;  that  those  ('iijiaued  in  sealing 
be  requiicd  to  obtain  a  license;  and  that  a  limited  nund)er 
of  ])ersoiial  licenses  should  be  supplied  to  individual 
hunt<'rs. 

Some  such  provisi(>iis  miji'ht  be  tbund  to  p(»ssess  a  i)ar- 
tial  ai)plicability,  but  while  they  mi^hi  be  useful  ]>ortions 
of  a  {iieater  whole,  they  could  not  by  themselves  become 
eilicient  systems  of  control. 

l.'{7.  .\n  e(iuitiible  basis  of  ])rotection  is  therefore  not  to 
be  found  in  the  adoption  of  any  simi)le  and  coi'respcunlini;' 
close  season,  includinj^'  a  jiart  of  each  yeai  applicable  to 
both  shore  and  sea  alike:  but  as  ])ela,i>ic  scalinji'  mijilit 
easily  be  re<iulated  by  the  adoption  ot'  a  close  season,  while 
shore  sealin.y  mijiht  with  equal  facility  be  j^oveiiied  by  a 
limit  of  innnber,  it  seems  ]»robable  that  sonu' cotni>roniise 
(»f  interest  may  be  ariived  at  by  a  combination  of  these 
methods. 


I 


REPORT    OF    lUMTISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


I.'JS.  If  (■('itiiiii  liioiitlis  should  ]>('  discussed   iis  ii  dose 
tinit'  lor  s(';ilin;4'  at  sen.  it   ht'coiues  iuiportaiit  to  iiuiuiie  ' 
wliicli  part  of  lilt!  season  is  most  injurious  to  seal  life  iu 
]iio|)ortiou   to  llie  iiuiuWer  •)f  skins   secured,  and   to  tins 

: :..,.  41., 1...    I.. ,4    +1...  „. ...I..    +!...<-   41 1.  ,1,, 


43 


'1  itno   litiiitH  :)t 


ilorec- 

seal- 

n  their 

how- 

of  ])('- 

uiniber 

'd  ae- 

.(•ssels 
^ealin,^i• 
iuud»er 
ividual 

a  ]»ar- 
ortions 
)ecouie 

not  to 
indium' 
able  to 
nii^ht 
1,  while 
'd  by  a 
u'ouiise 
f  these 


Al 
t 

1 
te 


nortli  to  hrinj;'  lorlli  their  youuj;".  It  is  on  siiuilar  grounds 
and  at  correspond inu'  seascuis  that  ]»roteetiou  is  usually 
accorded  to  animals  of  any  kind,  and,  apait  from  the,  fact 
that  those  seals  are  killed  upon  the  liij^li  seas,  the  same 
arunnu'iits  apply  to  this  as  to  other  eases. 

l.")*.).  Tliis  i)ortiou  of  the  jjelafiie  sealinj;'  is  wholly  carried 
on  in  that  i)ai  t  of  the  North  Pacific,  w  liich  lies  to  tiie  s(Mith 
of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  and  here  also,  as  has  already  been 
pointed  out,  a  certain  number  of  seals  are  kille(l  at  the 
same  season  by  the  independent  sealinj;"  of  natives  resjch'ii*" 
alonj;'  the  coast  of  British  ('oluml)ia  and  Southeastern 
\laska.  Thea.u.nre,i:ate  number  of  seals  killed  in  this  ]>ar- 
icular  way  is,  howevei-,  relatively  so  small  that  it  may  be 
•ractically  ignored  in  any  general  pro])osals  looking  to  pro- 
lection.  It  is  scarcely  ]K)ssible,  under  ]treseut  circum- 
stanees,  to  interfere  with  the  independent  native  sealing, 
even  if  it  should  be  eousidcrcd  just  to  attempt  to  do  so. 
This  species  of  hunting  is  decreasing  rather  than  increas- 
ing in  amount  as  other  industiies  grow  up,  ami  it  may  be 
further  indirectly  discouraged  without  great  <lifliculty. 

1  10.  It  may  be;  remembered  that,  to  a  great  «legree,  any 
restrictions  of  time  ap])lied  to  sealing  at  sea  are  also 
restrictions  of  area,  for  at  dilferent  seasons  the.  sealing  is 
necessarily  carried  on  in  dilferent  ])arts  of  the  ocean. 

Ml.  JJesix-cting  pi'oteetiou  bv  means  of  I  i  mi  ting  the  area  ^  ■'«<'<<■'  «(  una 
of  sealing  o[)erations,  it  may  be  pointed  out  that  the  cir- 
cumstances are  such  a>  to  enable  this  to  be  done  upon  the 
breeding  islands  without  dilliculty,  for,  both  in  the  case  of 
the  I'nited  States  and  liussia,  two  sei)arate  ishmds  are 
resorted  to  by  the  fui'-seals,  and  one  <m'  other  of  these 
islands  iu  eac-h  ease  might  be  strictly  set  apart  and  main- 
tainc(l  as  a  rcserv<H»f  seal  life.  Or,  again,  certain  ixutions 
(»f  the  several  islands  might  without  diflieulty  be  perina- 
iientlyexempt<'d  from  driving  or  disturbance  by  tin;  sealers. 
111'.  Limitations  affecting  sealing  operations  on  the  high 
seas,  by  international  assent,  might  e(pially  he  established ' 
and  maintained  with  the  aid  of  a  sullicient  ]>atrol  of  <'ruiz- 
ers,  though  such  i>oliceregulati(Mis  would  be  attended 
with  considerable!  expense.  Sonui  expenditure  is, 
however,  involved  under  any  sy>tem  of  eontro'     '" 


1.'3 


■mill- 


)i  *•  II  H  f     nf 

>l  ill  Ni'a. 


iiowcNcr,  iii\oi\eu    iiiiuer    any    ,N_\Meiii   oi   (-oiiikmim 

sealing  at  sea,  whether  detiiied  by  area  or  by  time  limits. 

If'!.  In  any  ease,  great  good  would  be  done  by  extending    Vn, 
around  the  breeding  islands,  to  a  distaiuu'.  to  be  agreed  i^,','',']" 
upon  iu  conformity  with  the  eireumstanees,  a  zone  oi"  i)ro- 
tected  waters.     Such  an  area  of  i»rotcctiou,  if  only  of  mod 
erate  width,  would  not  alom;  lU'evcnt  the  disturbance  or 
slaughter  of  ])ractically  all  seals  at  the  time  aetually  resort 
ing  to  the  breeding  rookeries,  but  would  possess  the  great 


lllll'll  /Mill's 

I    Kf  :i  I    i  .s- 


n~. 


Sil 


•44 


¥ 


HETOHT    OF    r.HITISir    COMMISSIONKUS. 

iulditioiiiil  advimtiiji'e  (»("  rciwlorinu'  it  jxtssildc  to  ))nt  down 
tlni  very  (lostriK'tivoi  raids  upon  tlic  rookeries,  wliicli  liaxc, 
idiiiost  froi'i  the  time  of  tlie  Aliiskii  pnreliiise,  Ix'en  i>r;ic- 
tised  Avif  li  compai'iitive  iiiii>nnity  by  certain  nnscrupulons 
sealei's  (^  727  <7.svv/.).  It  lias  always  been  easy,  under  cover 
(tf  darkness  or  foji',  to  slip  in  under  tlie  land  across  an 
iniajiiiniry  lincMlrawn  at  otdy  (liictMniles  IVoni  tlie  shore; 
but  by  exteinliufj^  sncli  a  limit  to  ten  or  twenty  ndles,  itcan 
b(i  made  an  eHectivc^  sal'e<iinird,  so  loni^-  as  any  ciuizer  is 
retained  abonttln^  islands  on  polici^  duty.  Tin^  advantafjes 
of  such  a  widened  zont^  of  ])rotection  will  be  quite  obvious 
to  any  sailor,  and  its  ])ractical  etVe(!t  would  be  to  keep  tho 
sealers,  from  ordinary  jtrudential  motives,  very  far  from  the 
shores  of  the  breedinjjf  islands.  A  (iO-mile  zone  was  reported 
by  ]\Ir.  iUaino  (in  J)ecember  I.SIM))  to  be,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  President,  an  "eireetivo  mode  of  preservinjii:  tlu!  seal 
fisheries  for  the  use  of  the  civilized  world." 

14 1.  To  render  such  reserved  area  an  otlicient  ])roteetion, 
however,  it  would  be  necessary  to  ])rovido  that  between 
certain  dates  no  vessels,  Avhethei-  under  pretext  of  whalinj;' 
or  tisliinji"  of  any  kiinl,  shouhl  enter  tlie  protected  area 
except  in  makin.u'  a  ])assa.ue,  and  that  any  v«'ssel  lowerinj^ 
boats,  or  hovering  within  this  area,  would  be  subject  to 
l)enalties.  It  is  already  known  that  A'essels  ostensibly 
engaged  in  whaling  and  other  pursuits  in  iJehringtSea,  have 
really  occupied  themselves  or  aided  in  sealing  or  raiding, 
and  any  less  strict  nu'asure.s  of  preservation  could  only 
result  in  increasing  this  evil. 

(C) — SiDiinuirij  of  (iciirral   ConditinuH  hearbuj  rtpon  Kr</u- 

Idiion. 

'  14r».  From  the  foregoing  review  of  the  various  facts  and 
circumstances  of  seal-life  in  the  Xorth  Pacilic,  \\\o  follow- 
ing may  be  stated  to  be  the  governing  conditions  of  proper 
protection  and  preservation: 

{(1.)  The  facts  show  that  some  such  i)rotection  is  emi- 
nently desirable,  especially  in  view  of  i'urther  ex])ansions 
of  the  sealing  industry. 

[h.)  Tho  domestic  protection  hcetofore  given  to  the  fnr- 
scal  on  tho  breeding  islands  has  at  no  time  been  vholly 
satisfactory,  either  in  concei)tion  or  in  execution,  and  many 
of  its  methods  liave  now  become  obsolete. 

(c.)  Measures  of  ])rotectiou  to  be  effective  must  include 
both  the  summer  and  Avinter  homes,  and  the  whole  nn'gra- 
tion-ranges  of  the  fur-seal,  and  contnd  every  ])lace  and  all 
methods  where  or  by  which  seals  are  taken  or  destr(,yed. 

('/.)  Although  primarily  devised  for  the  ])rotection  and 
]>erpetuation  of  the  fur-seal  itself  and  of  the  sealing  in- 
dustry as  a  Avhole,  any  measures  must  be  such  as  to  inter- 
fere as  little  as  i)ossible  with  established  industries,  and 
such  as  can  be  instituted  under  existing  circumstances. 

(('.)  Equitable  consideration  must  therefore  be  given  to 
the  several  industries  based  upon  the  taking  of  seals,  and 
especially  to  the  number  of  persons  dependent  on  these  lor 


UKl'OKT    OF    lUJITISir   COMMISSIONKUS. 


45 


i\  livi'IihiMxl  and  to  the  aiiiouiit  of  capital  invt'stfd,  .so  that 
tlui  iiieasiuos  adopted  may  be  siicli  as  to  recoiuiiiend  tlieiii- 
solves  <»n  the  {jrouiid  of  coiiiinoji  iiitcicst. 

(/.)  The  (iontrolliiif;  Uej;ulatioiis  shoiihl  be  so  framed  as 
to  admit  of  vaiyiiij;'  dej^rces  of  stiiiijieiicy  in  acconhiiiee 
with  the  changing  exigencies  of  the  case. 


he  Inr- 

vholly 

d  many 

•lude 

ligra- 

a ml  all 

tn.yod. 

ion  and 

Ting  in- 

lo  intcv- 

les,  and 

jiccs. 

liven  to 

ds,  and 

liese  lor 


111.— Mkasi  i;i;s  f<»i;  tiii;  l'i;()rK<rii(».v  and  I'k'i'-skkvation  oi'  the 
1''l  u  si;al  ok  tiik  Nokth  Pacific. 

(A.) — (Iciii'rtil  Xaliirc  of  Mrttsiircs  r<iii(ir<<l. 

11(1.  The  actual  mcasnrcs  n(M'essary  foi'  the  ])ro|K'r  protection  and 
preservation  of  the  fur-seal  fall  nnder  two  heads,  namely: 
(i.)  Improvements  in  the  methods  of  talcing  seals; 
(ii.)   Ri'striction  in  the  nnnd>er  of  seals  taken, 
lil  Those  of  the  latter  class  are  the  more  important,  but  as  the 

"'im])rovements  in  methods"  art 
scarcely  ojten  to  (|uestion,  these  may  be  tirst  outlined 


nior(i  easily  dealt  with,  and  are 


(i.j — Imi>ri)rcm<  iitK  in  llir  Mitliuih  of  lukinij  Seals. 

147.  On  the  Bnrdhuj  Islauds. — The  "  drives"  should  be  made  as  short 
as  i>(»ssible,  say,  not  to  exceed  half  a-mile  as  a  maximum.  Tiiey  should 
be  carrieil  out  with  diii^  <leliberation,  avoiding  excessive  hurry,  and 
under  the  i)ersonal  sui)ervision  of  a  res|)onsible  otiicer,  and  all  seals  not 
intended  to  be  killed  should,  as  far  as  possible,  be  ''cut  out  *'  at  an  early 
stage  in  each  '"drive."' 

The  actual  clubbing  of  the  seals  should  be  itcrformed  with  greater 
care,  avoiding  injury  or  death  to  seals  not  intended  to  be  taken. 

1  IS.  <  ";ire  should  be  exercised  to  avoid  disturbing  the  actual  i»reeding 
rookeries  in  any  way,  and  Jio  seals  not  capable  of  yielding  merchantable 
skins  should  ever  be  killed. 

The  breeding  islands  shouhl  be  fully  secured  against  "raids,"  a  com- 
petent guard,  with  authority  to  reiiel  any  attemi»ts  at  landing,  being 
])rovi(lcd;  while  some  armed  vessel  sliould  remain  about  »'ie  islands 
during  the  whole  of  each  sealing  season,  say,  from  the  1st  June  to  .iOth 
Xoveinber. 

149.  At  Sea. — Here  most  of  the  im])rovements  in  methods  which  may 
be  suggested,  necessarily  i)artake  of  the  character  of  restrictions  whicli 
may  tend  directly  to  reduce  the  number  of  seals  taken.  kSucli  improve 
meiits  therefore  recpure  to  be  considered  in  their  coiineetioii  with  the 
general  regulations  proi^sed  for  the  restriction  in  iiuiid»er  of  seals 
killed. 

l."t().  The  most  important  iin))rovem(  nts  or  restrictions  which  may  be 
treated  from  the  side  of  '•  metliods"  are  as  follows: 

Prohibition  of  the  use  of  rilies  in  shooting  seals  at  sea,  and  of  the 
employment  of  nets  as  a  means  of  (;ai»ture. 

The  adoption  of  asystem  of  ])ersonal  licences  tor  White  hunters,  such 
licences  to  be  renewable  annually,  and  revokable  for  proved  breach  of 
any  of  the  regulations  ])rovided. 

\'essels  proi»elled  by  uiachinery  to  pay  an  increased  licence  fee,  or  to 
be  wholly  excluded  liuni  seuliug. 


46 


REPORT    OF    HRiriSH    (JOMMISSIONKRS. 


(ii.) — Htuli K  lioit  in  Ihf  Xiuiilicr  of  Saili  lukiii. 

ir»l.  We  iu't' of  ()i)iiii()n  that  to  be  clVectivc  iiixl  suited  to  tlio  oxist- 
iiij:^  (joiiditioiis  ihid  to  the  interests  at  i»reseiit  iii\olvetl.  any  system  oC 
measures  for  rejiuiatiii^'  the  numl)er  and  kind  of  seals  taken  sliould 
ineliide  provisions  of  tiie  followinj;'  kinds: 

{(1.)  Tlie  striet  limitation  of  the  iiuinl)er  of  seals  killed  on  the  breed- 
inj^'  islands  to  a  !-iif«'  ruaxiniuiu,  the  iiund»er  and  kind  of  seals  to  be 
adjusted  within  the  limit  of  this  ma\iinum.  from  year  to  year  if  found 
ncu^essary,  inaceordauee  with  the  actually  obsi-rved  stateuf  thcbreedin/i' 
rookeries  in  ea(!h  year. 

(h.)  The  institution  of  a  zoiu'  of  ])rotected  waters  surrouiulin;;-  the 
breeding-  islands. 

(r.)  The  establishmeiit  of  a  (ilose  time,  sueh  as  to  limit  the  period  of 
hnntinu'  at  sea.  and  so  (levised  as  in  i)artieular  to  safejiuard  the  seals 
during  that  portion  of  the  si»rinj;'  ((;overin,i;'  the  earlier  part  of  the  seal- 
inji'  voyap's  as  now  made)  in  which  a  certain  |>rop()rtion  of  yravid 
females  is  taken. 

loL',  One  or  other  of  these  provisions  tor  the  limitation  of  sea  sealinji^ 
should  be  s«d)iect  to  modilicatiou  in  area  (»r  time  respectively,  in  such 
nuinner  as  to  check  any  tendency  to  excessive  killing' at  sea,  to  allow 
for  exceptionally  unfavoural)le  breedinj;-  seasons,  and,  in  geiu'ral,  to 
coirespond  with  any  marked  increase  or  decrease  found  to  occiii  in  the 
uumber  of  seals, 

lao.  It  is  suggested  that  such  compensatory  changes  in  the  degree  of 
stringency  of  regulative  measures  shall  be  made  to  dei)end  upon  the 
nund)er  tixed  for  killing  on  the  breeding  islands  in  each  ,vear,  so  that  if 
it  be  found  necessary  or  advisable  to  change  this  luling  lunnber  at  any 
time,  the  degree  of  stringency  of  the  icgulations  applied  at  sea  may 
be  i>roportionately  increased  or  diminished. 

lot.  A  compensatory  ])rinciple  of  this  kind  shouhl  absolutely  remedy 
(if  not  in  each  individual  year,  at  least  in  the  axerage  of  years)  any 
l)ossible  want  of  etticiency  in  the  general  scheme  of  measures,  remov- 
ing any  doubt  which  may  be  supi)osed  to  attach  to  the  proper  control 
of  sealing  at  sea,  which  it  is  not  possible  to  regulate  on  an  exact 
numerical  basis. 


25 


(1).) — Specijic  /Scltenie  of  Rv<julal'nnis  rccotu mended. 


155.  In  view  of  the  actual  condition  of  seal  life  as  it  presents  Itself 
to  us  at  the  i)resent  time,  we  believe  tliat  the  recpiisite  degree  of  pro- 
tection would  be  alforded  l»y  the  ai>]»lication  of  tiie  following  specilic 
limitations  at  shore  and  at  sea  : 

{(I.)  The  maximum  luimber  of  seals  to  be  taken  on  the  Pribyloft' 
Islands  to  be  tlxed  at  oOjdOO. 

(/>.)  A  /one  of  ])rotected  waters  to  be  establisheil,  extending  to  a  dis- 
tance of  '20  nautical  miles  from  the  islands. 

{(:)  A  close  season  to  be  i»rovided,  extending  from  the  l.">th  Septem- 
ber to  the  1st  ^lay  in  each  year,  during  which  all  killing  of  seals  shall 
be  ]»rohil)ited,  Avith  the  additional  provision  that  no  sealing- vessel  shall 
enter  Behring  Sea  belbie  the  1st  July  in  each  year. 

150.  Kes[)ecting  the  compensatory  feature  of  such  s])ecilic  regida- 
tions,  it  is  believed  that  a  Just  scale  of  equivalency  as  between  sliore 
and  sea  sealing  would  be  found,  and  a  complete  check  established 
against  any  undue  diminution  of  seals,  by  adopting  the  following  as  a 
unit  of  compensatory  regulation: 


the 


remedy 

s)  any 

It'lllOV- 

oiitiol 
exact 


regiila- 
ii  shove 
blished 
iig  as  a 


K  :poi{t  or  r.RiTisir  ('()M>r[s.sTo\KUS!. 


47 


Vnr  cacli  (Iccrcise  of  10, (MM)  in  tlif  iiiiiiibtT  li.xed  lor  killing  on  tlie 
isliiiids,  an  inerease  ot"  10  niuiticiil  miles  to  he  given  to  tli(!  '.*  idtli  of 
])rot('cte<l  Wiiters  about  tlie  islands.  Tlic  niiniinum  nund)er  to  be  (i\ed 
for  killing  on  the  islands  to  bo  Jo.(MM>,  roiresponding  to  a  maximum 
\\  idth  of  judtected  wateis  of  (10  nautical  miles. 

ir»7.  The  abo\e  regulations  represent  measures  at  st'a  and  ashore 
sulheiently  e<iuivalent  i'or  all  practical  purposes,  and  jirobably  embody 
or  i)rovide  for  regulations  as  ajtplied  to  sealing  on  the  high  s»'as  as 
stringent  as  would  be  admitted  by  any  Maritime  I'ower,  whether 
directly  or  only  i)otentially  interested. 

l."»S.  As  ail  alleniati\('  method  (»f  etfecting  a  compensatory  adjust- 
ment of  tlm  stringency  of  measures  of  protection,  it  is  jtossible  that 
some  advantages  might  be  found  in  the  adoption  of  a  sliding  scale  of 
length  fortius  season  of  sealing  at  sea,  with  a  lixed  width  of  /.one  of 
protection  about  the  islands. 

In  this  ease  it  is  belicned  that,  in  correspondence  with  a  decrease  of 
10,0(H>  seals  killed  upon  the  lucediiig  islands,  tht*  length  of  the  sealing 
season  at  sea  might  be  curtailed  by  sexcn  days,  such  curtailment  to  be 
ai)plied  either  to  tlu^  opening  or  closing  time  of  th«'  sealing  season. 

I.")0.  It  may  be  objected  to  the  principle  invohfd  in  any  (correlative 
rei.-,'.'.lation  of  shore  and  sea  sealing,  that  it  would  be  imjtossible  in  any 
particiilaryear  to  make  known  the  number  lixed  for  killingonthe  islands 
in  time  to  secure  a  eorrcsponding  regulation  of  i)elagic  sealing.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  however,  if  the  condition  of  the  breeding  rookeries  called 
for  any  change,  it  should  be  possible  to  fix  this  number  with  suUicient 
l)recision  a  year  in  advance;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  general 
elfect  would  be  almost  equally  advantageous  if  the  number  killed  ou 
the  islands  in  any  one  year  were  employed  as  the  factoi'  of  regulation 
for  jx'lagie  sealing  in  the  I'olhtw  ing  year. 

1()0.  NN'hilc  a  zone  of  protection  has  been  spoken  of  as  tlu;  best  method 
of  safeguarding  the  vicinity  of  the  bree<ling  islands,  it  is  to  be  borne  in 
mind  that  such  an  area  might  be  delined  Ibr  practical  purposes  as  a 
rectangular  area  bounded  by  ci'itaiu  lines  of  latitude  and  longitude. 
lOveu  in  dense  fog.  and.  therefor(\  comparatively  calm  weather,  an 
arrested  vessel  could  \h\  anchored  with  a  kedge  and  w.up  until  the 
weather  cleared,  according  to  fretiiient  custom.  The  special  advantages 
t)f  a  concentric  zone  ap])ear  to  be  that  it  is  more  directly  in  conformity 
with  the  object  in  view,  and  that  in  line  weather  the  visibilitv  or  other- 
wise of  the  islands  themselves  might  serve  as  a  rough  gui<.e  to  sealers. 

1(11.  The  restriction  of  the  number  of  seals  killed  on  the  breeding 
islands,  ap;)ropriate  safeguards  being  provided,  admits  of  very  consid- 
erable precision,  and  re(|uires  no  sju'cial  exi)lanatioii.  That  the  restric- 
tion of  the  number  taken  at  sea  may  be  accomplished  practically  and 
with  all  n<'cessary  certainty,  and  that  the.  means  of  eoutiol  available  in 
the  case  of  this  branch  of  the  sealing  industry  are  si't'.  lent,  is  clearly 
shown  by  the  successful  a|)plication  of  measures  such  as  these  here 
])roi)ose(l,  to  the  .Jaii-3Iayen  and  Newlbiindlaiid  hair  seal  fisheries,  as 
well  as  of  tliosc^  based  on  like  principles  wliii;h  are  generally  employed 
in  protecting  lish  and  game. 


li() 


(C) — Mrllioil.s  of  f/iriiKj  (Jjcct  to  h'((li(l<(ti()iis. 


IGl*.  The  means  suited  to  secure  the  ]U'actical  elhciencyof  regulations 
at  sea  are  geiu'rally  indicated  by  those  adopted  in  the  instances  Just 
cited.     It  is  unnecessary  to  formulate  these  here  in  full  detail,  but  the 


I 


;  I 


4H 


KKI'OKT    OF    i;i;lTISll    COMMISSIONKKS. 


I'ollowiii};'  stiji'^icstioiis  iwv.  olViMt'd  iis  jtoiiitiii^'  out  tlioso  iiictliods  liUcly 
tn  pro' (' most  uscrnl  in  tlic  |iiuti«'iilar  ciisc  iiiMlcr  coiisidciatioii : 

(i.)  ritiitiitoiy  )iiovi>ioiis  should  Ix'  iiiiidc.  (Icclariii^"  it  iiiiiiiw  I'lil  to 
liuiit  or  lake  liir-scal  diiriiij;'  the  I'losv  season  hy  siil>j('('ts  or  ncsscIs  of 
thr  respect ivi'  I'oweis. 

(ii.)  Tiie  tiling  of  eoiiiineneeinent  of  the  st'aliii^i'  season  shouhl  be,  fur- 
tlier  rejiulated  by  t lie  <hite  of  issuane(M»f  special  Ciistouis  clearances 
and  of  licences  tor  sealiny,  and  prefcialdy  by  tlie  issuance}  of  such 
chiaranct'S  or  bceuces  fr(»ni  certain  s|»ecilied  itorts  oidy. 

(iii.)  As  elsewiiere  explained,  the  renulatioii  of  the  tiuu^  of  openin;^ 
of  tiie  sealinj;'  season  is  the  most  important,  and  the  closing'  of  the 
s<'ason  is  i»racti(;ally  bioujiht  about  by  the  ouset  of  rouj{h  weather  in 
the  early  autniiin.  If,  however,  it  be  considered  desirable  to  lix  a  pre- 
cise date  for  the  dose  of  seasealin^'  in  each  year,  this  can  be;  done,  as 
in  the  ease  of  the  date  of  sealinj;'  uiidei-  the  .Jun-.Mayeu  Convention. 

(iv.)  The  liability  for  breacli  of  tlu^  lenulations,  of  whatever  kind, 
should  be  made  to  ap|»ly  to  the  owner,  to  the  master  or  ])er.son  in  charj;e 
of  any  vessel,  and  to  the  hunters  <'nj;a,i;('d  on  the  vessel. 

(v.)  The  penalty  iiMi)osed  should  be  a  line  (of  which  one-half  siiould  no 
to  the  inforniaiit).  with  possibly,  in  a<ij;ravated  cases  or  second  otfences, 
the  lorfeiture  of  the  catch  and  of  tiie  vessel  itself. 

(vi.)  To  facilitate  the  supervision  of  the  seal  lishery  au<l  tluM'xecu- 
tiou  of  the  rej-idations.  all  sealers  mijiilt,  in  addition,  be  retpiired  to  lly 
ii  distinctive,  tiaj;,  which  mi;i'ht  well  be  identical  with,  or  some  colour 
modilication  of,  that  already  adopted  for  the  same  purpose  by  the 
Japanese  Government. 

( D.) — A  ItcnKttirc  Mctkods  of  liv(inJntU>n. 

1(!;>.  Altliouyh   the   .general    scheiiu'   of  measures   above  ibed 

appears  to  us,  all  thinj;s  considered,  to  be  the  most  ai>proi)riat«!  to  the 
actual  circumstances,  nuMisures  of  other  kinds  have  sujij>ested  them- 
selves. Some  of  these,  thoui-h  pi'rhaps  less  perfectly  adajited  to  seizure 
tln^  fullest  advantajics,  recommend  themsel\es  from  their  very  sim- 
plicity and  tlu^  ease  with  which  they  mifiiit  beapjdied.  Of  such  alter- 
native methods  of  rey.ilation,  tiiree  may  be  specially  referred  to: 

(i. ) — Kiiiin  rrohihflimi  af  KiU'nxj  on  mu  <//'  Ihc  lircfdiuij  InIiokIi,  ivitli  xiiituble  <  'oiicitrreitl 

li'iijiilc  liuiis  <it  N('((. 

1()1.  Th(\  entire  reservation  an<l  ])roteetion  of  one  of  the  two  larjjer 
islands  of  tlu-  rril)yloll'  .liroup,  either  St.  i'aul  or  St.  (Jeorse  Island, 
uii.n'ht  be  assured;  such  island  to  be  maintained  as  an  undisturbed 
breedinj;'  jjlace,  uj)on  whicii  no  seals  shall  ho,  killed  for  any  purpose. 
On  the  renuiininj>'  island,  tlie  iuiml)er  of  seals  killed  for  comnuacial  ])ur- 
poses  would  remaiu  wholly  under  the  control  of  the  Government  of  the 
United  States. 

Jn  consideration  of  the  jt'uarauteed  pceservatiou  of  abreedinj^'  island 
■with  the  ])urpose  of  insurin,i>  the  continuance  of  the  seal  stock  in  the 
eomi.iou  interest,  a /one  of  protected  waters  mijiiit  be  established  about 
the  Pribylotf  Islands,  and  pelagic  sealing'  mijiht  be  I'urt her  controlled 
and  restricted  by  means  of  a  close  season,  including'  the  early  spring' 
months,  or  by  a  i)r()tected  area  to  the  south  of  tlu^  Aleutian  Islands, 
delined  by  parallels  of  latitude.  Such  provisions  at  sea  to  have,  as  far 
as  possible,  quantivalent  relation  to  those  established  on  the  breeding 
islandv-s. 


;i)od 

to  the 

tlieui- 

se(;nie 

■y  siiii- 

alter- 


jiicuyfetit 

largei' 

Island, 

itiubt'(l 

lUi'pose. 

al  i>ur- 

«)1"  the 


UliPOUT    OF    HUITISII    COMMISSIONliliS. 


(i)'.) — Hccunriit  I'vriixln  of  L'est, 


49 


!(»."».  This  imi»li('S  the  provisional"  a  |»«'iio(|  of  rest,  oroxemption  of  all 
seals  IVoiii  Uilliii;^,  both  at  sea  and  on  shore,  to  extend  over  a  coniideto 

year,  at  suc^h  rccnrrent  intervals  as  may  be  deemed  neccssaiy. 
L!7  Snch  a  i)eriod  of  rest  mi;;ht  be  fixed  in  advance  for  every  fifth, 

or  i»ossil)ly  as  often  as  every  fourth,  year,  and  be  made  to  form  a 
part  of  a  general  seheni*^  ini])osinj,f  limitation  of  nnmbcr  of  seals  killed 
on  the  islamls  in  intervening  years,  to<;elher  with  restriction  by  time  or 
by  area  of  pelaj^ie  scalinj;'. 

While  proximately  C(inal  in  ('IVect  on  both  slioi'e  and  sea  killin<r,  ji 
l)eriod  of  rest  <d'  this  kind  woidd,  in  other  resi»ects,  cause  sonie  ineoii- 
venience  by  its  interruption  of  the  several  industries,  and  this,  thouf^h 
minimized  by  the  fact  that  the  date  of  occurrence  of  the  year  of  rest 
would  be  known  in  advance,  would  not  be  wholly  obviated  by  this 
cireumstance. 

(Hi.) — Total  rrohihition  of  KiUi»(j  on  the  Hircdinn  IhIhikU,  with  Cunrurrint  strict  Regu- 

Uition  of  I'vlayic  Sailiiuj. 

10(5.  While  the  circumstance  that  lonj^-  usa^o  may  in  a  measure  bo 
considered  as  Justifying;-  the  custom  of  killing  fur  seals  on  the  breeding 
islands,  many  facts  now  known  respectinj;  the  life  history  of  tlieaidmal 
itself,  with  valid  inferences  drawn  from  the  results  of  the  disturbance 
of  otlier  animals  upon  their  brecdin}^  places,  as  well  as  those  made 
obvious  by  the  new  conditions  which  have  arisen  in  conseciueiiceof  the 
development  of  pela;;ic  sealing',  point  to  the  conclusion  that  tlie  breed- 
injj  islands  should,  if  possible,  remain     ndisturbcd  and  inviolate. 

107.  If  this  view  should  be  admitted,  and  i)articnlarly  if  the  United 
States  and  Uussia,  as  the  owners  of  the  principal  brecdinjj  islands  of 
the  North  I'acilic,  should  aj^ree  lo  cooperate  in  entirely  i)roldbiting  all 
killing-  of  seals  on  these  islands,  and  in  gnar<ling  a..d  protecting  the 
breeding  places  upon  them,  it  should  be  possible  to  obtain,  in  considera- 
tion of  such  care  exercised  in  rhe  common  interest,  an  international 
assent  to  measures  regulating  sea  sealing,  of  any  re(iuired  degree  of 
stringemjy,  incliuliugcertain  special  rights  of  supervision  by  the  Powers 
mentioned. 

108.  It  might,  for  example,  under  such  circumstances,  bo  provided — 
(1.)  That  all  sealing- vessels  should  be  registered,  and  should  take  out 

special  licencesatoneor  other  of  certain  s])ecitied  ports,  as,  for  instance, 
Victoria,  I'ort  Townsend,  Honolulu,  Hakodate,  and  Vladivostock. 

(2.)  That  such  annual  clearances  or  licences  be  n<»t  issued  before  a 
given  date,  say,  1st  .May,  and  that  (pertain  licence  fees  be  exacted.  Such 
licence  fees  to  Iw  collected  by  tlu^  Customs  authorities  of  the  licensing 
(Jovernment,  and  to  be  eventually  transferred,  iii  whole  or  in  part,  pro- 
portiomitely,  to  the  Ciovernments  protecting  the  breeding  islands,  to  go 
toward  meeting  the  cost  of  this  protection. 

(3.)  That  no  vessel  should  seal  in  liehringSea  before  some  tixed  date 
(say,  1st  .luly)  in  each  year,  and  that  vessels  intending  to  seal  in  l>eh- 
ring  Sea  should  report  either  to  the  L7nited  States  or  to  the  Hussiau 
authorities  on  or  after  that  date  at  named  ports,  such  as  LTualaska  or 
Petrojtaulouski. 

Thati  all  duly  licensed  sealing-vossels  should  Ik 


(4.) 


'I' 


Hy 


distinctive  Hag,  and  that  any  unlicensed  vessel  found  engaged  in  seal- 
ing should  be  subject  to  certain  penalties. 

{').)  That  a  zone  of  protected  waters  should  be  established  about  the 
bleeding  islands,  within  which  no  sealing  shouhl  under  any  circum.; 
stances  be  permitted. 

B  S,  PT  VI 4i 


50 


REPOllT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


(!''.) — Tntcrnat'tonal  Action. 

109.  In  the  tbrejioir.u'  reniiivks  on  tho  iiioasures  available  for  the  pro- 
tection and  preservation  of  the  lurseal  of  tlie  North  I'aciflc,  referunee 
is  made  tlironshout  es])ei'iall,v  to  the  eastern  part  of  that  ocean,  includ- 
inj>'  more  i)articularly  the  area  comprised  in  the  ranye  of  those  fur  seals 
of  which  the  summer  haunts  and  breedin^j  i)laces  are  about  or  on  the 
Pribylotf  Islands,  and  of  ■  liicli  the  winter  home  is  found  especi-dly  oil' 
the  coast  of  Ihitish  (\)luml>ia.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  the  same 
remarks  and  recommendations  api)ly  eciwaily  to  those  fur-seals  which 
in  summer  centre  about  the  Commander  Islands,  and  in  winter  fre- 
(pient  the  seas  oft  the  coast  of  -bipan. 

170.  it  may  l)e  stated,  further,  that  no  system  of  control  (!an  be  con- 
sidered as  absolutely  com[)lete  and  effective  wduch  does  not  include 
under  (tommou  rejiulations  all  parts  of  the  North  i'aeilk%  and  that  the 
facility  of  execution  of  nieasnres  and  their  elliciency  wouhl,  under  any 

system  of  re.i;ulations,  be  nuu-li  increased  by  the  >'on(.'urrent 
28        action  of  (ireat  iUitain,  the  L"nite(i  States,  I'ussia,  a'ld  -Japan, 

as  indicated  in  the  .Messa.i-e  of  the  President  of  Mio  United 
States  in  ISSO.  A])art  fiom  the  tact  that  vessels  prevented  from  seal- 
ing' at  <;iven  dates  in  cerlain  areas  nnght  at  these  times  fre(pient  other 
waters  in  incicased  numbers,  the  circumstance  that  there  is  a  certain, 
thouyh  not  fully  known,  interrelation  and  interchang'eof  seals  between 
the  eastern  and  western  l)ri'('diii,<;'  islands  of  I'ehiing-  Sea,  points  very 
clearly  to  the  advisability  of  such  co  operation  in  protection. 


29 


Taut  1 1. 


DETAILED   OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE   FACTS  AND  CONDITIONS  OF 

SEAL  LIFE. 


-Natural  IIistory  and  ICxvntoN^rENT  of  tue  Fur-seal  of 

Tin:  Now  Til  I'AiiFic. 


(A.) — MifjratioHN  and  li'Du/e  of  the  Fur  .seal  of  the  Xurtk  Pacijic. 

{i.)—l'J(i.stvnt  Side  of  Ihe  Xorth  Pacific, 

171.  Kesi)ectiii,iif  tlie  migrations  iiiid  raiif;<;  of  tlie  fur  sciil  in  the  North 
rjU'itic,  while  niiiiierous  scattered  references  are  to  be  found,  these  ani 
for  the  most  part  frajiuientary  and  vaj-iie,  and  no  connected  account  of 
the  miji'rations  or  nii;;r;itioii  routes,  based  upon  facts,  have  heretofore 
l>een  given.  The  achlitional  information  gained  in  tl»e  course  of  sjtccial 
in(]uiries  on  this  subject  now,  however,  not  only  enables  the  migrations 
of  the  fur-seal  to  l)e  clearly  followed,  but  a]>pears  delinitively  to  set  at 
rest  the  ([uestion  which  has  been  consistently  asked  by  sealeis  from  the 
earliest  times  of  the  Kussiau  occupation  as  to  the  winter  habitat  of  the 
fur-seal. 

172.  NN'ritten  in<|uiries  on  this  and  other  points  were  achlressed  to  the 
district  Indian  agents  aLtng  the  coast  of  Jlritish  Columbia,  and  the 
traders,  Aleuts.  Indians,  and  others  interested  or  engaged  in  seal- 
hunting,  or  resident  on  the  West  Coast,  have  been  conversed  with  and 
(piestioncd.     (See  Appendix  C.) 

173.  The  notes  thus  obtained  are  summarized  below,  and  it  may  be 
stated  that,  with  few  and  unimi)ortant  exceptions,  such  as  nniy  be 
explained  by  variations  fiom  year  to  year  in  ..^iie  and  direction  of 
migration,  tiiese  are  concordant  and  homogeneoo-;  in  their  meaning. 

17-1.  Those  who  ha\e  been  upon  tiie  IMibyl(il>  Islands  in  the  autumn 
and  winter  state  that  the  seals  leave  these  islanasand  their  vicinity  for 
the  south  ehieliy  between  the  middle  of  Oclobi'r  and  the  early  jyart  of 
Decembei',  though  a  few  may  dei)art  befoi*;  the  tirst  date,  while  in 
exceptionally  mild  seasons  stragglers  have  been  known  to  remain  after 
the  lattei'  month.  The  matuie  seals,  es|>ecially  the  ft  ninles,  are  the  first 
to  leave,  the  i»ups  (now  on  account  of  their  change  of  co;it  ranking  as 
.»giey  pups'')  going  later,  and  almost  all  about  the  middle  (»t  No\  ember, 
when  they  are  driven  t)lf  by  the  weather.  The  '•holluschickie"  (half- 
grown  males  or  "baehelors")  and  a  few  old  bulls  are  the  last  to  leave. 

175.  From  October  to  l)ecend)er,  but  chiefly  in  November,  the  seals 
are  seen  in  varying  abundance  by  the  Aleuts  of  the  eastern  part  of  the 
Aleutian  Islands,  and  are  liunteil  by  these  people. 

61 


w 


52 


REPORT   OF    URITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


The  cpeniiif^s  in  tlio  Aleiitiiin  cliaiii,  tlirou,i;li  wliicli  most  of  tlio  seals 
go  southward,  are  those  known  as  tlie  IJnalya,  Akutan,  IJniinak,  and 
Issanakli  Passes.  The  serus  killed  here  are  ehieliy  ^ley  pups,  which, 
particuh\r]y  when  Hie  wind  bh)ws  strongly  from  northerly  directions, 
seem  to  miss  tlie  actual  passes,  and  to  become  embayed  for  a  time  in  the 
harbours  and  inlets  on  the  northern  side  of  the  islands. 

When  strong  easterly  winds  prevail  at  this  sesison,  grey  pups,  which 
have  evidently  made  their  dei)arture  from  the  I'ribylott"  Islands,  are 
occasionally  and  in  small  numbers  drilted  as  far  to  the  westward  as 
Atka  Island,  longitude  172°  west,  but  none  are  ever  seen  at  Attn 
Island. 

17<).  On  gettingclcarof  the  Aleutian  Islands,  the  seals  continue  their 
migration  in  a  southerly  or  south  easterly  direction,  and  do  not  follow 
tiie  coast  in  its  north-easterly  sweep,  round  the  border  of  that  part  of 
the  oceari  which  is  sometimes  called  the  Gulf  of  Alaska.  They  are  not 
seen  nbuut  Kadiak  at  this  season,  and  oidy  rarely  in  the  autumn  and 
winter  oif  ISitka.  Nearly  two  degrees  of  latitude  south  of  Sitka,  liow- 
e.er,  the  Indians  of  Klawak,  in  the  Ducarelli  Gulf,  take  a  number  of 
seals  every  winter,  generally  about  Christmas,  most  of  these  being  grey 
pups  or  yearlings. 

177.  About  the  noithern  ])art  of  the  (Jneen  C'harlotte  Islands,  some 
young  seals  are  seen  evtry  winter  toward  the  end  of  January  and  in 
February.  These  are  chi<'Hy  grey  pu])s  or  yearlings,  though  a  few  full- 
grown  males  and  seals  of  otlior  ages  are  seen  as  well.  Hunting  is  not 
carried  on  at  this  season,  but  considerable  numbers  of  such  seals 
30  have  sometimes  been  taken  close  to  the  shore.  IJetweeu  the 
hitter  i)art  of  I'ebruary  and  the  third  week  in  April,  it  is  stated 
that  no  seals  are  seen  here. 

Abreivt  of,  or  somewhat  further  north  than,  the  Queen  (Jharlotte 
Islands,  a  considerable  body  of  seals  is  often  met  with  at  sea  by  the  pe- 
lagic sealers  in  May  or  June.     These  sesds  are  then  moving  northward. 

In  the  northern  part  of  Hecate  J^trait  and  its  adjacent  waters  a  few 
{:;rey  pups  are  said  to  bo  olten  found  in  Xovember  and  December,  but 
persons  giving  information  on  this  ])oiiit  mention  the  end  of  December 
as  the  time  of  arrival.  JSeals  are  mori^  [ilentiful  in  January,  February, 
and  March,  but  particularly  in  February.  The  entrance  to  \Vark  Inlet 
is  specially  noted  as  a  locality  at  which  grey  pups  are  often  obtained 
at  this  season.  A  few  adult  seals  are  sometimes  taken  in  winter  ott' 
r»anks  Island,  but  no  icgnlar  hunting  is  attempted  theie  before  the  1st 
March,  when  Uonilla  Island  is  occujiied  for  this  purpose  by  Kit  katla 
Iiuliaiis,  and  the  1st  xVpril,  at  which  time  Tshimsians  resort  to  Zayas 
Island  for  the  same  purpose.  The  hunting,  as  at  i)resent  practised, 
extends  over  April  and  the  grenter  j)art  of  May;  olf  JJonilla  island  it 
is  continued  thiough  the  greater  ])art  of  June,  but  this  dilfereiice  is 
due  rather  to  tlie  option  of  the  Indians  than  to  any  diversity  in  dates 
in  the  arrival  and  departure  of  the  seals  in  the  two  places. 

Seals  ot;  both  sexes  and  all  ages  are  killed  during  the  hunting  season, 
and  a  few  full-grown  bulls  are  seen,  but  are  seldom  taken.  There  is, 
in  this  region,  no  interval  between  the  arrival  of  seals  from  the  north 
in  the  early  winter  ami  their  departure  for  the  north,  which  occurs  in 
the  main  about  the  end  of  May. 

Mr.  H.  Cunningham  states,  that  about  twenty  three  years  ago,  hci 
was  personally  cognizant  of  the  fact  that  for  several  successive  years 
a  small  colony  of  adult  seals  stayed  all  the  winter  about  Somei'villo 
Island,  in  the  entrance  of  Observatory  Inlet.  Tluse  seals  tii»peared  to 
be  following  and  feeding  upon  the  ulachau  or  cai.dle  lish. 


REPORT   OF    nimiSII    COMMISSIONERS. 


53 


'•(),  ho 


178.  On  tliat  ])art  of  tlic  const  about  Milbank  and  Fitzlingh  Sonixls, 
still  further  .south,  but  unlike  the  last  region  in  being  fully  open  to  the 
J'aeilic,  a  lew  seals  are  seen  about  Christmas,  or  not  long  thereafter. 
They  are  generally  lirst  observed  outside  Cai>e  Calvert.  Seals  are 
most  abundant  in  March,  but  a  i'ew  remain  till  the  latter  part  of  June. 
The  seals  coming  lirst  are  cliielly  fenmles,  but  aft^a-  about  the  1st  dune 
they  are  nearly  all  young  nniles.  Fully  matured  large  males  are  found 
in  small  nund)ers;  grey  i)U])s  or  yearlings  venture  iurther  into  the  inner 
channels,  and  come  nearer  to  the  shores. 

179.  About  the  north  end  of  Vancouver's  Island  and  the  entrance  to 
(Jueeu  Charlotte  Sound  (he  seals  are  iirst  seen  early  in  December,  but 
not  in  any  abundance  until  about  Ciu'istmas,  from  wliicii  time,  for  a 
month  or  six  weeks,  they  are  very  numerous  in  all  this  vicinity;  though 
the  stormy  character  of  the  weather  prevents  the  Indian  hunters  from 
going  far  to  sea  in  i>ursuitof  them.  They  are  stated  todisajtpear  about 
A])ril.  The  Icmales  are  the  lirst  to  arrive  in  the  winter.  l)ut  are  fol- 
lowed by  the  grey  ))ups  or  yearlings  a  little  later,  and  in  most  of  ihe 
tinjc  during  wiiicli  the  seals  remain,  both  sexes  and  all  ages  are  re])re- 
sented,  though  the  grey  ])ni)s  come  nearest  to  the  shore,  particularly 
M'hen  the  weather  is  longh.  In  the  winter  of  ISIKMH,  a  nundjer  of 
seals  were  killed  by  the  Indians  as  far  in  as  the  entrance  of  Knight's 
Inlet,  and  on  one  ocicasion  (according  to  INIr.  Iluson,  about  1870,  in 
March)  a  great  number  of  grey  [)ups  ascended  Knight's  and  Kingcombo 
Iidets  to  their  heads,  following  the  ulachan,  which  seek  these  places 
to  spawn  at  this  season. 

180.  At  Nootka.  on  tlic  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island,  it  is  stated 
that  no  seals  are  seen  before  Christmas,  but  in  the  lirst  or  secoiul  week 
after  that  date,  according  to  the  weather,  huntiiiu  begins,  ami  is  con-- 
tinned  for  three  months.  Oc(;asional  large  old  Imlls  are  also  rarely 
seen  here. 

181.  AtClayo(iuot  Sound,  the  seals  anive  .ibont  Christmas,  or  between 
that  time  and  the  end  of  l)ccend)er,  and  1  uting  licgiiis  early  in  .lanu- 
ary.  The  Indians  reixnt  that  some  scliooiicis  hunt  olf  that  coast  for 
ahout  a  month  from  this  date  before  going  north.  Sc;ils  of  both  sexes 
ap])ear  here  aiul  remain  together,  but  no  large  bull-  Inive  ever  lu-en 
seen. 

In  lS8r>  seals  were  unusually  abundant  off"  01ayo(jiU)t  as  early  as  the 
10th  or  15th  ])ecend)er,  but  were  nu)stly  grey  pups  "smalls, '  or  2  and 
li  year  olds. 

182.  Ahont  IJan^ay  Sound  the  seals  are  first  reported  in  I)e<'<'inber, 
and  are  oltcn  very  abundant  during  January  and  FebruarN .  The 
greater  number  leave  before  the  end  of  Aiiril,  when  they  b<'gin  to  travel 
north,  but  a  few  are  killed,  furthci'  out  at  sea,  sometimes  as  late  as  tlx' 
ir)th  -hme. 

Most  of  the  skins  brought  in  by  Indians  ai'e  grey  pups  or  "  tinalls," 
but  in  18!)1  there  v.as  an  unusual  numhcr  of  adult  skins. 

18|{.  With  further  relei'encc  to  theoccuirence  of  fur  seals  on  tlie 
oO  A  coast  of  IJritish  Cohunbia  generally,  the  following  not;'  by  Mr.  J. 
W.  Mackay.  who  has  Ibr  many  years  been  conversant  with  this 
coast,  may  be  (pioted.  In  reply  to  in(|uiiies  made,  Ini  writes:  "These 
aninuils  were  driven  to  the  ocean  from  the  narrow  waters  by  the  use  of 
fire  arms  in  hniiti.ig.  During  the  s])ring,  nund)ers  of  the  young  ain- 
nnds  llsh  in  the  broken  waters  inside  tlu^  hall  tide  rocks  and  reefs  which 
fringe  the  western  shores  of  Xancouvi-r  Island  and  of  the  other  islands 
which  lie  west  of  t'se  imiinland  fiom  (^)neen  Charlotte  Scmnd  to  l^ix(»n 
Entrance.    The  older  aninuds  remain  further  at  sea,  but  numbers  of 


54 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


tliom  take  rofn^e  in  tlio  larger  sounds  duiinfj  stormy  weatlier;  I  have 
seen  them  off  Metla-katla  in  the  month  of  January/' 

184.  Captain  John  Devereux,  Avho  lias  been  for  twenty-seven  years  on 
the  coast  of  British  Columbia,  and  has  had  excellent  o])portunities  for 
observation,  in  command  of  the  Canadian  Government  steamer  "Dong- 
las,"  informs  ns,  in  reply  to  questions  addressed  to  him.  that  from  the 
latter  part  of  November,  or  early  in  December, to  the  bej^i  nningof  June, 
the  fur-seal  is  found  off  the  coast  of  the  entire  lengtii  of  Vancouver 
Island,  nut  that  in  the  early  winter  the  weather  is  altogether  too  rough 
for  hunting.  He  adds,  "When  they  are  found  along  the  bank  on  tlie 
Avest  coast  of  Vancouver  Island  tlu-y  arc  feeding  on  their  natural  fce,'- 
ing-grounds."  He  furtlicr  states  tliat,  though  often  far  off  the  land,  he 
has  frequently  found  tlicm  inshore,  and  even  eighteen  miles  u])  I'.arclay 
Sound;  as  well  as  in  the  Strait  of  Fuca,  and,  on  rare  occasions,  iu  the 
Gulf  of  Georgia. 

185.  Near  Cape  Flattery  and  about  the  entrance  of  the  Straits  of 
Fuca,  it  is  reported  that  the  Indians  have  on  cxcejttional  occasions 
seen  seals  as  early  as  December,  and  schooners  have  been  known  to 
take  seals  in  that  month  otf  the  Cape;  but  the  seals  usually  ariive 
about  the  1st  -lanuary,  when  hunting  begins.  Grey  ])ups  are  the  first 
to  appear,  but  in  February  all  sorts  of  seals  are  found,  except  mature 
males.  No  full-grown  bulls  have  ever  been  seen  in  this  vicinity.  No 
females  with  puj)  are  fouiul  after  the  5th  o"  (Ith  July,  and  it  is  i)rob- 
able  that  only  a  few  stragglers  of  any  kind  remain,  though,  according 
to  Judge  Swan,  occasional  seals  are  to  l)e  found  here  at  all  seasons. 
The  last  seals  seen  in  summer  are  as  a  rule  males  or  barren  fem.ales. 
In  exceptional  instances  a  few  seals,  i)r()bably  grey  i)nps  or  yearlings, 
have  been  noted  in  recent  years  as  far  u[>  the  Straits  of  Fuca  as  Vic- 
toria and  Port  Townsend.  Mr.  J.  W.  iNIackay,  already  quoted,  states 
that  the  older  hunters  of  the  Songis,  Sooke,  and  TLdnm  tribes,  living 
on  or  near  the  southern  end  of  Vancouver  Island,  told  liiin  that  in  for- 
mer years  fur  seals  were  in  the  habit  of  landing  in  large  numbers  at 
liace  Kocks,  within  11  miles  of  Victoria.  Fur  seals  also  many  years 
ago  frequented  the  Gulf  of  Georgia,  and  IMr.  Mackay  has  liimself 
bought  skins  from  the  Seshal  Indians,  of  Jarvis  Inlet,  which  they  had 
taken  at  Sangster  Island,  near  Texada  Island. 

18G.  I^'rom  the  foregoing  notes,  embodying  the  result  of  careful 
inquiries  personally  made  at  the  localities  referred  to  along  a  stretcl* 
of  2,01)0  miles  of  the  west  coast  of  the  Continent,  it  is  evident  that  in 
that  part  of  the  ocean  adjacent  to  the  entire  length  of  the  coast  of 
British  Columbia,  as  well  as  within  the  main  ojienings  an<l  inlets  of 
that  coast,  th>'  fur  seal  is  a  ])ernianent  winter  resident,  arriving  soon 
after  it  is  known  to  have  passed  soutliwiird  through  the  Aleutian  chain, 
and  remaining  till  a  general  movement  to  the  north  begins  in  thecarly 
spring,  ami,  though  the  nn)vemeiit  last  referred  to  a<M|uires  greater 
force  aiul  regularity  towards  its  elose,  no  time  occurs  between  the 
arrival  of  the  s(>als  fiom  the  north  and  the  return  migration,  at  which 
they  are  not  found  oil"  this  coast. 

187.  To  the  north  of  the  (Jueen  Charlotte  Islands,  however,  the  case 
is  different,  for  here,  as  already  stated,  the  seals  do  not  follow  the 
coast  in  the  autumn  migration,  whereas  they  move  in  lather  close 
parallelism  or  contiguity  to  il  when  on  their  way  uiiith  in  the  spring 
and  early  summer.  Thus,  in  the  vicinity  of  Sitka  some  seals  appear 
near  the  coast  .as  early  as  the  middle  of  April,  bul  Ihey  become  abun- 
dant during  May,  and  some  are  still  seen  in  the  early  part  of  June. 

On  the  Fairweather  ground,  in  the  Gulf  of  Alaska,  seals  are  most 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


55 


linmerous  from  the  1st  to  the  irith  June.  Abont  tlie  2r)th  June,  in  ISOl, 
tuey  were  found  in  abundance  by  the  sealing-schooners  on  tlie  rortlock 
banks,  to  the  east  of  Kadiak  Island. 

About  Kadiak  they  are  s<^'nerally  found  from  the  2r)th  ^Fay  to  the  end 
of  June,  beinjj  most  abundant  in  the  avoiaye  of  years  about  th.e  lOth 
June.  They  are  sehlom  seen  in  July,  and  very  rarely  even  straj;glera 
are  noticed  after  the  middle  of  that  month. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  or  about  the  1st  July,  the  female  seals  in 
pup,  which  have  entered  liohrinff  Sea,  are  found  only  makinj;  their 
way  rapidly  and  directly  to  the  breeding  islands,  while  the  great  body 
of  non-breeding  seals  either  travel  in  a  more  leisurely  way  and  witli 
frequent  intervals  of  rest,  in  the  same  direction,  or  disperse  themselves 

in  search  of  food  over  various  i  arts  of  tlu'.  sea. 
30  B  188.  According  to  Elliott,  Bryant,  and  Maynard,  the  greater 
number  of  the  adult  breeding  males  (known  as  "beaclunasters" 
or  "seacatchie")  arrive  at  the  Pribylolf  Islands  and  take  up  positions 
there,  from  the  1st  to  about  the  middle  of  June.  The  females  about 
to  give  birth  to  their  pups  follow,  at  lirst  in  small  and  tlien  in  large 
nund)ers,  their  time  of  arrival  ending  about  the  lOth  to  L'r)th  July. 
Yearlings  (the  grey  ])ups  of  the  previous  season)  come  to  the  islands 
in  great  numbers  in  the  1;  iter  part  of  July. 

189.  Comparatively  little  attention  has  been  given  to  the  movements 
of  the  full-grown  males  by  the  pelagic  sealers,  because  of  the  small 
value  of  their  skins,  but  it  has  been  noticed  that  even  as  early  as  ]\Fay 
the  females  at  sea  are  travelling  more  persistently  than  the  other  seals 
to  the  north,  while  after  the  1st  June  they  are  said  to  "bunch  up"  and 
to  travel  so  fast  towards  the  passes  in  the  Aleutian  Islands,  that  it  is 
impossible  to  kill  many  of  them. 

liK).  Respecting  the  extreme  southern  limit  of  the  range  of  the  fur- 
seal  of  the  North  Pacific  on  the  American  coast,  little  can  be  added  to 
what  has  already  been  published.  Tiie  earliest  departures  of  vessels 
for  pelagic  sealing  froui  Victoria  usually  occur  not  long  after  the  1st 
January;  these  vessels  then  generally  cruize  southwards,  sometimes 
nearly  to  the  latitude  of  San  Francisco,  in  pursuit  of  seals;  but  it  would 
appear  that  no  large  "  catches  "  have  been  recorded  to  the  south  of  the 
Columbia  liiver,  and  frequently  much  of  what  has  been  classed  in  the 
Keturns  as  "south-coast  catch"'  has  been  obtained  off  the  entrance  of 
the  Strait  of  Fuca.  It  seems  certain  that  in  recent  years,  at  least,  no 
considerable  number  of  seals  is  fouiul  further  south  than  about  'l(i° 
iMnth  latitude,  though  stragglers  may  find  their  way  much  further  south. 

Captfiin  Scammon,  in  his  work  on  marine  mammalia,  states  that  fur- 
seals  were  formerly  abundant  on  the  Calilbrnian  coast.  They  have  been 
noted,  in  small  numbers,  as  lately  as  1878  on  the  coast  of  Southern 
California,*  while  Professor  Jordan  informs  us  that  they  were  still  taken 
in  considerable  nund)crs  on  the  (iiuadaloupe  Islaiids  there  in  lS79.t  We 
have  also  been  informed  by  an  eNjierienced  sealer  that  in  former  years, 
he  had  seen  fur-seals  as  far  south  as  the  (Julf  of  Tehuantapcc. 

191.  On  tills  subject  Professor  Allen  writes:  "The  fur-seal  is  well 
known  to  have  been  formerly  abundunt  on  tlie  western  coast  of  North 
America,  as  far  south  as  California,  but  the  exact  southern  limit  of  this 
range  I  have  been  unable  to  determine.'''  He  tiieii  iiuotes  Scammon  as 
to  the  occurrence  of  these  animals  on  the  San  IJeiiito  Islands,  the  coast 
of  Lower  California,  Guadiiloupe  Island,  and  Cedros  Island,  in  latitude 
L'8'^.    He  adds,  writing  in  1880:  "Although  at  one  time  abundant  on 

*Klli<)tt,  ('(Mi'ins  Rcjidrt,  p,  (ii!. 

t"  I'iHhoij  Imliisltitis  of  the  'i'liitetl  States,"  vol.  ii,  p.  393. 


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REPORT   OF    imiTISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


ii 


the  Californiii  coast,  tlioy  are  by  no  means  mnncrous  tlierenow,  liaviiig 
been  neaily  extorininated  by  unrestricted  slaufrlitor  by  tlie  sealers."* 
This  local  dejdetion  of  seals  may  incidentally  be  taken  as  a  (urther  evi- 
dence of  the  local  character  of  the  seal  herds  above  referred  to,  a  point 
of  some  importance,  which  is  subsequently  discussed.  If  included  in 
the  annual  migration -cycle  of  the  l'ril)ylo(i"  Island  seals,  theOaliforniau 
coast  should  not  at  this  date  h.ave  shown  any  notable  sign  of  diminu- 
tion in  number  of  seals. 

It  is,  however,  extremely  improbable  that  these  seals  were  concerned 
in  the  annual  migration  to  Behring  Sea,  and  doubtful  whether  they 
were  regularly  migratory  at  all  in  tlie  i)roper  sense  of  the  term.  Like 
most  of  the  fur-seals  of  the  southern  hemisphere,  they  may  merely  have 
resorted  to  the  neighbouring  land  at  the  breeding  season. 

Scammon  states  that  the  fur  seals  formerly  bred  along  the  Californian 
coast.  The  Farallone  Islands,  otf  that  coast,  are  known  to  have  been 
the  resort  of  a  considerable  body  of  seals,  which  jnay  be  assumed  to 
have  been  of  the  same  species  with  those  of  the  North  Pacillc,  and 
doubtless  occupied  these  islamls  as  breeding  ])laces.  The  Russians 
established  a  station  there,  and,  "from  1812  to  1818,  about  8,400  fur- 
seal  skins  were  obtained  there,  and  it  is  stated  that  before  their  o;!cu- 
l)ation  by  the  llussians  as  numy  as  10,000  were  taken  on  these  islands 
in  a  single  autumn."t  The  season  at  which  this  killing  took  place,  if 
correctly  given,  is  alone  sullicient  to  show  that  the  seals  Ibuiul  here 
were  not  migrants  from  the  far  north. 

192.  Disregarding  exce])tional  cases  of  small  imi)ortance,  with  the 
occurrence  of  stragglers  preceding  or  lagging  behind  the  main  body  of 
seals,  aiul  including  both  sexes  and  all  ages  of  seals  without  reference 
to  the  different  dates  at  which  these  are  known  to  reach  various  points, 
it  would  thus  appear  that  the  seals  which  resort  to  the  eastern  part  of 
lieiiring  Sea,  with  the  rribylotf  Islands  as  a  centre,  in  the  main 
31  fre<iuent  that  sea  from  the  early  ])art  of  June  till  about  the 
middle  of  Xovend)er,  a  period  of  about  five  months  and  a-half. 
IJehring  Sea  may,  in  fact,  be  named  their  summer  hahitat. 

During  a  jteriod  of  four  and  a-half  or  five  months,  extending  in  the 
main  from  about  the  1st  January  to  the  middle  or  end  of  ]May,  they 
frequent  the  sea  lying  off  that  i)art  of  the  West  Coast  included  between 
the  5(>th  and  4(ith  i)arallels  of  north  latitude, — these  limits  including 
the  whole  length  of  the  British  Columbian  coast,  and  extending  beyond 
it  slightly  at  both  extremes.  This  is  the  winter  habitat  of  the  fur-seal 
of  the  eastern  side  of  the  North  Pacific. 

During  a  great  ])art  of  the  time,  in  which  the  seals  are  oft'  this  coast, 
the  weather  is  so  tempestuous  as  to  prevent  successl'ul  pelagic  hunting, 
whether  from  vSchooners,  or  directly  by  canoes  using  the  shore  as  a  base 
of  operations.  The  actual  numbers  of  seals  seen  close  in  shore  dejiend 
largely  upon  the  weather  in  e.ach  locality,  and  varies  much  from  year  to 
year;  .and  with  a  prevalence  of  strong  westerly  winds,  the  grey  ])U])S 
or  yearlings  arediiven  into  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  coast  and  into 
its  bays  and  channels,  first  and  in  the  largest  numbers.  The  neigh- 
bourhood of  Dixon  Entrance,  the  noi'thern  end  of  Vancouver  Island, 
the  entrance  to  Queen  Charlotte  Sound,  and  the  entrance  to  the  Straits 
of  Fuca,  are  localities  specially  notable  for  the  abundance  of  seals 
during  tlie  winter  and  siiring. 

The  actual  rescu'ts  of  the  seals  are  not  alone  inlluenced  by  the  weather, 
but  also  greatly  by  the  supply  of  suitable  food,  as  more  fully  explaine<l 

*  "  Moiiograpb  of  North  Aniorican  Pinnipeds,"  p.  332. 
t  Bancroft's  Works,  vol.  xxxiii,  p.  487. 


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67 


olsewliere;  and  it  i.s  i)r(»bably  in  jiicaf  inoasnro  heciiusc  of  the  abiiii- 
<lance  of  food  lislies  near  tin;  larj^an-  oi>('iiiii<;s  in  the  land  above  men- 
tioned, that  these  jdaees  are  special  lesoits. 

193.  It  is  a  noteworthy  and  intcvestinj;  fact,  ascertained  in  tlie  course 
of  the  ju'esent  inquiry,  that  the  ftill^rown  males,  known  as  "beach- 
masters"  or  "seacatchie,"  I'.avc  seldom  or  never  been  reported  to  the 
south  of  the  50th  parallel,  while  all  other  classes  of  seals  are  foun,!  in 
considerable  nund)er8  much  further  south.  This  statement,  of  course, 
applies  to  the  seals  frecim'Utinj;'  as  their  winter  habitat  that  part  of 
the  ocean  lying  olf  the  coasts  of  JJritish  Columbia  and  the  tState  of 
Washington. 

VM.  Touching  the  distance  to  which  the  seals  extend  off  the  coast 
during  the  winter  months,  the  generally  stormy  weather  at  this  season, 
with  tlie  dependant  absence  of  pelagic  sealers,  have  prevented  accurate 
information  from  being  obtained.  Cai)tain  J)evereux,  already  cited, 
has,  however,  i)ossessed  sjtecial  opi)ortunities  tor  obtaining  information 
on  tliis  subject.  lie  writes:  "The  distance  from  the  sImuc  where  they 
(fur-seals)  are  to  be  found  most  plentiful,  say,  olf  Cape  IJeale  (where 
the  bank  extends  furthest  from  the  land),  is  from  .'!()  to  lot)  miles;  but 
these  figures  must  not  be  taken  by  any  nieans  as  a  fixed  limit,"  Judge 
iSwan  has  recorded  the  fact  that,  in  LS.SO,  large  numbers  of  fur-seals 
were  seen  at  from  100  to  ,'{00  miles  olf  shore  by  vessels  bound  into  the 
Straits  of  Fuca  from  China  and  the  Sandwich  Islands,  but  tin;  exact 
time  of  year  is  not  given.*  AV'hile  the  seals  are  moving  northward  in 
the  spring,  it  can  only  be  stated  that,  when  the  weather  becomes  such 
as  to  enable  pelagic  hunting  to  be  cairied  on,  the  nniin  body  of  seals  is 
found  to  extend  for  a  width  of  oO  or  GO  miles  off  the  coast  of  Vancouver 
Island,  and  for  about  80  miles  off  the  Queen  Charlotte  Islands. 

lOf).  JSetween  the  winter  and  summer  resorts  of  the  fur-seals  lies  a 
miniunim  distance  of  about  l,liOO  miles,  across  which  they  pass  only 
during  their  migraticni.  As  already  slated,  in  their  si)riiig  migiation 
they  api»o{xr  to  follow  parallel  to  the  general  trend  of  the  coast  on  their 
way  northward  and  westward,  keeping  in  touch  with  the  shore,  or  at 
least  with  the  souiulings  or  subinaiine  edge  of  the  continental  jilateau. 

106.  In  their  southern  or  south  eastern  migration  the  seals  do  not 
follow  the  coast,  but  after  passing  through  the  Aleutian  Islands,  it  is 
])ossible  that  they  may  at  first  scatter  rather  widely  and  at  random  over 
the  ocean.  It  is  certain,atleast,  that  they  do  not  jtuisue  a  direct  course 
to  the  northern  portion  of  their  winter  habitat,  and  thence  travel  regu- 
larly southward  along  the  coast.  The  comparatively  small  differences 
and  occasional  irregularities  in  their  dates  of  arrival  in  the  different 
parts  of  their  winter  resorts,  with  other  circumstances,  seem  to  indicate 
that  they  come  in-shore  from  the  westward  with  an  extended  front. 
This,  it  would  ai>pear,  results  naturally  from  the  set  of  the  currents  in 
this  part  of  the  ocean  from  west  to  east  and  directly  toward  the  coast, 
together  with  the  ]nevale!tt  westerly  winds  of  Kovemlier,  December, 
and  January.'  The  latter  are  well  shown  in  d(!tail  on  ]\Iaps  27,  47, 
and  49  in  the  "Challenger"  Kejjorts,  Thysics  and  (Chemistry,  vol.  ii. 
(For  currents  ami  directions  of  drill  in  the  I'acific  Ocean, see  esi)ecially 
Tetermann's  "Mitteilungen,"  3()  Kand,  1S90.) 

While,  therefoie,  the  course  and  jtwiiuier  of  this  southern  and  eastern 

jnigration  (embracing  scarcely  two  months  of  the  entire  year) 

32        must  at  present  remain  to  some  extent  hyj)othetical,  the  whole 

remaining  migratory  route  of  the  fur-seal  is  n(»w  accurately  known, 

ami  the  circumstances  are  such  as  to  leave  little  doubt  that  this  partis 

•"Fishery  ludustries  of  the  Uuitecl  States,"  vol.  ii,  p.  3U4. 


58 


UEl'OliT    OF    JiUITISH    COMUISSIONRRS. 


conoctly  ('xi»Iiiiii('(l  ns  iihovc.  It  iiiiiy  he.  supposed.  Unit  to  the  winds 
aiul  nu rents  (^liictly  is  attiihiitiible  tliecoiicentiiitioii  ot  tlie  I'lir  seals  in 
the  vicinity  of  tlie  <'oast  i)rei>ai  atory  to  the  inception  of  the  spontaneous 
northward  movement  early  in  tlio  spriiij^. 


(ii.) — WiHtcni  Side  of  the  Korth  racific. 

197.  l{esi)e('tin}j;  (lu'  ini^i'ration  ran<>e  of  the  fur-seals  whieli  resort  to 
the  ('oiimiandcr  Islands,  to  Kol>lten  island,  and  in  smaller  nund)ers  to 
several  places  in  the  Kurile  Islands,  as  more  fully  noted  in  snbsecpient 
l)aj'es,  compaiativcly  little  has  hcen  recorded;  but  the  result  of  inquir- 
ies nujde  in  various  directi(Uis,  wlion  broui^jht  toji»'ther,  are  sutlicient  to 
enable  its  {general  character  and  the  area  which  it  covers  to  be  oiitlined. 
The  deficiency  in  information  for  the  Asiatic  (!oast  dejiends  on  the  fact 
that  ]H'la{>i<'  sealinj;,  as  understood  on  the  coast  of  Anu'rica,  is  there 
practically  uidiiiown,  wlnle  the  ])eoi>le  iidiabitiii},'  the  coast  and  its 
a<ljacent  islands  do  not,  like  the  Indians  and  Aleuts  of  the  opposite 
side  of  the  North  Taciiic,  naturally  venture  far  to  sea  for  Inintiiifj 
purposes. 

]".(S.  The  facts  already  cited  in  (connection  with  the  nn"{?ration  of  the 
seals  on  the  east  side  of  the  Pacific,  show  that  these  animals  enter  ami 
leave  Ucliriuf'' S«'a  almost  entirely  by  the  eastern  passes  tluoujjh  the 
Aleutian  chain,  and  that  only  under  exceptional  circumstan<'es,  and 
umler  stress  of  w(  at  iier,  arc  some  younji'  seals,  while  on  their  way  south, 
driven  as  far  to  the  west  as  Atka  Island.  No  larfje  bodies  of  nngratiu};- 
seals  are  known  to  pass  near  Attn  island,  the  westernmost  of  the  Aleu- 
tians, and  no  yonnj;  seals  have  ever  within  memory  been  seen  there. 
These  circumstances,  with  otheis  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail 
liere,  are  suHiciiMit  to  demonstrate  that  the  main  migration  routes  of 
the  seals  fre(pu'nting  the  OoniMiander  Islands  do  not  touch  the  Aleu- 
tian chain,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  although  the  seals 
become  more  or  less  commingled  in  liehring  Sea  during  the  summer, 
the  migration-routes  of  the  two  sides  of  the  North  i'acifit  are  essentially 
distinct. 

VM).  During  the  late  autumn,  the  winter,  and  in  early  spring,  the 
fur-seals  of  tlie  western  side  of  the  North  Pacific  are  in  fact  km)wn  to 
fretpient  that  i)art  of  the  ocean  to  the  eastward  of  the  Island  of  Yezo, 
the  northernmost  of  the  .lapanese  grouj),  and  are  seen  abont  that  coast 
chiefly  between  InoI>asaki  and  the  east  part  of  Yezo.  As  the  prevailing 
winds  are  at  these  seasons  offshore,  and  as  neither  these  nor  any 
oceanic  current  tend  to  establish  a  drift  toward  the  land,  the  fur-seals 
are  probably  much  more  widely  scattered  in  proixntion  to  their  numbers, 
and  are  spread  out  to  a  greater  distance  from  the  land  here,  than  those 
of  the  other  side  of  the  ocean  are  found  to  be  during  the  eorres]K)nding 
])eriod  of  stay  in  their  winter  habitat.  This  belief  corres])onds  witli 
such  information  as  Ave  have  been  able  to  obtain  (  n  the  subject,  and 
probably  in  i>art  at  least  explain.s  the  fact  that  it  has  not  yet  been  fouml 
to  be  a  i)rorital)le  enter])rise  to  engage  in  pelagic  sealing  in  this  portion 
of  the  Pacilic.  It  must  furlher,  liowevcr,  be  mentioned  here,  that  no 
definite  infoiination  has  been  obtained  as  to  the  northern  limit  of  the 
tract  which  may  be  described  as  the  winter  habitat  of  the  fur-seal  on  the 
western  side  of  the  North  Pacilic.  It  may  therefore  ])ossibly  include 
sonu'  portion  of  the  waters  adjacent  to  the  Kuiih;  Islands. 

200.  According  to  information  contained  in  a  Memorandum  sujiplied 
by  your  Majesty's  ]\Iinister  at  TokiA  (A])i)endix  B),  the  seals  are  first 
Been  otf  the  coast  of  Yezo  early  in  Novend)er,  while  from  other  sources 


IIKPOIIT    OF    lUilTLSH    COMMISSIONKKS. 


59 


it  lias  1)0011  ascortaiiiod,  that  in  former  yoars,wlien  tlio  Alaska  ('oiniiior 
<'ial  ('-(Hiipany's  vessel  lollowed  the  soul  iicrn  route  in  her  spring  vovaj;o 
IVoni  San  i-'raiuMsco  to  l'etroi»aulouski,  luraeals  \v<'re  often  seen  at  sea 
in  the  month  of  May  in  about  the  same  latitude. 

UOl.  VViien  the  seals  first  eomo  south  in  tlie  autumn,  the  fj^roy  jtups 
are  oftt'ii  abundant  not  far  from  the  shoresof  Ve/o  and  about  Nambu,* 
and  from  L',(»(l()  to  .'},()()(»  are  annually  taken  there  by  the  inhabitants,  in 
boats.  In  tln^  iMemorandum  just  refericd  to,  it  is  stated  that,  "Ijarfjo 
luunbers  of  seals  from  tin';  IJussian  rookeries  are  scattered  every  winter 
over  tli(!  oc(nui  lyin;;' off  the  <'ast  coast  of  .Ja|)an,  luit  they  are  unmo- 
lested by  foreign  or  native  soaliiiR  vessels,  and  only  tin'  frinj^e  of  tlu>m 
is  tou(^hed  by  native  flsliermen  in  their  oi>en  boats  alonjf  the  isambu 
and  V'ezo  coast." 

L'OL'.  When  these  seals  move  to  the  northward,  in  thesprinpfor  early 
summer,  they  doul)th'ss  follow  a  route  i)arallel  to  tlu^  line  of  the 
33  Kurile  Islands,  though  there  is  nothing  known  to  show  whether 
they  pass  near  to  these  islands,  or  at  some  considerable  distance 
to  the  eastward  of  them.  According  to  Mr.  Cirel)nitsky,  !Su|)erintend- 
ent  <tf  the  Comnnindcr  Islands,  tiie  seals  travel  with  the  northward 
bran(!h  of  the  flapan  current,  and  are  first  seen  on  the  south-western 
shore  of  (!oi)per  Island,  where  some  of  them  land,  whileothers  continue 
their  Journey  to  the  north  westward,  between  (!opper  and  Jiehring 
Islands;  and  those  whi(;h  land  on  the  nortlH;rn  rook«u'y  of  Hehring 
Island  come  to  it  eventually  from  a  noi'th-eastern  direction.  The  same 
gentleman  further  states,  as  the  result  of  his  observations,  that  these 
luiturally  ])elagic  animals  land  thus  on  the  Cominan<ler  Islands  oidy 
because  it  is  necessary  for  the  females  to  do  so  in  order  to  give  birth  to 
their  young;  while  he  believes  the  main  I'cason  of  the  landing,  at  later 
dates,  of  the  seals  not  atttnally  engaged  in  breeding,  is  that  during  the 
"shedding"  or  "stagey"  season,  tlieir  ])elagebecomes  too  thin  to  afford 
a  suitable  protection  from  the  water.  The  date  of  arrival  of  the  seals 
on  the  Commander  Islands  is  somewhat  Liter  tlian  on  the  I'ribyloff 
Islands,  and  tlie  dates  of  leaving  appear  to  be  also  later  ami  rather 
more  irregular  in  corres])ondence  with  the  longer  summer  season  ajnl 
less  ])re('isely  marked  beginning  of  cold  weather.  In  fact,  in  unusually 
mild  years,  a  few  fui-seals  nniy  generally  be  found  about  the  Com- 
mander Islands  all  the  winter. 

203.  According  to  Cai)tain  lirandt,  of  the  Ilussiar.  gun-boat  "Aleut," 
who  has  had  long  experiences  of  these  waters,  the  i'ur-seals  fro(iuenting 
Ikobben  Island,  on  the  east  coast  of  Saghalien  in  Okotsk  Sea,  pass 
through  the  Kurile  Archipelago  into  the  Pacific  in  autumn  and  do  not 
go  directly  south  into  tin;  dapan  Sea;  though  he  has  seen  a  few  fur- 
seals  at  sea  not  far  to  tlie  north  of  ^'ladivostok. 

L'Ot.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  migration  range  of  the  fur-seals  fre- 
rpienting  the  (-ommander  Islainls  is  somewhat  less  exteiu^ed  than  that 
of  those  resorting  to  the  Pribyloft' Islands,  its  entire  lengtn  being  little 
nun-e  than  ],0(M»  miles. 

L'O").  It  is  of  interest  licire  to  refer  to  the  account  of  the  migrations  of 
the  fur-seal  or  "sea  cat,"  drawn  uj)  by  the  Hussian  Kraschenimikolf, 
which  is  sui)posed  to  be  based  ])artly  on  his  own  observations  ami 
largely  on  those  of  his  fellow-traveller  Steller,  both  members  of  IJehring 
Exi)edition.t  lie  writes:  "The  sea  cats  are  caught  in  the  spring  and 
in  the  month  )f  Sei)tember,  about  the  Iviver  Slu'epaiiova;  at  which 
time  they  go  from  the  Kurilskoy  (Kurile)  Islands  to  the  American 

*  A  seaport  on  the  east  const  of  Nipon,  near  latitude  40°. 

tQiiotod  by  .1.  A.  Allen  in  "  MonoirrapU  of  Nortii  American  Pinnipeds,"  p.  341; 
from  Grieves'  English  traualution,  17G4. 


I 


GO 


KErORT    or    IMMTISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


coast  (roiul  (^oinmiuidri'  Islands);  but  tluMuost  are  calc-lic.d  about  the 
(Jape  of  Ki'oiiit/koy,  as  between  this  and  the  Cape  Shnpinskoy  (both 
on  the  east  coast  of  Kaintschatka);  tlie  sea  is  {generally  cabn,  and 
alfoids  them  juoper  phices  to  retire  to.  Abnost  all  the  females  that 
areeauj;ht  in  the  sprinj;-  are  pr«^^nant;  and  such  as  are  near  their  tiuje 
of  brinj,'infi'  forth  their  younj;'  are  immediately  opened,  and  the  youny; 
taken  out  and  skinned.  JS'one  of  llu'ni  are  to  be  seen  I'nnn  the  bejiiu- 
ninjj;  of  flunc  to  the  end  of  August,  when  they  rtiturn  from  tlie  south 
(■s/c,  read  cast)  with  their  yonn;;." 

20(1.  The  remarks  on  the  sanu^  subject  made  by  l-'leurien  in  Marcli- 
and's  voyaj;e  are  probably  in  tlu^  main  also  based  on  tiiose  of  Steller. 
He  writes,  referrinj;  to  the  last  decade  of  the  ei};hleenth  century: 

('os  Miiiiiiiiiix  (|iiitt('iit  iiii  iiiois  (lu  Jiiin  Ics  <:6tcH  (I(^  l:i  iircsiiu'ilo  do  Kiiint.scliatikai 
ct  y  rcviciiiiciil.  ('(umiic  il  ;i  *"'{<•  <lit,  i\  la  I'm  d'Aofit  on  un  comiiK^iKJeinoiit  do  Soptcniluc, 
pour  y  ]>a.sscr  I'antdinno  et  I'liiver.  Dans  li'S  tciiiiis  dii  (l('])ai't,  lea  f(;iii«-llt!S  Hoiit 
]>r("'1os  il  luottro  lias,  ct  il  ])ari)it  (pio  I'objct  du  voyai^o  (Id  ces  »iii))liil)i*;8  ot  do 
H't'-loifjiitT  1(1  jilim  (|ii'ilH  ])(Miv(Mit  do  toiito  t(MTO  lialiitt'o,  ])()ur  lairc.  tr:iii(|uil]oiiiciit 
liMir  jM'lits  8111'  dc8  b()rd.s  solitiiires,  ct  ti"y  livrcr  ciisuite  suns  trouble  aux  |)laiHii'B  do 
I'aiDoui';  car  c'cst  un  inois  ai)rcH  ([u'cllcs  out  lui.s  bas  (|Uo  Ich  I'cnicUcs  cutrcnt  on 
citalonr.  Tons  r(^vi(Miucnt  lort  niaif^rcs  a  la  I'm  d'Aoiit;  ct  il  est  a  i)r<!.suiucr  t|uc,, 
]i(;ndant  lour  absence,  ils  no  nu»n};cut  ((ue  pen  on  )i()iut  dn  tout.* 

207.  The  ])articular  interest  attaehinj;'  to  these  (pu)tations  is,  that 
they  appear  to  show  that  at  the  early  dates  to  which  they  refei',  the  liir- 
seal  was  much  better  known  and  more  often  seen  by  the  natives  of  tlu^ 
coast  of  Kamtschatka  than  it  is  at  the  i)r<>sent  day,  from  which  it  is 
reasonable  to  conclude  that  on  tlie  Asiatic  coast  as  well  as  on  that  of 
North  Anun'ica  the  fur-seal  has  considerably  ehauficd  its  liabits,  as  the 
result  of  ])ersistent  hunting,  and  has  become  more  pelayic  than  it 
oiiginally  was. 

Particulars  of  the  same  kiiul  referring  to  the  North  American  coast 
are  elsewhere  referred  to  in  detail  (§  3!>(>  vf  acq.). 

208.  The  mode  of  (uiginiition  of  the  regular  migratory  habit,  which 
has  beconu'  hereditary  and  instinctive  in  the  case  at  least  of  by  far  the 

largest  number  of  the  fur-seals  of  tlu;  North  Pacific,  is  an  inter- 
34        estiiig  (juestion  of  a  general  kind.     It  is  evident  that  the  habit 

has  grown  uj)  as  a  necessary  result  of  resorting  to  far  nortliern 
breeding  grounds,  while  at  the  same  time  it  is  not  essentially  a  part  of 
the  life  liistory  of  the  animal,  as  the  breedin.g  stations  formerly  occuiiied 
on  the  Californian  coast  show.  It  is  ftuliier  instructive  to  mention,  that 
as  the  result  of  inquiries  made  on  this  point  from  those  most  familiar  with 
the  subject  in  New  Zealand,  the  Falkland  Islands,  and  Cajie  C'olony,  it 
is  fouiKl  timt  the  closely  related  fur  seal  of  the  Southern  IJemisiiliere 
does  not  regularly  migrate  over  great  tracts  of  the  ocean,  but,  when 
occupying  stations  where  the  (!onditions  are  favourable  for  its  existencse 
throughout  the  year,  it  merely  approaches  the  shores  and  lands  u])on 
them  at  the  breeding  season.  The  continued  presence  of  fur-seals  about 
the  Commander  islands  in  mild  winters,  likewise  shows  that  even  in 
the  case  of  the  fur  seal  of  the  North  racitic,  it  requires  the  ])romi)ting 
aiforded  by  decided  changes  in  the  seasons  to  keep  up  the  regularity 
of  its  migratory  habits.  It  has  indeed  been  suggested,  and  with  some 
lirobability,  tliat  the  seasonal  clianges  in  the  temperature  of  the  sea 
itself  may  have  much  to  do  with  impressing  regularity  on  the  annual 
movement  of  migration,  or,  in  other  words,  that  when  this  temperature 
falls  below  or  rises  above  certain  limits,  the  seals  begin  to  move  south- 
ward or  northward  in  search  of  less  frigid  or  less  heated  waters.  The 
data  at  lia'ul  are,  however,  insutlicient  for  a  detailed  study  of  this  iwint. 

•  "  Voyage  amour  du  Moudo,  17U0-92,"  toiue  V,  p.  65. 


REFOIIT   OV    HRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


61 


(iii.) — DhtrihiiHon  at  Sea. 

201).  Tlio  (lislributioii  iiiid  ifkhIc  of  (Mtcniiciicc  of  tlio  fursoiils  at  soa 
when  (toiif>r('j;at(Ml  in  tlieir  winter  Iiiihitiit.s  on  tiu^  two  .sides  of  tlio 
North  I'iiciJic,  and  whih'  niij;riihn,u',  liave  already  lieeii  noticed.  Wliilo 
tlie  information  on  these  i»oints  is  not  as  eoniph'te  as  eonhl  bo  wished, 
it  is  sullieient  to  siiow  in  a  jjenc^ral  way  liow  tiie  fnrseal  is  affected  in 
its  movements  by  enirents,  drift,  and  winds.  In  speakinfjj  of  its  food 
and  fecMling  habits  on  a  snbseqnent  pa^e,  it  further  becomes  apparent 
in  wlnit  manner  the  seals  eon^rcjuate  and  travel  in  following  certain 
food  fishes.  It  a])i)ears  to  bo  ratlier  in  conseijiienco  of  sm-h  (;ireuni- 
staiiees,  opcratiiif;-  conjointly  npon  these  pelaj^ic;  animals,  than  to  any 
rulinj^  greji'arious  tenclencies  while  at  sea,  that  they  become  colkM^ted 
into  "schools"  or  gronps  of  {greater  or  less  dimensions.  This  at  least 
is  the  residt  of  the  exan»inatioiis  ma«l(^  <lnrinfi'  tiie  summer  of  IS'.ll  in 
I>ehrin<?  Hea,  when',  though  two  or  three  seals  were  often  seen  actually 
in  company,  and  occasionally  as  many  as  six  or  eight,  the  general  rule 
Si'emed  to  be  liiat  each  seal  was  pursuing  its  own  (Mturse,  travelling, 
sleeping,  ieeiling,  or  sporting  in  the  water,  without  leference  to  others 
in  the  vicinity.  This  is  clearly  shown  by  the  observation  that  even 
when  passing  through  an  area  at  sea  in  whi(!h  the  seals  wouhl  b«5  noted 
as  abundant,  tiiey  areasa  matter  of  fac't  usually  separated  by  distances 
jnuch  too  great  to  enable  any  single  animal,  or  any  group  of  two  or 
three  individuals,  to  be  in  any  way  cognizant  of  the  presence  of  the 
next  adjacent  individual  or  similar  grouj).  Ai)art  from  seals  met  with 
near  tlie  shores  of  the  breeding  islands,  the  densest  "  school  "  found  by 
us  was  on  one  occasion  about  five  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  land  of 
!St.  Paul  Island,  where  about  forty  seals  were  counted  in  a  distance  run 
of  two  miles,  iw  all  other  cases,  it  was  exceptional  to  meet  with  seals 
to  the  numlx'r  of  four  to  a  mile  run,  while  two  to  a  mile  run  was  nuich 
above  the  average  even  when  passing  through  areas  of  abundance.  It 
is  thus  evident  that  the  seals  had  been  brought  together  in  such  areas 
of  abundance  by  reason  of  common  conditions  rather  than  by  tlieir 
own  volition. 

210.  In  order  to  arrive  at  as  complete  a  knowledge  as  possible  of  tho 
actual  distribution  of  the  fui-seal  in  IJehring  Sea,  a  circular  was  pre- 
l)arod,  in  which  it  was  requested  that  regular  seal  logs  slnudd  bo  kept 
on  the  British  cruizers,  and,  through  the  kin<lness  of  the  ('ommander- 
in  chief  on  the  Pacific  Station,  communicated  to  their  Oommanders. 
The  work  was  taken  up  with  enthusiasm  by  the  various  otlicers,  and 
maintained  throughout  the  season.  Careful  observations  of  the  same 
kind  were  also  made  on  our  own  steamer,  the  "Danube,"  and  subse- 
(luently,  through  tho  courtesy  of  the  United  States'  Commissioners, 
copies  of  the  track-charts,  and  observations  made  of  seals  by  the  vari- 
ous United  States' cruizers,  were  supplied.  Information  on  tlie  same 
subject  was  also  sought  in  various  other  ways,  such  as  by  inciuiry  from 
the  captains  and  hands  of  sealing-vessels  met  in  Victoria  and  Van- 
couver, and  from  the  inhabitants  of  various  places  touched  at  during 
the  summer. 

211.  Little  or  nothing  has  provicnisly  been  put  on  iccord  with  regard 
to  tho  distribution  of  the  fur-seal  in  Behring  Sea  during  the  montlis  of 
their  stay  there,  for  though  the  pelagic  sealers  had  formed  their  own 
opinion  as  to  the  best  regions  for  carrying  on  their  avocation,  they  mitu- 
rally  did  not  nmke  these  public,  and  it  is  believed  that,  in  some  cases  at 

least,  they  were  rather  inclined  to  keep  such  knowledge  as  they 
35        had  gained  by  experience  entirely  private.     What  has  been  actu- 
ally published  on  this  subject  dei)ends  principally  upon  meagro 


? 


62 


RFIPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSION KKS. 


observations  or  ill-founded  conjectures  sueli  as  the  lesident  agents  ou 
the  breedinj;  islands  have  been  abii*,  to  niakt;  witii  tlicir  limited  oppor- 
tunities. The  circiunistances  in  liSUl  were,  however,  exceptionally 
favourable  for  acciuiring  information  of  a  comparable  kind  on  the  ques- 
tion of  (listribution. 

212.  The  observations  at  command  for  I8!)l  practically  (lover  pretty 
thoroufi'lily  the  period  of  about  two  months  durinj;'  wliicth  seals  are  ordi- 
narily taken  by  pela<?ie  hunters  in  llehriuj;'  Sea,  cxtendinji'  from  the 
middle  of  July  to  the  middle  of  Sei»tend)er,  and  tiiey  are  nuuiii  more 
complete  lor  the  eastern  than  for  the  western  part  of  the  lU'iiring  Sea. 

21.'i.  On  consideration  of  the  material  to  be  dealt  with,  it  was  dettided 
that  it  iniy;ht  be  most  advantageously  divided  into  two  jjcriods  of  about 
a  month  each,  the  lirst  including  all  dates  from  the  ir)tli  .Inly  to  the  ir)tli 
August,  and  the  second  those  between  the  I.lth  August  and  the  loth 
Septenil)er.  All  the  lines  cruized  over  in  tiie  lirst  of  tliese  periods  were 
plotted  on  one  set  of  nnips,  and  those  in  the  second  period  ou  another. 
The  parts  of  these  tracks  run  over  during  the  night,  and  in  which  seals 
therefore  could  not  well  be  observed,  were  indicated  on  the  nuips  in  a 
different  manner  from  tlie  day  tracks,  as  far  as  possible;  and  with  the 
assistance  of  the  logs,  the  numbers  of  seals  seen  in  certain  intervals 
were  then  entered  along  the  various  routes  in  a  graphic  manner.  The 
places  in  whicth  pelagic  sealers  had  reported  seals  to  be  abundant  or 
otherwise,  as  well  as  those  in  which  sealing  vessels  were  found  at  work 
by  the  cruizers,  and  other  facts  obtained  from  various  sources,  were  also 
indicated  on  the  maps. 

2\A.  Without  attempting  to  enter  into  further  details  here  as  to  the 
methods  employed,  the  general  results  arrived  at  may  now  be  brielly 
described: 

It  is  evident,  in  the  lirst  place,  that  the  seals  are  most  abundant  iu 
the  water  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  shores  of  the  breeding  islands, 
this  abundance  of  seals  extending  often  not  more  than  half  a-mile  from 
the  fronts  of  the  breeding  grounds,  and  seldom  for  3  or  4  miles  in  such 
a  way  as  to  be  at  all  uotabk'.  lu  the  case  of  the  Pribylotf  Islands,  it 
is  also  observed  that  seals  were  numerous  in  both  the  monthly  periods 
in  the  tract  included  in  a  general  way  between  St.  Paul  and  St.  Cleorgo 
Islands,  though  they  differed  much  iu  this  respect  even  at  nearly 
approximate  dates.  It  is  further  clearly  shown  that  the  Pribylotf  and 
Commander  groups  form  the  uniin  centres  of  abundance  of  seals  in 
liehring  Sea  during  the  summer;  but  that  while  this  is  undoubtedly  the 
case,  the  seals  are  not  found  to  decrease  in  numbers  with  any  ai)i)rox- 
imation  to  regularity  in  zones  concentric  with  the  islands, — always 
excluding  the  seals  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  shores. 

215.  It  is  therefore  not  possible  to  outline  a  series  of  zones  in  which 
the  number  of  seals  present  will  bear  an  inverse  ratio  to  the  distance 
from  the  islands.  It  is,  however,  possible  to  draw  an  approximate  limit 
lor  a  region  about  the  Pribylotf  group,  which  will  roughly  detine  the 
area  of  abundant  seals  at  sea  during  each  of  the  two  monthly  periods 
chosen.  In  the  case  of  the  region  about  the  Commander  Islands,  data, 
though  almost  wanting  for  the  tirst  monthly  period,  and  but  scanty  for 
the  second,  are  sutlicient  to  indicate  a  general  mode  of  distribution 
similar  to  that  demonstrable  in  the  first  case.  Within  the  areas  of 
abundant  seals,  these  animals  are,  however,  by  no  means  regularly 
distributed,  even  at  any  particular  fixed  date,  but  are  scattered  iu 
irregular  patches  in  the  ditiuse  character  already  described,  and  are 
very  often  thickest  locally  towards  the  outer  limits  of  the  area, 

21(!.  Jieyond  these  areas,  seals  are  found  more  or  less  sparsely  scat- 
tered over  a  great  part  of  Behring  Sea,  which  iu  the  first  p&riod  extends, 


KEI'OHT    OF    DI?ITI.*SII    ('OMMlSSlONKIiS. 


G3 


It- 


ill  tliel«ii^'itr.(liM)t'  tlio  Piibyloft"  Islnnds,  I'rointlu'  Aleutian  cliaiii  iiortli- 
Nvard  to  about  the  "(Uth  de^irce  of  latitude,  itu-ludes  tlu^  wliolc  vi«'iuity 
of  the  westcni  Aleutian  Islands,  and  spreads  ayain  t(»  a  j,'reatcr  width 
with  the  ("oniniander  Islands  as  a  centre. 

U17.  In  18!H  tiu'  area  of  ahundant  seals  about  tlii^  I'ribylolf  Islands 
ai>i)eaie(l  to  be  not  only  (•hanj;('d  in  form,  but  eonsideiably  redu<;ed  in 
siz(^  ill  the  siH'oud  inontidy  period;  while  that  of  scattered  seals  was 
not  only  ehan;;ed  in  Ibrni,  i)nt  niucii  enhu;;e(l  in  area.  It  appears,  that 
in  most  years,  in  the  later  summer  this  area  of  scatteied  seals  extends 
to  the  north  east  of  the  (Jomniander  Islaiuls,  (piite  to,  or  even  beyond, 
tiie  <i()th  parallel  of  north  latitude.  This  jiarticular  extension  is  prob- 
ably to  be  explained  by  the  drift  of  that  branch  of  the  -lapan  current 
which  Hows  throu,uh  tlu!  weslian  part  of  IWdiriii;;-  Sea,  assisted  by  the 
jnevailiiif;'  southerly  winds  in  the  same  pait  of  the  sea  in  June  and 
.Inly;*  while  tUv,  coinjiaratively  restrictcil  spread  in  a  northward  direc- 
tion in  the  eastern  part  of  the  sea  may  be  similarly  connected  with  the 
general  movement  of  tin;  water  from  north  to  south  in  that  region. 
30  21.S.  The  noithern  (uitline  of  this  wider  region  of  scattered 

seals  in  the  second  monthly  period,  nniy  be  praetically  assumed 
as  that  of  the  normal  range  of  the  fur-seal  to  the  north,  and  is  adopted 
as  such  on  one  of  the  accompanying  maps.  On  (ttlier  maps  the  outlines 
of  the  areas  of  abundant  and  scattered  seals  in  each  monthly  period  are 
.shown.  The  extreme  northern  range  of  the  fur-seal,  however,  extends 
far  beyond  the  liiu;  Just  referred  to,  for  Captain  Ih'aley  and  Lieutenant 
Jarvis,  of  the  United  States  Kevenue  (Jruizer  '*i>ear,"  state  that  fur- 
seals  are  occasionally  seen  by  whalers  as  far  as  St.  Lawrence  Island,  and 
even  on  the  nortiiern  shores  of  that  island.  They  also  found  in  l.SDl,at 
Cape  Tehaplin  or  Indian  Toint  on  the  Siberian  coast,  the  natives  in 
possession  of  a  few  skins  of  old  bull  seals,  which  they  stated  had  been 
taken  near  St.  Lawren(;e  Island.  Our  own  iiKpiiries  on  that  island  and 
at  riover  Bay  on  the  Siberian  coast  were  purely  negative  as  regards 
fur-seals,  though  hair  seals,  including  the  rare  banded  or  ribbon  seal 
{Uisfriophoca  /((nciata),  warn  being  taken  by  the  Tuskis  in  nets.  It 
was,  however,  further  ascertained  that  one  or  two  instances  had  occurred 
of  old  male  seals  being  taken  near  St.  Michael,  not  far  from  the  Yukon 
mouth,  and  it  is  therefore  probable  that  a  line  drawn  from  Capo  Tehap- 
lin to  this  place  may  be  considered  as  defining  the  extreme  maximum 
northern  range  of  the  fur-seal  of  the  North  I'acitie.  This  limit,  how- 
ever, appears  to  be  but  rarely  attained,  and  then  only  by  mature  and  old 
males,  which  have  jirobably  become  useless  on  the  breeding  rookeries, 
and  have  been  driven  or  have  wandered  away  alone  far  from  their  kind. 

219.  With  the  idea  that  the  general  distribution  of  the  fur  seals  in 
Behring  Sea,  from  the  breeding  islands  as  centres,  might  show  some 
direct  relation  to  the  i»revailing  wimls,  meteorological  observations 
made  during  the  summer  by  ourselves  and  on  several  of  the  cruizers 
were  sent  to  the  Meteorological  Department  of  Canada,  and  were  there, 
under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Carpmael,  analyzed  by  Mr.  Stupart,  who 
inepared  wind-roses  for  each  of  the  nu)nthly  periods  for  the  vicinity  of 
the  rribyloff  Islands.  The  observations  taken  near  the  Commander 
Islands  were,  however,  insullicient  for  such  treatment.  The  wind-roses 
thus  obtained  for  the  vicinity  of  the  Pribyloff  Islands  were  then  com- 
l)ared,both  in  a  direct  and  in  an  inverse  sense,  with  the  outlines  of  the 
area  of  abundant  seals,  but  without  bringing  to  light  any  manifest  con- 
nection of  the  kind  conjectured,  though  there  appeared  to  be  a  slight 
balance  of  evidence  in  favour  of  the  belief  that  the  seals  tended  rather  to 


'  See  Maps  37  aud  .39,  "  Clialleuyor  Expeditiou  Rcjjort,"  ThyHics  aud  Cliemisty,  vol.  ii. 


64 


RKPOllT    OF    ISRITISII    COMMISSIONERS, 


travel  against  the  wind  tluin  with  it.  So  far,  therefore,  as  this  evidence 
goes,  it  ^eeius  to  show  tliat  the  seals  found  at  sea,  even  in  tlie  regions 
in  which  they  are  not  very  far  from  tlie  breeding  islands,  are  not  ani- 
mals which  have  only  teiiiporarily  Icl't  the  islands,  for  in  this  case  their 
niovenients  would  almost  certainly  show  some  obvious  relation  to  the 
prevailing  wind  and  weather.  The  fact  that  they  do  not  do  so,  in  itself 
suggests  that  the  seals  met  with  at  sea  real'y  lorin  practically  inde- 
l)endent  pelagic  schools  of  a  dilfuse  kind. 

220.  Am  examination  of  the  area  sur';,unding  the  Pribylott"  Islands  in 
which  seals  were  abnndant  in  l.S!»l,  together  with  such  other  facts  bear- 
ing on  former  yeai's  as  could  bcoblained  from  pelagic  sealers,  indicates 
that  the  maxinnim  limit  to  which  this  area  Jr.ay  reach  from  the  islands 
in  the  summer  months  in  any  direction  io  not  morethanabout  ISO  miles, 
and  it  is  probable  that  similar  conditions  obtain  with  regard  to  the 
Commander  Islands. 

221.  Kespecting  the  number  of  fur-seals  to  be  found  at  sea  within  the 
areas  of  abundance  above  referred  to,  and  exclusive  of  those  frequent- 
ing the  islamls  and  their  innnediate  shores,  it  is  diflicult  to  attain  to 
anything  like  certain  results.  The  endeavour  has  been  made,  how- 
ever, in  a  tentative  way  to  reach  some  roughly  a[>i)roxinKite  estimates, 
by  iinding  the  nund)er  of  seals  actually  seen  in  measured  lengths  of 
runs  in  or  across  such  areas,  chosen  as  typical,  and  made  at  ditferent 
times  in  both  monthly  periods.  The  results  obtained  varied  sontewhat 
widely,  as  might  be  expected,  not  alone  in  conse(iuence  of  the  actual 
dilference  in  density  of  the  seals,  but  also  from  circumstances  con- 
nected with  the  weather  and  the  state  of  the  sea  surface.  The  obser- 
vations mad(^  were,  however,  combined  in  a  general  average,  which, 
when  thus  treated,  showed  about  one  seal  noted  to  each  mile  run.  On 
the  assumption  (which  cannot  be  very  far  from  the  iiict)  that  on  the 
average  a  width  of  hali-a-mile  was  efil(;iently  scanned  from  the  deck, 
this  would  give  a  mean  nund)er  of  two  fur  seals  to  each  scpiare  mile  of 
sea  suil'ace  within  the  area  referred  to. 

222.  As  to  the  much  larger  area  of  scattered  seals,  it  is  still  more 
dillicult  in  this  case  to  arrive  at  any  even  approximately  accurate 
results,  for  though  long  runs  were  often  made  without  ujceting  any 
seals,  limited  patches  of  relatively  abundant  seals  were  sometimes  met 
with,  and  these  seemed  to  be  (|uite  irregularly  distributed.  It  appears 
l)robable,  howc^ver,  tha';  the  density  of  seals  within  these  areas  does  not 

exceed,  but  may  reach,  about  one  to  five  s(|uare  miles. 
37  22.'!.  No  connected  body  of  observations  is  in  existen(!e  as  to 

the  a«'tual  abuiubii.,.-  of  seals  at  sea  and  their  distribution  iu 
various  parts  of  their  v;inge  in  dill'ereiit  years,  but  more  attention  has 
naturally  been  paid  to  this  siiuc  the  develoi)nuMit  of  pelagic  sealing. 
Tlu^  following  references  on  this  subject  have  been  ibund  iu  documents 
already  published,  (U'  obtained  in  evidence.  They  are  together  sulli- 
cient  at  least  to  show  that  the  distribution  of  the  seals  at  sea,  i)articu- 
larly  as  between  dilVerent  parts  of  their  winti'r  habitat,  is  subject  to 
considerable  variation. 

l.S()(».  Judge  J.  (i.  Swan  says,  that  between  18.57  and  18(1(1  fur-seals 
were  very  scart^e  about  Cape  I'hittery,  and  that  it  is  only  since  the  last- 
mentioned  year  that  they  have  begun  to  resort  to  the  viciidty  of  Fuca 
ytrait  in  such  great  numbers.* 

This  statement  is  probably  based  on  the  number  of  skins  actually 
ta  cen  by  the  Iiulians,  and  may  iu  ]>iirt,  at  least,  be  exi)lained  by  the 

•"  Fishery  ludustiio.s  of  tbo  United  Stntes,"  vol.  ii,  p.  31)1. 


a 
s 
i- 
ir 
le 

e- 

iu 
i\r- 

tes 
\(ls 
les, 
tlie 

tho 
eut- 
u  to 

lOW- 

,ites, 
lis  of 
iient 
\v\»at 
ctual 
1  cou- 
.)bsor- 
^•liic\», 
.     On 
)u  tlie 
dei'U, 
inilc  of 


move 
iuvato 

i!S  met 

,es  not 


i\a  to 
.on  in 
u  l»ns 

mcnts 
svitVi- 

uticu- 
oct  to 


seals 

m  last- 

b'uca 

•tmvUy 
Iby  tl»o 


REPORT    OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS.  65 

facUhat  for  a  number  of  years  tl.e  Indians  seareoly  hunted  tl.e  fur-seal 

F.^fii.  dliSySr;*'''^'  '''''  '""^  *""  '"^'^  ^'''"  '^'""'^  *'^^'*"^  ^'"'  ^t''^'t  of 
l-SO!*.   Hryaut  speaks  of  the  abundance  of  fur-seals  off  the  coasts  of 

3872    Captain  Lewis,  then  connected  Avith  the  iludson's  ]>>av  Com- 
pany, sta  cd  that  in  1872  '' innnens.  ,H„„b,,,s  of  lur-se  d  p  L  ■ 
3earl.n..s"  were  observod  in  the  ocean  off  Vancouver  Island      d  ile 

fV.vv'^fn;  ^^''i;^^'^'"  ^^^"''«'  previously  cited,  stated  that  in  this  year  very 
te^^   fur-seals  were  seen  off  the  British  Cohnnbian  coast.     Ills  bnires 
i'SvV";lC*"  ?/*'.^'^^  «ki"«;  these  Mere  all  older  ones."5  '^ 

l.SM.  tol880.  \\ntin-in  1880,  Judge  J.  G.  Swan  says:  "Thisunnrec- 
edent.d  number  of  seals  whi<-h  nuule  their  a],p,.arance,  a  nun    e  r  w  del 
seems  to  haye  uicreased  eyery  s.M,«<,n  since  lioii,  will  giv  e  en  pi oymei^^^ 
to  a  larger  fleet  of  vessels  another  year.  |i  ^     ^ 

nCF^T^*  i^"r-'^^'»l«  )v^'i'e  n'P<*''^^'«l  i"  MTeat  abunoance  100  to  300  miles 
oft  shore,  by  vessels  making  for  the  Htrait  id'  Fuca 

According-  to  Judge  J.  G.  Swan,^!  the  canoe  catch  of  JS^cah  ]}ay 

(Makah)  Indiai  s  m  this  year  was  l,r)r)S.  ^ 

iJIfw  ^y'- J';'>''^''ji<>f,  ■^^'<'omi  engineer  of  United  States  IJeyenue  Cut- 
ter -mi,.ott,''  sti.tes  that  in  this  year  fur-seals  were  Nery  abu  Ian  in 
Puget  bound,  and  were  taken  as  far  in  as  Hoods  (]aiial  **  "'"''""^^ '" 
INSs.  Judge  J,  G  Swan,  in  a  letter  to  Senatoi  ]),dph,  says:  ''Seals 
yri-uJs  C  .lir  ^'""^  "'"•«"='">'  numerous  this  sealon,  and  a^  u 
monads     talitornia  steamers  report  running  through  onL  herd  which 

sW»tt         "      ''  '"^  ''"  ''"^'  ''''^'''''''^  '"^  ^'  '-''  ^"*^''^ ''« they  cmdd 

1889.  Captain  J.  D.  Warren,  who  has  been  actively  engaged  in  s<>al- 

inglor  twenty  years,  states  that  during  that  time  he  has  n,  teed  uo 

<l...Hnut,^^^^^  in  the  munber  of  seals  at  sea,  but,  if  any  change  at  all,  an 

■w.I'Hih.f^'T'"""^^-  ^'•'••"■•V'  ^^'itl'  fi'ur  years' exjierience,  says:  "I  do 
not  th  nl  there  is  any  dec  ease  in  the  nund.er  of  seals  ent.'ring  iJehrin-^ 
Sea.  1  neyersaw  so  many  s.-als  ah.ng  the  coast  as  there  we.e  this 
bSJ!'§§"'  '"^  «^^^  they  were  more  numcrons  than  J  ever  i.;;: 

ISW.  Mr.  A  R.]\IiIne,Colle..tor  of  Customs  at    Vh-t,nia,  summari/- 
n.g  he. ..formation  obtained  by  him  In.m  sealers  respecting   ha    se  s  n 
N.Ns:  -lean  now  safely  repeat  what  I   haye  airea.y  said  ami  wri  te   ' 
that  owners  and  masters  .lo  not  entertain   the  sligh'iest  idea  fl  at     1  o 
seals  a.;e  at  all  scai^er,^    He  adds^thaUtatxMueni:;  made  toacoilt.al'y 

*I)all.  "Alimkn  and  its  Resources  "  n    I'l'i 
t"Mon.)Kr,.|.lior  Noril,  Aineii..;,,.  I'innini.ls,"  ,,.  3;t2 

Jnote.l  by  MlM.it,  lUnU-d  States  Cen.sMs  l.',.|,„rt,  ...  106. 
S^  I  lilted  States  CeiKsiis  Report,  p.  lOH  '  ' 

11  I'll'id  "' p'.yil.''''''''''''  '"'  *''"  ^^"'^"'^  ^^"•^"'^•"  ^■"'-  "•  I'-  :^"7. 


HI,  p 


<  Quoted  by  .)„d„o  J.  (i.  Swa„  in  IJall.  "  imited  States  Fislicry  Commission,"  vol. 


^  Ibid.,  i»,  ;i57. 

h  s,  VT  vi- 5 


^ 


(i6 


REPORT    OF    15UITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


oflccf  in  the  press  are  believed  to  liave  been  inspired  by  interested 
motives. • 

1S!K>  and  1891.  Mr.  II.  71.  Pidcoek.  Indian,  reports  tliat  the  Indians 
(»f  northern  port  of  Nanconver  Island  say  tlic.  liir  seals  have  been  less 
l)lentirnl  than  before  duiint''  these  two  years. 

Mr.  Harry  (inillod,  Indian  Aycnt  lor  the  west  coast  of  Van- 
38        conver  Island,  says  that  the  Indians  report  an  nnnsnal  abnndaneo 
of  seals  in  these  two  years,  while  they  wei  e  searce  for  tiiree  years 
IH'eviously. 

1S!»1.  i\Ir.  C.  Todd,  Indian  aj^ent  at  Metla-Katla,  on  the  northern  ])art 
of  the  coast  of  Uritish  (lohuubia,  states  that  the  Indians  believe  tlie 
number  of  fu;  seals  to  have  been  about  the  same  for  the  past  twcMity 
years. 

!Jespectin}>-  the  nnnd)er  of  seals  met  with  at  sea  in  this  year,  the 
followinji  statements  occur  in  tiie  sworn  evidence  of  sealers: 

('..I,  Kelly:  Seals  are  as  plentiful  tliisyear  from  the  coast  (of  JJritish 
Columbia)  to  the  Simmaf'in  Ishinds  as  last  year. 

Captain  W.  Petit:  From  Cape  Flattery  noitli,  seals  were  mon;  i)lenti- 
ful  than  any  year  since  188(1;  in  I>ehrii:ji'  Sea,  as  plentiful  as  in  former 
years. 

<'a])tain  \V.  K.  Baker:  Alonjj  the  coast  to  the  Shumaj;in  Islands  seals 
were  as  plentiful  in  some  p'  ices  as  the  year  hetbre;  in  others,  more 
plentiful,  I»fo  material  dilic  i"M(re  in  my  average  catch  tor  last  four 
years.     Xo  decrease  in  numb;  r  of  seals  in  late  years. 

Captain  A.  IJisset :  Seals  v  ere  as  plentiful  last  year  as  in  ]>revious 
years  alonjj'  the  ctast. 

Cajitain  T.  M.  Maj-nesei; :  Seals  were  more  identiful  last  year  tliau  I 
luul  ever  seen  them,  botli  in  I»ehring  Sea  and  alonj;-  the  <;oast. 

Hichard  Thompson:  Seals  were  as  plentiful  last  year  as  the  year 
before. 

Andrew  I.ainjj:  No  decrease  in  seals  last  year. 

Cai)tain  \V.  Cox:  Seals  were  as  i)lentiful  last  year  as  ever  before. 

Cai)tain  C.  Ilackett:  Found  the  seals  as  ])lentiful  on  the  coast  last 
year  as  in  former  years.  Seals  were  more  numeious  in  Pehring  Sea 
than  I  ever  saw  them  before. 

Cai)tain  C.  McI)ouj>al:  Found  the  seals  thicker  in  Hehring  Sea  than 
ever  before. 

A.I>ou}ilas:  Had  sealed  seven  years.  Noticed  no  decrease  in  number 
of  seals  last  year.  Thou.t^ht  they  api)eared  a  little  shyer.  Saw  more 
seals  and  larjier  bodies  of  seals  in  Pehrinji'  Sea  than  ever  before. 

L.  \j,  McLean:  Seals  were  more  i)leMtiful  last  year.  Never  saw  seals 
so  ])lentilul  in  J'.ehrin-i-  Sea  befoic  (in  seven  years'  experience). 

1S!>2  (.lannary).  .Indjie  J.  (i.  Swan,  in  a  letter,  states  that  Indians 
rei>ort  seals  unusually  abundant  otf  Cape  I'Mattery  and  about  Barclay 
Sound. 

{B.)—Food  of  the  Fur  seal. 

L'L'I.  Thebi'oad  and  general  facts  of  the  annual  mifjration  habits  of 
the  fur  seal  do  not  ai)])ear  to  depend  i)rimarily  upon  the  pursuit  of 
food,  but  rather  seem  to  be  iioveriu'd  by  the  instiiuitive  resort  to  the 
breeding  islands  in  tlie  sinin;;',  followed  by  the  ecpmlly  instinctive 
departure  for  more  southeni  latitudes  on  the  approach  of  the  cold  and 
sn(»wsof  winter.  The  distribution  and  mifirations  of  the  animals  upon 
Avludi  I  he  seals  depend  for  food  doubtless  have,  however,  a  consider- 

*  I'ailiiuiiL'utary  Paper  IV.  ^Joli],  p.  7». 


f 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


67 


1 1  an 

iber 
lore 


ts  of 
it  of 

the 
'.live 

iiiul 
ipon 
ider- 


ablc  infliionco.  on  tlKMnovomcnts  of  the  soal  in  a  snbordiiinte  dcfjreo, 
niu\  paiticnlarly  npmi  its  iihuiKhmcc  or  oth('i'\vis«i  at  various  tinu..  in 
(liHVrciit  parts  of  its  siiiiimcr  aiid  winter  liahitats.  Some  of  tlic;  last 
observations  (|note(l  iiave  a  direct  ((carin;;"  on  this  point. 

L'2r».  M(»st  of  tlie  inlbrniation  gained  on  tins  snlijcct  is  tlie  result  of 
speeial  in(iuiries  made  amon.n  tiie  natixc  iuinters  of  (iilfer»Mit  parts  of 
the  (U)ast,  and  of  (|UestioMs  addressed  to  the  ptdaj^ie  sealeis.  Tlie 
kno\vh'df>e  procured  by  (liese  peo])Ie  isol»tained  in  various  ways.  Seals 
are  often  seen  at  sea  actually  pursuiiij^  lisli  of  dilferent  kinds,  or  (jom- 
inj;  to  the  surface  with  n  lisli  lield  in  the  Jaws.  The  stcunachs  of  seals 
killed  at  sea  are  fretpiently  well  tilled  with  tish.  and  are,  from  motives 
of  curiosity  sometinu's  examined.  It  is  also  olt(!!t  noticed  tliat  a  seal, 
when  taken  into  a  <'anoe,  vomits  the  entire  t'ontents  of  the  stomach. 
Another,  and,  tliouj;h  less  direct,  scarcely  less  trustworthy  source  of 
information,  is  the  locally  (»i»servt'd  coincidence  in  abundance  of  seals 
vith  that  of  certain  kinds  of  lisli. 

2-(i.  Without  (|Uotin<:f  at  lenjith  the  numerous  statements  obtained 
on  this  point.it  maybe  s;mM  tliat  the  <;eneral  temmr  of  the  evidence 
sliows,  that  wliile  tin-  fur-seal  lias  been  known  to  eat  almost  all  kinds  of 
fisli,  in(dudin,n'  cod  and  even  halibut,  its  favourite  diet  consists  of  small 
flsh,  of  which  the  herrinji,  prol)ably  iiom  its  size  and  from  its  <>rej;arious 
hal)it.  is  alto,!;ether  the  most  important.  Tlie  ai»i)earance  of  seals 
toward  si)iinji'  in  the  inner  waters  alonj;'  the  coast  of  Ib'itish  (.'ohnnbia, 
and  the  iiuml)ers  seen  there  at  any  particular  place  or  tinu',  Ix'ar  a  very 
close  relaiion  to  the  occurrence  of  shoals  of  hcrrinfi:,  while  some  of  the 
most  notable  cases  of  the  penetration  of  seals  into  the  narrow  chaniuds 
about  the  estuary  of  the  Nass,  Skeena.  and  ivnij;ht's  Inlet  have 
39  been  directly  traced  to  their  i)ursnit  of  the  nlachan,  or  candle- 
fish,  then  resort  in <••  to  these  places  to  spawn. 

227.  Another  aninml,  which  may  be  classed  as  a  special  food  <»f  the 
fur-seal,  is  the  sijuid  or  cuttlelish.  I']vi(letic(M)f  this  has  been  obtained 
at  various  jKiints  alonj;'  the  Uritish  ( •ohunbian  coast  and  in  the  Com- 
nuiuder  Islamls,  and  ol  tlu^  seal  stomachs  opened  l»y  us  on  the  Priby- 
lotf  islands,  besides  a  very  i'l'W  lisli  bones  the  beaks  of  squid  were  about 
the  only  traces  of  food  •found.  It  is  perliai»s  further  worth  notin<'"  in 
this  connection,  tliat  Captain  ^^orrell  many  years  aj^o  stated,  with 
special  reference  to  the  fur  seal  of  the  Falkland  Islands,  that  they  are 
said  to  live  on  the  s(piid.* 

228.  It  is  ]tarti(;ularly  alon<i"  the  Ibitish  Columbian  coast,  within  the 
winter  habitat  of  the  fur  seal,  that  the  connection  of  its  movements 
with  those  of  the  hcrriufj  has  been  traced.  Unfortunately,  little  is 
accurately  known  about  the  mi,^ratory  habits  of  the  herriiij;  in  any  part 
of  the  world,  and  the  information  respect  iiij;'  the  mii;rations  of  this  lisli 
on  the  West  Coast  is  exceedin.n'y  imperfect.  It  is  pr()bai)le  that  here, 
as  elsewhere,  the  mij;rations  of  the  herriiifj  are  sonu'what  capricious, 
and  that  this  tish  rej;ulaiiy  appi'Dachcs  tlu^  shores  in  laru'e  schools  only 
about  the  spawiuufj  season,  wiiile  its  movenu'iits  at  other  times  are 
lar<;ely  jioverned  by  the  relative  abundance  on  dilferent  parts  <>f  the 
surlaceof  theo'-eaiiof  the  miiinte  crustaceans  and  other  jielafiic  oi\t;an- 
isms  upon  which  it  li\t's.  This,  af,fain,  depends  on  the  winds  and  cur- 
rents and  temperature,  and  to  the  interaction  of  these  several  factors, 
the  sudden  appearance  or  disapiiearanci^  of  bodies  of  fur  seals,  in 
vai  ions  parts  of  their  winter  habitat  particularly,  nuiy  doubthsss  be 
traced. 


'Dull,  "Aliisliii  and  it^  lit'Hoiirces,"  p.  41*2, 


68 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


229.  In  the  summer  habitat  within  Behrinjj  Sea,  it  has  been  noted  by 
some  of  the  mon;  intelligent  pela{»ic  sealers  that  fiii-seals  are  found  to 
be  T>'imerou8  where  "whale-food"  abounds.  The  "whale-food"  met 
with  Hi  these  seas  consists  of  similar  minute  orfjanisms  to  those  com- 
posing "  herring-food,"  and  the  seals  are  doubtless  in  search  of  the 
smaller  fishes  which  may  be  living  upon  this  food.  A  further  circum- 
stance having  tlie  same  general  bearing  is  the  fre(iuently-observe<l 
association  of  seals  at  sea,  i)articularly  in  IJehring  Sea,  with  abundance 
of  single  fronds  or  tangled  masses  of  drift  kelp.  This  no  doubt  depends 
partly  on  the  fact  that  the  kelp  affords  shelter  and  a  measure  of  pro- 
tection not  oidy  to  the  minute  pelagic  organisms,  but  also  to  the  various 
small  fishes  which  piey  upon  these.  It  is,  however,  to  be  explained  for 
the  most  part  by  the  circumstance,  that  the  drift  kelp  accunnilates  in 
areas  of  eddy  or  slack- water  between  the  various  marine  currents,  into 
which  these  minute  organisms  with  surface-fishes  and  the  fur-seals 
themselves  naturally  drift. 

230.  The  most  important  point  to  be  gathered  from  these  observations 
is,  that  the  fur-seal  is  not  usually  a  bottom  feeder,  and  that  it  is  not 
necessary  that  its  tishing-grouiuls  should  be  found  ui)on  submarine 
banks  situated  at  such  moderate  depths  as  those  to  which  the  seal  may 
attain  by  diving  or"  s(mnding,"a  hypothesis  often  advanced  by  theorists, 
but  which  finds  little  basis  in  the  known  facts. 

231.  That  the  fur-seal  is  essentially  a  pelagic  surface  feeder,  is  further 
shown  by  the  fact  that  it  is  not  ktiown  to  resort  habitually  to  the  best 
fishing  banks  in  Behring  Sea,  such,  for  instance,  as  the  Baird  bank,  and 
that  fish,  such  as  the  cod  and  halibut,  inhabiting  water  of  some  depth 
and  feeding  along  the  bottom,  are  often  found  in  considerable  numbers, 
not  only  near  the  breeding  islands  of  the  seal,  but  even  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  breeding  rookeries  of  these  islands.  Such  fish 
are  actually  caught  at  various  seasons  by  the  natives  of  the  Pribyloff 
Islands  within  1  or  2  miles  of  some  of  the  largest  rookeries  on  the  south 
side  of  St.  Paul  Island,  and  not  more  than2ior3milesott'  the  rookeries 

.  on  the  north  shore  of  St.  George  Island.  On  one  occasion,  while  at 
anchor  for  a  short  time  within  less  than  half-a mile  from  the  largest 
rookery  on  Behring  Island,  at  Cape  Y^ushin,  over  twenty  cod,  with  some 
other  fishes,  were  caught  iVom  our  steamer  witli  two  or  three  hand  lines, 
in  water  not  more  than  0  or  7  fathoms  in  depth. 

232.  Some  i»articulars  are  given  on  a  later  page  respecting  the  absten- 
tion from  food  of  the  I'lir-seals  while  remaining  upon  or  about  the  breed- 
ing islands.  It  appears  to  be  certain  that  the  mature  males  doing  duty 
on  the  breeding  rookeries  do  not  feed  at  all  during  the  breeding  season, 
and  that  for  some  time,  at  least  several  weeks,  after  landing, the  breeding 
fenuiles  do  not  leave  tiie  rookery  grounds  in  search  of  food.  There  is 
no  apparent  reason  why  tlie  "holluschiekie,"  or  youug  males,  should 
not  go  to  sea  in  quest  of  fish.  Singularly  enough,  however,  though 
animals  of  this  class  have  been  killed  by  hundreds  of  thousands  upon 
the  breeding  islands  un<ler  all  conceivable  (!oiiditions  of  weatlier,  and 

often  within  less  tiian  an  hour  of  their  deportation  from  theii 
40        haulinggrounds,  tiie  almost  universal  testimony  is  to  the  effect 
that  their  stomachs  are  invariably  found  to  be  free  from  food. 

233.  With  a  view  to  obtain  such  direct  infornmtion  on  this  subject  as 
might  be  possible,  the  stomachs  of  seais  killed  in  our  presence  were 
examined;  and  though  the  results  of  these  examinations,  noted  below, 
do  not  entirely  confirm  the  statement  Just  referred  to,  they  show  a 
remarkable  absence  of  food.  The,  number  of  seals  which  it  was  thus 
possible  to  examine  was  of  course  small. 


■5 


I 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


69 


le 


steii- 
eed- 
duty 

ISOIl, 

ding 
re  IS 
ould 
till 

UIXMI 

and 
theii 
fleet 
d. 

ct  as 
were 
'low, 

)W   il 

thus 


On  St.  George  Island,  twenty  seals  were  killed  on  the  1st  An«;ust  in 
our  presence.  These  were  selected  from  a  drive  made  from  the  nearest 
part  of  the  Great  Northern  Kookery,  to  the  killing  ground  about  lialf- 
a-mile  distant,  and  had  been  about  three  hours  ott"  the  rookery  before 
they  were  killed.  Of  these  twenty  young  males,  the  stomachs  gave 
the  following  results: 

Seventeen :  no  food  whatever,  in  most  a  little  slimy  matter,  froth  or 
bile,  and  often  a  few  lively  worms. 

One:  a  handful  of  small  pebbles. 

One:  a  ch)t  of  brownish  blood. 

One:  an  isopod  crustacean,  about  an  inch  in  length,  and  a  few  frag- 
ments of  fish  bones. 

234.  On  St.  Paul  Island,  the  3rd  August,  the  stomachs  of  ninety- 
eight  young  males  were  examined.  These  were  selected  fiom  a  drive 
made  from  Zoltoi  sands  to  the  killing  ground,  a  distance  of  about  LJ,()0() 
feet,  from  which  they  had  been  driven  early  in  the  same  morning,  pos- 
sibly two  or  three  hours  before  being  killed.  The  contents  of  these 
stonuichs,  in  addition  to  a  few  worms  present  in  many  cases,  were  as 
follows : 

Sixty-live,  contained  nothing,  or,  in  some  cases,  a  pinch  of  sand,  or 
a  small  quantity  of  slimy  or  frothy  matter. 

Seventeen,  contained  pebbles,  sometimes  several,  in  other  cases  but 
a  single  pebble. 

Six,  showed  a  rather  notable  quantity  of  bright  yellow  bile. 

Fcmr,  contained  some  blood,  generally  somewhat  changed  in  colour 
by  the  action  of  th<'  gastric  juices,  and  in  one  or  two  cases  dotted. 

Three,  contained  the  horny  armatures  or  beaks  of  squids  only;  one 
of  these  a  single  beak,  another  two  beaks,  and  the  third  three  l)eaks. 

( )ne,  held  some  i)ebbles,  the  ear-bone  of  a  fish  (cod  ?),  and  a  few 
pieces  of  broken  dead  shell. 

One,  held  some  pebbles  and  broken  pieces  of  dead  shell,  with  a  single 
beak  of  squid. 

One,  showed  a  very  small  piece  of  kelp  only. 

235.  From  the  large  North  Kookery  on  Behriiig  Island,  Hth  Septem- 
ber, an  adult  male  or  "seacatch,"  two  females,  and  an  unweaiu'd  pup, 
were  driven  directly  from  the  rookery  ground,  about  L'OO  yards  distant, 
and  killed,  by  permission  of  tlu^  authorities,  for  picsenlation  by  lis  as 
specimens  to  the  ihitish  jMuseiim.  The  stomachs  of  all  four  weni  com- 
])lete!y  empty,  with  the  excei)tion  of  a  lew  woiiiis  in  those  of  the  three 
adults.  Not  only  the  i)up,  but  the  females,  and  (iveti  the  old  male,  were 
fat  and  in  good  condition. 

230.  l{esi)e('ting  the  pebbles  frequently  found  in  the  stomachs  of  the 
fur-seal,  it  has  been  suggested  by  jNIr.  ioiliott  that  these  may  be  swal- 
lowed for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  worms  ol'ten  observed.  It  has 
further  been  suggested  that  such  stones  have  iiicideiitaly  found  tiieir 
way  into  the  seals'  stomachs  attached  to  sea-weeds,  or  zoophytes  eaten 
by  the  seals;  but  little  can  be  said  in  favour  of  this  theory.  The  habit 
is  one,  however,  not  ])eculiar  to  the  fur-seal,  but  common  to  most  i)in- 
nipeds.*  The  largest  of  those  pebbles  actually  collected  from  the 
stomachs  of  the  seals  above  noted  as  having  been  killed  on  St.  Paul  on 
the  3rd  August,  is  a  flat  stone,  lA  inch  in  length  and  1  inch  in  breadth, 
but  much  larger  ones  have  often  been  found.  1 1  is  probable  thiit  individ- 
ual stones  do  not  as  a  rule  remain  very  long  in  the  stomach;  for  about 
one-half  of  those  collected  on  this  occasion  were  rough  scoriaceous 

•"Morograph  of  North  Amoricau  riuulpeds,"  p.  354. 


>^ 


70 


REPORT   OF    lUJITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


fill {jiiuM its,  sliowiiiy  little  or  no  sijiii  of  attririoii.  The  other  moiety 
was  more  or  less  i)erfeetly  rounded,  and  a,  certain  number  showed  a 
pe<'uliar  line  ])oIish,  jn-obahly  to  be  attributed  to  wear  in  the  stomach 
of  the  aniiiiai.  About  one  seventh  of  the  entire  number  rei)iesent 
rocks  not  found  on  the  Triliyloff  Islands,  or,  if  oeeurriii'jf  at  all,  only 
very  excei)tionally  as  erratics  caiiied  there  atMched  to  the  roots  of 
drift  trees  or  kelp,  or  brou<>ht  upon  floating  iee.  These  liave,  in  all 
probability,  been  borne  by  the  seals  themselves  from  some  distant 
localities.  The  remaining  and  much  the  larger  part  of  the  collection 
consists  of  ordinary  volcanic  i)ebbles,  such  as  might  be  i)icked  up  any- 
where on  the  beaches  of  the  Pribylolf  or  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
41  237.  The  .Vleut  foreman  in  eliarge  of  the  rookeries  on  Behring 

Island  stated  that  the  young  seals  began  to  swallow  peb()les 
wlien  about  four  months  old,  after  which  they  become  tliin.  If  coirect, 
this  statement  would  appear  to  mean  that  it  is  about  the  time  at  which 
the  young  are  weaned  that  this  habit  is  lirst  develo])ed.  lie  also  said 
that,  when  seals  of  matui'e  age  were  observed  to  swallow  stones,  they 
Avere  (or  became)  thin,  and  this  may  jtossibly  be  regarded  rather  as  the 
elfect  of  the  gastric  worms  thaTi  of  the  pebbles.  The  same  man  added, 
and  entirely  as  an  iilea  original  with  himself,  that  when  the  seals  lirst 
arrived  at  the  Commander  Islands  each  year,  they  contained  stones 
unlike  those  to  be  found  upon  the  islands,  and  which  he  conjectured 
had  been  i)icked  up  ui)on  the  Ivamtschatka  coast.  In  the  stomach  of 
the  seal  pup  examined  for  us  by  ])r.  Giinther  at  the  IJritish  ^Museum, 
it  will  be  noted  that  a  stone  was  found,  although  the  i)up  was  supposed 
to  be  about  seventeen  days  old  only.     (Appendix  D.) 

238.  On  several  of  the  rookeiy-  and  hauling-grounds  of  the  Pribylotf 
Islands  there  is  to  be  seen  a  notable  abundance  of  small  rounded  peb- 
bles, just  such  as  tiiose  found  in  the  stomachs  of  the  seals.  As  these 
lie  upon  the  surface,  oil  en  far  above  any  possible  action  of  the  sea,  and 
as  there  is  no  evidence  of  beaches  of  such  rolled  stones  due  to  former 
jieiiods  of  greater  submergence  ui)on  the  I'ribylolf  Islands,  the  con- 
jecture appears  to  be  legitimate  that  these  have,  in  the  course  of  years, 
been  brought  and  accumuhited  by  the  seals  themselves.  Whether 
voided  or  disgorged  from  time  to  time  upon  the  rookery  grounds,  or 
whether  accumulated  by  a  slower  process  conse(jnent  on  the  occasional 
death  of  seals  u\)ou  these  grounds,  cannot  be  decided.  The  suggestion 
hei'c  made,  it  should  be  stated,  is  due  to  IMr.  J.  Stanley-Urown. 

2.'>!>.  The  blood  noticed  in  some  of  the  stomachs  may  probably  bo 
attributed  to  the  laceration  of  the  tongue  by  the  teeth,  or  to  congestion 
and  extravasation  of  the  nasal  membranes  brounht  about  by  the  severe 
ordeal  of  driving.  Its  ju'esence  in  the  alinientarv  tract  is  at  least 
scai'cely  exjilicable  as  the  result  of  internal  lesions. 

210,  In  the  middle  of  September,  Avhen  paying  a  last  visit  to  the 
Pril)ylolf  Islands,  several  of  the  young  seals  of  the  same  year,  then 
well  grown,  were  observed  ui)on  water-washed  mcks,  either  ])laying 
with  or  eating  fronds  of  kelp.  Mv.  .1.  C.  Hedpatii  stated  that  he 
believed  the  seals  actually  ate  the  kelj)  as  a  i)art  of  their  food,  but  from 
])ersonal  observation  no  statenuMit  could  be  made  to  this  elfect,  and  it 
is  considered  very  doubtful. 

241.  Colonel  .1.  Murray  informed  us  that,  in  IS'.M),  the  young  seals  o'* 
l)ui)s  killed  as  food  for  natives  on  the  Tribylolf  Islands  alnuit  the  4th, 
and  .SIh  ]S'ovenibei'.  had  not  e\eu  at  that  tlafe  been  weaned,  but  were 
found  full  of  milk,  lie  ,'uither  stated,  that  such  jiujis  had  been  driven 
in  the  very  early  morning  to  the  killing  grounds,  and  sometimes  not 
killed  till  late  iu  the  evening,  thus  insuring  a  period  of  at  least  lifteeu 


I 


I 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


71 


It    he 

iVom 

tnd  it 

Ills  O" 
|e  4tli 
were 
Irivon 
fs  not 
ilteeu 


lioiirs  from  the  time  at  which  they  had  had  any  iHKSsiblecoiniecttiou  witli 
their  mothers.  Others,  ayaiii,  had  not  been  killed  till  the  following 
morning,  enlarging  the  necessary  time  of  abstinence  from  suckling  to 
twenty-four  hours  from  the  time  of  last  suckling.  These  observations 
appear  to  show  that  the  young  seals  are  capable  of  laying  in  a  very  con- 
siderable reserve  in  the  way  of  mother's  milk,  and  have  important  bear- 
ings on  the  general  question  of  the  timeduring  which  the  mothers  may 
absent  themselves  from  the  breeding  rookeries  at  earlier  dates  in  the 
history  of  the  young. 

242.  Perhaps  the  most  notable  feature  in  regard  to  this  food  question, 
and  one  directly  conseiiuent  on  the  prolonged  abstinence  of  the  seals 
from  food  while  on  and  about  the  islands,  is  the  entire  absence  of  all 
excrement  on  the  rookeries  and  hauling  grounds.  Captain  Bryant 
ai)pears,  however,  to  be  the  only  author  who  has  specially  mentioned 
this  i)articular  and  striking  fact,     lie  writes: 

The  fact  of  their  reiiiaiiiin<;  without  food  seems  so  contrary  to  nature,  that  it  seems 
to  nie  proper  to  statesomeof  the  evidences  of  it.  Having  been  assnreil  bv  tlie  natives 
that  such  was  the  fact,  I  deemt^d  it  of  sutticieut  imiiortanco  to  test  it  by  all  the  means 
available.  Accordingly,  I  took  special  pains  to  exMUiine  daily  a  large  extent  of  tho 
rookery,  and  note  carefully  the  results  of  my  observations.  Tlie  rocks  on  tho  rook- 
ery are  worn  smooth  and  washe<l  clean  by  tho  spring-tides,  aiul  any  discharge  of 
excrement  could  not  fail  to  be  detected.  I  found,  in  a  few  instances  when)  newly- 
arrived  seals  had  made  asingli;  discharge  of  red-coloure<lexcrenn;nt,  but  nothing  was 
seen  afterwarils  to  sli"w  that  such  discharges  were  continued,  or  any  evidence  that 
the  animals  had  p-itaken  of  food.  They  never  left  the  rocks  except  when  comjielled 
by  the  heat  of  the  sun  to  seek  the  water  to  cool  themselves.  They  aro  then  absent 
from  the  land  for  but  a  short  time.  I  also  examined  the  stomachs  of  several  hundred 
young  ones,  killed  by  the  natives  I'or  eating,  and  always  wiiliout  finding  any  trace  of 
food  in  them.  The  same  was  true  of  the  few  nursing  females  killed  for  dissection. 
On  their  arrival  in  the  spring  they  are  very  fat  and  unwieldy,  but  when  they  leave, 
after  their  four  mouths'  fast,  they  are  very  thin,  being  reduced  to  one-half  their 
former  weight. 

42  In  a  note  ai)pended  to  the  above  by  Professor  Allen,  that  gen- 

tleman writes:  "Steller  states  that  in  the  numerous  specimens 
he  dissected  he  always  found  the  stomachs  empty,  and  remarks  that 
they  take  no  food  during  the  several  weeks  thi^y  renniin  on  land;  Mr. 
Dall  conUrms  the  same  statement  in  respect  to  the  present  species,  and 
Captains  Cook,  Weddel,  and  others,  who  have  had  op]>ortiinities  of 
observing  the  dilferent  southern  species,  atlirm  the  same  fact  in  resjK'ct 
to  the  latter.  Lord  Sliuldham  long  since  stated  that  the  walrus  had 
the  sanu'  habit,  though  its  actual  fast  seems  .somewhat  shorter  tliau 
those  of  the  eared  seals.  .  .  .  This  singular  phenomenon  of  a  pro 
tracted  annual  fast  during  the  period  of  i)aiturition  and  the  nursing  of 
the  young — the  season  when  most  mammals  rctiuiie  the  most  ample 
sustt^umce — seems  not  wholly  contincd  to  the  walruses  and  eared  seals. 
8o  far  as  known,  however,  it  is  limited  to  the  |)inniitedes;  and,  except- 
ing in  the  ca.se  of  a  single  niemher,  the  si-a  elei)haiit,  to  the  two  abovt^ 
named  families.  By  some  of  the  old  writers  the  sea-elephant  was  said 
to  feed  sparingly,  at  this  time,  on  the  grasses  and  st^aweeds  that  grew 
in  the  vii'inity  of  its  breeding  places,  but  the  weight  of  the  evidence  in 
respect  to  this  point  seems  to  indicate  that  this  s|)ecies  fasts  similarly 
to  the  eared  .seals  and  walruses  during  the  i)eriod  it  resorts  to  the  land 
to  bring  forth  its  young."* 

24.S.  Tlie  fur-seals  on  Juan  Fernandez  are  likewise  reported,  and 
without  qualification  as  to  sex,  to  abstain  from  nourishment  during  the 
breeding  season:  "Toward  the  end  of  the  month  of  June  the.se  animals 


*0n  the  Eared  Seals.     "  Hull.  Mns.  Comp.  Zool.,"  vol.  ii,  No.  1,  pp.  101,  102. 
also  Senate,  Ex.  Doc.  No.  32,  4l8t  Congress,  2ud  Session,  p.  5. 


See 


NAl 


72 


KKrORT    OF    UIIITISII    COMMISSION KUS. 


c.oine  on  shore  to  briiif;  lortli  their  youiif;,  iunl  nMuaiii  to  tlie  vau\  of 
ScptiMiiljcr  without  stirrinj;  IVoin  the  spot,  and  witlioiit  takinjf  any  kind 
of  nouiishinont."* 

Tlioiijih  not  at  the  time  aware  of  liryant's  statement,  al)(>ve  (juoted, 
the  absence  of  exerementitious  matter  was  oneof  the  first  points  noted 
and  remarked  on  by  us  after  landinj^'  upon  tlie  Pribylolf  rookeries,  aud 
it  is  to  the  absence  of  sucli  matter  alone  tliat  tlie  continuous  herdinj; 
toj^ether  on  one  spot  for  several  months  of  so  many  thousand  animals  is 
on  sanitary  t^rounds  rendered  possible.  It  became  obvious  that  so  soon 
as  the  seals  commence  af^ain  to  feed,  it  must  be  absolutely  neitessary  for 
tluMu  to  abandon  their  crowded  quarters  on  shore.  The  evidence  thus 
afforded,  that  the  females  do  not  feed  to  any  notable  extent  until  the 
younj;  are  practically  weaned,  or,  at  all  events,  until  very  hito  in  the 
suckling  season,  is  perhaps  more  definite  than  that  given  in  any  other 
way. 

(0.) — Physical  Characteristics  of  the  Prihyloff  and  Commander  Islands, 
and  Nature  of  the  lirc(di)uj  Grounds. 

244.  Tlie  principal  breeding  ])laccs  of  the  fur  seal  of  the  North  Pacific 
at  the  present  time,  are  the  I'libylolf  and  ('ommander  Islands,  and, 
onntti.ig  certain  exceptional  i)eriods  dependent  chiefly  on  the  interrup- 
tion of  natural  conditions  brought  about  by  the  slaughter  of  seals,  it 
appears  that  the  Pribylotf  Islands  have,  within  historii;  times,  been  fre- 
quented by  larger  mindiers  of  seals  tlian  the  Commander  Islands. 
Kecent  changes,  depending  chiefly  on  the  circumstances  which  have 
occurred  in  the  first  immed  islands,  have,  however,  at  the  present  time, 
l)roduced  a  nearer  ai)proa('h  to  equality  in  numbers  as  between  the  two 
grou})s  of  islands  than  has  been  normal.  Of  other  breeding  places  in 
the  North  Tacific  still  known  to  be  frequented  by  snniller  numbers  of 
seals,  Kobben  Island  is  the  most  important,  but  of  these  some  notes  .are 
given  later. 

1245.  While  it  has  not  been  disproved  that  the  fur-seal  may  bring  forth 
its  young  upon  detached  floating  masses  of  the  great  kelj)  of  thel'acitic, 
])articularly  in  cases  where  the  gravid  female  has  been  preventetl  from 
reaching  the  breeding  places  on  shore  in  due  time,  such  instances,  if 
they  occur,  must  be  quite  exceptional.  As  to  the  alleged  birth  of  young 
at  sea,  the  result  of  careful  incpiiries  of  vari(ms  kinds  shows  that  if  this 
should  o(!cur  witliout  the  presence  of  any  resting  place,  the  young  prob- 
ably perish,  for,  though  undoubtedly  ea])able  at  birth,  and  even  if  cut 
from  the  mother  before  birth,  of  swimming  for  a  shorter  or  longer  time, 
the  young  is  not  suited  at  once  for  a  pelagic  existence,  and  authentic 
instances  in  which  females  with  recently  born  young  have  been  seen  at 
sea  are  very  rare.  It  may  be  mentioned  here,  however,  that  some  of 
the  Indians  of  the  northern  part  of  the  coast  of  British  Columbia  aver 
that  they  have  seen  the  female  fur-seal  swimming  with  its  young  on  its 
back  in  the  manner  said  to  be  practised  by  the  sea-otter,  and  actually 
observed  in  the  case  of  the  hair-seal,  but  this  statement  has  not  been 
fully  autlientieated. 

L'4(!.  The  normal  habits  of  the  fur-seal  are  such  as  to  require  a 
43  safe  terrestrial  retreat  at  the  season  during  which  the  young  is 
born,  wh(>re  the  young  nuiy  remain  undisturbed  for  a  period  of 
three  or  ])ossib]y  four  nu)nths,  or  till  such  time  as  they  may  be  able  to 
assume  the  pelagic  habits  of  the  adult.  It  is  therefore  primarily  for 
the  purjjose  of  giving  birth  to  their  young  and  suckling  them  that  the 
female  fur-seals  seek  the  breeding  islands.    At  other  seasons  they  do 

'Quoted  in  United  States  Census  Keport,  p.  122. 


REP-^RT   OF    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


73 


|)iing 
this 
fiob- 

cut 
lime, 
siitic 
til  at 
10  of 
iivor 
i»  its 
tally 

leeu 

We  ii 
jigis 
Id  of 
lie  to 

for 
the 

do 


not  irquire  to  liiii  i  any  wIkmc,  and,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  they  very  seldom 
do  so.  It  has  IVeiiuently  hei'u  statcMl  that  the  matinfjf  of  the  mah^  and 
female  must  be  iUM-oniplished  on  shon*,  but  there  is  ami)le  proof  (hat 
this  is  not  true,  and  that  the  male  and  fennileeoine  toj^ether  with  e(pial 
faciility  in  the  water.  It  is  thus  evident  tliat  the  ruliiifj  motive  for  the 
landing  and  sojourti  ashore  of  the  seals,  is  the  birth  of  the  young,  and 
that  tlie  habit  of  the  males  in  fre(pienting  tlie  breeding  rookeries  an<l 
serking  tiio  females  there  after  the  young  iiave  been  born  has  grown  up 
from  tiiis  or  in  connecttion  with  it.  VVitli  many  animals  tlie  male  has  a 
funetion  to  fidlil  on  the  breeding  ]>laceH  in  prote(;ting  the  young,  but  in 
this  instance  the  males  are  neither  called  U])()n,  nor  do  they  show  any 
natural  disposition,  to  exert  themselves  in  tliis  particular  direction. 

247.  The  Commander  and  Pribylolf  Islands  when  originally  discov- 
ered in  1741  and  17S<»  respectively,  were  entirely  uninhabited  by  man; 
nor  has  any  evidence  been  found  since  on  either  group  to  show  that  man 
had  ever  previously  visited  them.  With  the  exception  of  St.  Matthew 
Island,  which,  by  reason  of  the  lat(^  date  to  which  the  ice  often  lingi^rs 
about  its  shor«^s,  is  not  suited  to  become  a  habitual  breeding  resort  of 
the  fur-seal,  these  two  groups  of  islands  are  the  oidy  ones  in  Behring 
Sea,  or,  for  that  matter,  in  the  whole  northern  ])art  of  the  North  I'acific, 
which  were  not  either  ])eopled  by  natives  or  regularly  visited  by  them 
on  their  hunting  and  tishing  exix'ditions.  To  this  cause  rather  than  to 
any  other  is  to  be  attributed  the  fact  that  these  islands  became  the 
jiermanent  breeding  resorts  of  the  fur-seal.  The  coed  and  humid  sum- 
mer climate  may  doubtless  in  itself  have  been  congenial  to  the  seal,  but 
in  this  respect,  and  also  in  the  temp<  ..ture  of  the  sea  surrounding  them, 
well-marked  dilferences  occur  as  between  the  two  groups,  while  almost 
anyof  the  very  numerous  islandsof  the  x\leutian  chain  alford  surround- 
ings so  similar  in  the  matter  of  climate  that  they  would  undoubtedly 
have  atforded  suitable  breediig  places  if  similarly  uninhabited.  The 
islands  of  this  chain  were,  however,  then  thickly  inhabited  by  the  Aleuts, 
and  as  the  fur-seal,  when  resorting  to  and  remaining  upon  the  shores  dur- 
ing the  breeding  season,  is  practically  defen(;eless  and  incapable  alike 
of  resistance  or  elfective  tliglit,  while  its  tlesh  and  fat  are  highly  i)rized 
by  all  native  tribes  as  food,  it  is  ]>robal)le  that  no  breeding  stations  could 
long  be  maintained  there  or  on  any  other  lands  similarly  peopled. 
Cai)tain  Scammou  nevertheless  states  that  fur-seals  formerly  <»<;cupied, 
in  addition  to  the  Tribylolf  ami  (Jommander  Islands,  "several  of  the 
more  isolated  ])oints  in  the  Aleutian  chain."*  He  does  not,  how<'ver, 
jjarticularize  further,  or  say  whether  he  speaks  from  ])ersonal  observa- 
tion, or  from  what  source  his  iiiforinati(»n  was  obtained. 

24(S.  The  fact  that  fur  seals  of  tlu!  same  species  formerly  had  breeding- 
]daces  on  such  islands  as  the  Farallones  of  the  (lalifornian  coast,  under 
climatic  conditions  i)erhaps  as  different  as  it  is  easy  to  imagine,  is  alone 
suflicient  to  show  that  climate  was  not  the  ruling  factor  in  the  choice 
of  the  Tribylotf  and  Commander  Islands  by  the  fur-seals  of  the  North 
racific.  If  further  evidence  be  required  it  is  furnished  by  the  facts 
relating  to  the  s]>ecies  of  fur-seal  inhab.ting  the  southern  hemisphere, 
Avhich,  though  differingfrom  thatof  the  North  Pacificin  structural  points, 
is  ,so  similar  in  habit  as  to  furnish  a  case  in  point.  Here  also  it  is  found 
that  all  the  notable  breeding  places  or  rookeries  were  discovered  upon 
insular  lands  to  which  man  had  never  come,  and  on  which,  during  this 
(iiitical  i)eriod  of  the  annual  cycle  of  its  life,  the  fur-seal  was  also  exempt 
from  the  attacks  of  other  terrestrial  animals  to  whiidi  it  would  have  been 


*"Mui'iue  Mummulia,"  p.  155. 


74 


REPORT   OF    nUITISir    COMMISSIONERS. 


an  oasy  |)rey.  This  beiiij;  giaiitt'd,  it  is,  ])erliiii)s,  a  Icfjitiinate  subject 
ofsiicculation  what  the  (toixlitions  in  tlic,  Moitii  I'acilic  were  before  the 
presiMit  raees  |)e<>ple(l  its  sliores  an<l  nearer  islands,  and  more  ]>artieu- 
larly  before  the  islands  ol"  the  Aleutian  eliain  were  i)eo|)Ied.  Dall  has 
shown  it  to  be  probable  that  even  these  islands  were  inliabit«'d  from  a 
very  remote  period,  that  the  ])opulati()ii  was  thiougliont  of  an  Innuit 
tyi)e,  and  that  the  oecupatioii  of  the  islands  ])roceeded  from  east  to 
west.*  It  can  scarcely  be  doubted  that  in  still  earlier  times  the  fur- 
seals  resorted  to  many  or  to  all  of  these  islands  at  the  breedinj;'  season, 
but  that  as  the  islands  became  occupied  successively  by  the  prede(;e8sors 
of  the  modern  Aleuts,  this  animal,  from  the  nature  of  its  habits,  was 
the  lirst  to  tind  them  n«)  lonjier  safe  or  conjienial.  When  discovered  by 
the  Hnssians  it  was  estimated  that  the  populationof  the  chain  amounted 
to  50,000,  and  in  this  fact  alone  a  sutlicient  reason  for  the  absence  of 

bieedinji"  rookeries  of  the  fur-seal  is  tound. 
44  249.  Tlu^  Tribylolf  Islands  are  alnictst  entirely,  and  the  Com- 

nnunler  Islands  are  chietly,  composed  of  rocks  of  volcanic  origin, 
but  in  this  res])ect  they  are  by  no  means  singular,  and  no  physical 
characteristics  dependent  on  this  circumstance  are  ruling  ones  in  respect 
to  their  titness  as  l)reeding  places. 

250.  The  PribylolV  gronjt  consists  of  two  rather  large  Islands,  St. 
Paul  and  St.  (leorge,  separated  by  a  distance  of  about  .'19  miles,  with 
two  small  islets,  Walrus  Island  and  Otter  Island  adjacent  to  St.  Paul. 
Of  these.  Otter  Island  is  about  a  mile  in  length,  wiiile  Walrus  Island 
is  a  mere  Hat  rock  about  a  (juarter  of  a  mile  in  length.  The  seal  rook- 
eries are  all  situated  either  on  St.  Paul  or  St.  (Jeorge.  and  those  on  St. 
Paul  are  considerably  tlu^  more  impctrtaiit.  St.  Paul  Jslaiul  is  about  13 
miles  in  length  by  (>  in  breadth,  while  St.  (leorge  Island  is  about  14 
miles  in  length,  by  5  miles  in  greatest  breadth,  with  a  somewhat  infe- 
rior area. 

251.  As  already  stated,  both  are  composed  of  volcanic  rocks,  prob- 
ably referable  to  the  latest  stages  of  the  Tertiary  period,  and  consisting 
largely  of  basalts  or  basalt-like  rocks  in  the  form  of  nearly  horizontal 
beds,  often  distinctly  columnar  where  broken  olf  in  clitVs.  There  are, 
however,  certain  beds  of  scoriaceous  nniterial  which  are  included 
between  those  representing  originally  molten  matter.  These  islands 
appear,  in  fact,  to  be  the  result  of  old  submarine  volcanic  erujjtions, 
spreading  their  material  in  ])rctty  regular  layers  on  the  sea  bed,  and 
eventually  rising  above  the  surface  of  the  shallow  eastern  plateau  of 
JJehiing  Sea,  either  because  of  the  nunc  accunuilation  of  material,  or 
l)eriiaps  mcne  probably  with  the  aid  of  a  local  elevatory  movement  of 
somewhat  later  date.  Since  the  original  time  of  their  appearance  above 
the  sea,  their  margins  have  been  worn  into  sea  cliffs,  or  beaten  back  to 
form  stretches  of  sandy  beach,  by  the  action  of  the  waves;  but  in  con- 
sequence of  the  absence  of  older  ro(;''s,  most  of  the  material  f(U'  these 
beaches,  as  well  as  that  of  the  sand  dunes  which  characterize  ])arts  of 
the  coast  (particularly  on  St.  Paul  Island)  is  not  siliceous,  but  is  com- 
posed of  the  conuninuted  material  of  the  local  volcanic  rocks. 

252.  The  surface  of  St.  Paul  may  be  described  as  cctnsisting  of  rounded 
hills,  of  which  the  highest  attains  an  elevation  of  about  GOO  f«>et,  con- 
nected by  flat  land,  ninch  of  which  is  but  little  elevated  above  the  sea. 
Its  shores  are  not  olten  bold  though  forming  cliffs  of  moderate  height 
in  some  i)laces,  ])articularly  about  its  western  end.  St.  CJeorge  is,  on 
the  whole,  considerably  higher,  and  contains  very  little  low  or  flat  land. 

*  "Contribiltious  to  North  Aiueiicuu  Kthuology,"  vol.  i. 


REPORT    OF    HRITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


75 


[)unde(l 
it,  con- 
the  sea. 

height 
|e  is,  on 

it  land. 


Its  surr:i('«'  consists  of  liills  niid  iipliiiid  iikmhs,  iind  its  hi^liost  ]>arts 
exceed  !K)0  fct't,  'I'lie  slioirs  ul'  .St.  ( icuijic  are  .nciuTiiliy  steep  and  bohl, 
and  mncli  of  its  liordei'  is  formed  hyelilfs  of  <rnnsiderai)le  height,  wlueii 
eonstitnte  tlie  l)reedinj4-  phiecs  of  innunieiahle  birds. 

li").'}.  No  tree  or  slinil)  oeiairs  on  either  island,  of  which  the  snrface  is 
eovered,  when  not  too  rocky  to  snpport  any  jiiowtii,  witii  grass  and 
herl>aeeous  veuctatioii,  mingled  wit  li  moss  anil  lichen  on  the  higher  parts. 
Is'eitlier  island  affords  any  hail)(»ur,  and  it  is  necessary  to  anciior  unihT 
a  we.ither  shoi-e  and  to  elfcitt  a  landing  either  with  an  offsiion'  wind  or 
in  calm  weatlier.  Tiie  situation  of  the  village  on  St.  Paul  is,  however, 
such  that  a  landing  can  generally  he  elfeeted  theie  either  on  one  side  or 
other  of  the  long  southwesterly-extending  peninsula  terminating  in 
Keef  Point. 

2r»4.  The  breeding  rookeries  and  hauling  gi<»unds(or  tracts  which  the 
bachelors  and  other  seals  not  actually  «Migaged  in  breeding  frequent) 
are,  of  course,  conllned  to  tlni  innnediate  vicinity  of  the  coast  line  on 
both  islands.  The  sepals  seldom  land  and  never  remain  on  Walrus  Island, 
and  though  in  former  years  many  are  said  to  have  haided  out  on  Otter 
Island,  and  some  still  do  so,  this  is  not  known  to  have  been  occu])ied  as 
a  breeding  station. 

'2r)r>.  All  the  existing  breeding  rookeiies  on  St.  Paul  and  St.  George 
Islands  were  visited  and  examined  by  lis  during  our  first  visit  to  the 
islands  about  the  end  of  .luly,  and  some  of  them  were  subseciuently 
reexannned  on  our  second  and  third  visits  in  the  months  of  August 
and  Se|»teml)er  respectively,  for  the  ]»urpose  of  noting  the  changes  in 
the  distribution  and  habits  of  the  seals  at  various  seasons.  So  nmch 
has,  however,  aheady  been  written  in  desiMiptioii  of  the  topogiaphy  of 
tlu!  various  rookeiy  grounds,  particularly  by  M  .  II.  W.  ICIliott,  that  it 
is  not  here  necessary  t(t  enter  into  any  minute  des(;rii)tion  of  them.  It 
will  serve  all  i)ractical  purposes  and  will  tend  to  leave  the  main  (piestion 
involved  uMobscure<l,  if  the  several  rookeries  are  merely  ch;i  acterized 
in  a  very  general  way,  and  if  their  dilferences  and  comnum  characters 
are  subsequently  treated  of  togetiu'r. 

2i)(>.  There  are  on  St.  Paul  Island  at  the  present  time  seven  recog- 
nized breeding  rookeries,  of  which  tlu^  names  and  general  cliaracters 
are  as  follows: 

(i.)  Zapatlnie  Rookery. — This  consists  of  two  paits,   whic-li  may  be 

called  West  and   ICast  Zajiadnie  respectively,  sei)arated  by  a 

45        small  bay  with  sandy  beacli,  upon  which  the  seals  do  not  remain. 

The  rookery  ground  of  both  ]>arts  faces  to  tiie  southeast,  and 

consists  of  rather  regidar  slopes  rising  from  the  edge  of  tlie  sea,  and 

more  or  less  thickly  strewn  with  angular  or  sub  angular  basaltic  blocks. 

(ii.)  Tolstoi  Ji'ookeri/. — This  rookery  faces  to  the  north-west,  on  the 
other  side  of  iMiglisli  Bay.  The  ground  occupied  by  the  brc^eding 
seals  is,  for  the  most  part,  a  steep  and  rugged  slope,  strewn  with 
angular  blocks,  and  broken  by  jutting  masses  of  solid  rock.  At  its 
northeast  end  the  vslojx's  beconu'  lighter,  and  it  merges  into  the  open 
and  smooth  slopes  of  Middle  Hill,  whicdi  constitute  an  important 
hauling-ground  frequented  by  ba(;he]or  seals  or  holluschickie. 

(iii.)  Lagoon  lioohiri/. — Facing  to  the  south-west,  and  open  to  the 
full  sweep  of  the  sea  only  in  bearings  between  south-west  and  west. 
In  consequence  of  the  i)rotection  atforded  by  the  long  Keef  Point,  this 
rookery  grouiul  is  the  most  sheltered  of  any  on  either  of  the  islamls. 
The  ground  actually  occupied  by  the  breeiling  seals  is  a  narrow  and 
low  reef  of  well  rounded  boulders,  which  separates  the  sea  from  a 
shallow  lagoou. 


76 


REPORT    OF    HRITLSII    COMMISSIONERS. 


(iv.)  licrf  h'ookerics. — Occupy iiiff  both  sides  of  \\w,  outer  part  of  tlio 
Ion;;'  |>roMiontory  known  as  Ikccf  I'oint,  anil  ficin}f  to  tlie  iiortli  \\<'st 
UM(1  southeast.  The  nortli  western  sh»p(^,  olteu  calkMl  (larholeli,  is 
rather  steep,  and  a  part  of  the  rookery  j;rouiid  occupied  on  tliis  side 
consists  of  a  narrow  fiinj-e  of  ro(rky  sliore  overlooked  l»y  h)W  liasaltie 
clirt's.  A  narrow  ridge,  which  is  worn  bare  and  oc-cupied  as  a  hauling 
ground  by  hoUuseliickie  in  the  early  jjart  of  tiie  season,  and  is  fre- 
(piented  by  all  classes  of  seals  at  a  later  |)eriod,  sei)arates  the  north- 
western from  the  south-eastern  side  of  iieef  Point.  On  the  southeast 
side  there  is  a  wide  border  of  Hat  land  hut  little  elevated  above  the 
tide,  ujion  wlii(!h  the  greater  i>art  of  tlie  seals  of  the  rookeries  is  found. 
Almost  the  whole  of  the  rookery  ground  of  the  reef  is  jdentifuliy  strewn 
Avith  angular  masses  of  rock,  tliough  occasional  smooth  si>aees  also 
occur.  The  higher  parts  of  the  Keef  Point  consist  very  largely  of  a 
bed  of  volcanic  scoriae,  lying  compact  and  much  in  its  original  state, 
and  forming  a  fine  hard  surface  considerably  ditlerent  from  that  found 
on  most  of  the  rookeries. 

(v.)  Lnhmnon  and  Ketavie  Rool-crirs  fornj  practically  otie  rookery; 
they  slope  generally  eastward,  and  in  parts  are  much  broken  by  the 
irregular  jutting  out  of  the  solid  rock  and  the  many  angular  masses, 
which  have  detached  themselves  from  it. 

(vi.)  Vohivina  Uoolary. — Thisfaces  totlu^south-eastward and stretidies 
irregularly  along  the  shore  for  nearly  1.^  miles.  The  rocky  shore  is 
here  bounded  on  the  landwai'd  side  by  a  range  of  low  irregular  cliffs, 
perhaps  averaging  40  feet  in  height,  and  tlu'  breeding  seals  for  the  most 
part  o(rcupy  the  upper  i)art  of  tlie  bea(!h  along  the  base  of  the  cliffs, 
together  with  such  breaks  and  hollows  as  exist  in  tiic  clitVs  and  a  wide 
rocky  reef  near  the  sea  level  at  the  soutliern  end  of  the  rookery  ground. 
A  certain  proportion  of  the  breeding  seals,  howi^ver,  take  up  stations 
upon  the  upper  edge  of  the  ditfs,  and  later  in  tiie  season  they  move 
irregularly  back  upon  the  low  plateau  composed  of  bare  volcanic  tufa 
which  rises  very  gradually  toward  the  distant  base  of  Polavina  Hill. 

(vii.)  North  East  Point  Koohcrif. — This  is  the  most  impcn-tant  breeding 
place  upon  either  of  the  islands,  and  might  perhaps  be  more  correctly 
described  as  a  series  of  rookeries  than  as  a  singhioue.  Xorth  East  Point 
is  a  low  peninsula  of  quadrangular  form,  connected  at  one  of  its  angles 
by  a  narrow  neck,  consisting  of  vsandy  flats  and  high  dunes,  with  the 
main  island.  JIutchinson  llill,  probably  about  IT)!)  feet  in  height  and 
near  the  northern  side  of  peninsula,  is  its  highest  point.  Tlu^  rookery 
ground  runs  along  the  eastern,  northern,  and  north-western  shores 
almost  continuously,  tliough  in  some  j)la(U's — and  particularly  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  Il.itchinson  Hill — it  is  much  wider  tlian  in  others. 
Nearly  all  this  length  of  shore  is  strewn  thickly  with  rocky  fragments, 
which  as  far  as  the  higliest  tides  reach  are  usually  well  rounded,  but 
farther  back  are  still  angular  or  sub-angular.  Between  Hutchinson 
Hill  and  the  sea,  there  is  a  considerable  width  of  rock-strewu  flat  land 
resembling  that  of  the  south-east  side  of  Ifeef  Point,  and  coinciding 
with  the  most  important  portion  of  the  rookery. 

257.  On  St.  George's  Island  there  are  now  live  recognized  rookery 
grounds,  four  on  the  northern  coast  and  one  in  Zapadnie  Bay  on  the 
southern  coast: 

(i.)  Zapadnie  Roohery. — This  breeding  ground  is  more  or  less  perfectly 
divided  into  two  parts,  one  lot  of  seals  occupying  a  rougli  bouldery  flat 
immediately  back  of  the  beach,  another  the  sloi)e  of  a  hill  a  little  fur- 
ther to  the  south. 


I 


% 

i 

^i 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


77 


|)okery 
311  the 

rfectly 
Jry  flat 
he  fur- 


(ii.)  Stnrrif  Artec!  Roohrrj/. — Thci  {jroiind  here  oc('U|>ied  by  tlie  brocd- 
iiij;  seals  is  a  partifiilarly  steep  slope,  wliieli  faces  to  tlie  eastward  iuid  is 
broki'ii  olV  at  one  side,  to  tlie,  north,  by  the  shore  <!lill',  which  prevents 
the  seals  when  they  land  from  reacliin<^  the  breedin<;  {irouiHlH  directly. 
(iii.)  North  h'onkcry. — This  is  the  most  inipoitant  breeding 
4«}  {jronnd  on  St.  (leorfjfe  Island,  and  irre^^iilaily  occupies  nearly  a 
mile  of  the  shore.  It  is  sup|)osed  to  contain  about  half  the  entire 
number  of  seals  resorting  to  this  island.  The  shore  is  here  chaiacter- 
ized  by  low  iirej^ular  (tlii'ls,  with  occasional  breaks  which  alVord  access 
to  the  low  plateau  above.  Most  of  the  breedinjjf  seals  are,  however, 
stiunji'  alony  not  far  from  the  sea,  and  gather  into  larger  groups  wher- 
ever tlie  width  of  the  lower  rocky  shore  is  greatest. 

(iv.)  IJftIo  Eastern  h'txibri/ \s  comparatively  small,  and  occupies  a 
piece  of  shore  not  unlike  that  of  many  jiarts  of  North  Rookery. 

(v.)  (Irnif  KdHtvrn  Rookery. — This  rookery  si)reads  at  its  western  end 
l»art  way  \\\^  the  slopes  of  a  steep  and  somewhat  rocky  hill,  while  its 
eastern  end  runs  along  the  base  of  the  rather  high  cliffs,  on  a  very  rough 
and  rocky  beach  forming  there  a  narrow  stri[>Just  above  the  wash  of 
the  sea. 

l-'oS.  An  examination  of  the  various  ntokeries  on  the  Pribylolf  Islands 
alone,  is  sutlicient  to  show  that  the  seals  are  by  no  nu'ans  exacting  in 
regard  to  the  ])recise  character  of  the  ground  occu|»ied.  They  do  not 
iHMiuiie  a  southern  or  a  northern  a^spect,  and  the  statement  tlir.t  they 
land  naturally  upon  the  lirst  i)art  of  the  coast  reached  on  their  course 
from  south  to  north  is  contradicted  by  the  position  of  most  of  the  rook- 
eries of  8t.  (leoige  Island.  Nor  do  theyapjx'ar  to  seek  specially  either 
sheltered  or  exposed  situations,  thougli  most  of  the  rookery  sites  are  of 
the  latter  character.  Their  breeding  ground  may  be  nearly  flat,  or  very 
steeply  inclined,  and  on  it  they  may  be  exposed  to  the  driving  spray 
from  the  waves  or  removed  to  some  distance  from  the  sea  and  at  some 
height  above  it.  The  feature  most  peculiar  to  the  rookery  grounds,  and 
common  to  most  of  them,  is  the  profusion  of  detached  angular  masses 
of  rock,  which  depends  ui)on  the  ease  with  which  the  basaltic  rocks  of 
ihe  Tribyloff  Islands  break  up  into  such  blocks  under  the  local  climatic 
ii.tlueiices.  l>ut  this  cannot  be  assumed  to  be  an  essential  requirement 
of  the  seals,  fm-  they  are  found  to  be  equally  at  home  on  beds  of  well 
Avater  worn  boulders  ami  on  flats  and  slojx's  locally  free  from  stones  or 
rocky  ])rojectioiis. 

liot).  INIost  of  tin;  rookeries  (m  the  I'ribyloff  Islands  are  diaracteri/ed 
by  extensive  otflying  beds  of  kelp,  which  indicates  a  gradually  shelv- 
ing rocky  bottom,  and  implies  tliat  any  very  heavy  sea  will  be  broken 
and  reduced  in  force  before  it  actually  falls  upon  the  land.  This  may 
be  a  desideratum,  but  it  is  not  a  necessity,  as  some  examples  show,  and 
the  kelp-beds  are  by  no  means  confined  to  those  parts  of  the  shores 
adjacent  to  the  rookeries. 

200.  It  api)ears  ])()ssible  to  mention  only  two  conditions  which  have 
been  avoided  by  the  seals  in  the  (ilioice  of  their  rookery  grounds:  these 
are  mud  and  loose  sand.  On  muddy  ground  the  fur  is  doubtless  apt  to 
become  uncomfortably  clotted,  and  the  sand  if  driven  by  the  wind  or 
sjilashed  about  by  rain  is  jjiobably  also  irritating  to  them.  Shifting 
sandy  ground  besides  renders  the  always  clumsy  locomotion  of  the  seal 
M'hen  ujion  the  land  additionally  ditlirult;  but  it  may  be  noted  that 
sandy  beaches  appear'to  be  well  liked  by  tlio  seals  when  they  haul  out 
temporarily,  and  are  not  actually  establisluHl  for  breeding  purposes.  On 
most  of  the  rookeiy  grounds,  away  from  the  actual  beach,  the  character 
of  the  soil  is  such  that  it  becomes  beaten  down  between  the  iirojectiug 


I 


78 


REPORT    OF    RRTTISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


rocks  info  a  liard  iind  nearly  smooth  (loor,  acircuinstHnccwliich  depends 
in  part  on  flie  incoiporation  witli  it  from  year  to  year  of  tlie  felled  hair 
whicli  is  shed  by  the  seals  themselves  dnrin<>'  the  st  lycy  season. 

11(11.  I5elirin<;'  and  (Copper  islands,  formin}^'  the  Coniinander  j^roiip, 
<lillei'  very  eonsiderably  in  i)liysical  as|)e('t  from  the  I'ribylolf  Islands, 
thonjih  like  them  they  are  entirely  destitute  of  either  arboreal  or 
shrubby  j^rowth,  and  ar(^  larj^ely  covered  by  ••rasses.  4'hese  two  islands 
form  parallel  elevaticuis  runniuj^  in  north  'vest  by  southeast  Ix'arinj^s, 
and  separated  by  a  least  distaiu'e  of  2(i  miles.  (Jo|»per  Island,  \vlii(!h  is 
furthest  to  the  eastward,  is  sei>aiated  by  1!I0  nnles  of  ocean  from  Attn 
Island,  I  he  W(^sternmost  of  t  ne  Aleutian  chain.  I!ehrin<j  Island  is  af^aiii 
removed  by  a  distance  <>f  'X>  miles  from  the,  nearest^  part  of  Kain- 
tscluitka,  and  ti.;»nj;h  the  hij;h  volcaniit  mountains  of  the  peninsula  nuiy 
in  clear  weather  be  sceu  from  the  island,  the  latter  is  pr<»bably  n;jver 
under  any  circumstances  visible  from  the  mainland.  It  is,  lu'vertheless, 
rather  remarkable  that  the  islands  of  this  urouphad  never  been  iidukb- 
ited  by  man  until  their  discovery  and  occupation  by  the  liussians  in 
1711.  as  the  distance  from  lh<'  mainland  is  not  so  (M)nsiderable  as  'v\ 
itself  to  alford  a  conii)letely  satisfactor\     xplanation. 

I'tlL'.  Helirinfi'  Island  is  about  r>(>  miles  in  extrenu'  leiifi'th,  with  a 
width  of  n«>ariy  -i)  miles  at  its  northern  and  widest  end.  From  this  it 
tapcis  gradually  bi'.t  irre<;ularly  to  ('ape  .'\laniti,  its  south-eastern 
extremity.  The  northern  half  of  ttie  island  is  low,  with  a  rollinj;  or 
nearly  Hat  suiface,  much  of  which  is  described  as  consist  ills''  of  "tun- 
dra" land.  It  includes  one  laif't'  lake,  which  discliarjics  (»ii  the  north- 
ern shore.  The  southern  hall  is  liinher.  and  appears,  as  seeii 
47  from  tlu'  sea,  to  consist  of  a  mass  of  rounded  hills  of  heifi,ht.s 
varyiiiii'  from  several  hundi'cd  to  perhaps  I, (>()(>  feet.  The  shores 
of  the  liij,Hier  i)art  of  the  island  ar«^  very  jicnerally  bordenul  by  clilfa 
or  steep  scari)C<l  rocks,  with  narrow  V-shaped  valleys  breakinj^  throujj;li 
them  to  the  sea.  The  ureater  i)art  of  the  islaiul  is  com]tosed,  so  far  aa 
examined,  and  also  on  the  authority  of  M.  (Jrebnitsky,  of  well  strati  lied 
Tertiary  roctks,  f>-eiierii!ly  shales  and  sandstones,  but  basalts  and  vol- 
canic breccias  appear  upon  some  parts  of  the  coast,  and  jienerally  from 
the  project inji'  reefs  and  rocks.  There  ai'c  no  harbours,  but  a  fair 
ancliora^i'c  with  otVsliore  winds  may  be  found  ai  Nikolski,  the  ouly  per- 
manent settlement,  situate*',  on  the  west  coast  of  the  island,  about  10 
miles  from  its  uorlli  end. 

'Jtl,'{.  Copper  or  Mcdni'  Island  is  about  30  miles  in  lenjj^th,  with  .1 
greatest  width  of  about  o  miles  to  the  south  of  the  middle  of  thi)  isiaiul. 
It  is  a  i)arlially  submerfjed  mountainous  ridue,  much  hij^'iier  and  bolder 
than  Behrinj;'  Island,  and  ap|>arently  almost  wlionycoiii])osed  of  volcanic 
rocks,  which  are  not,  however,  modern,  like  those  of  many  i>artsof  tho 
Aleutian  Islands,  but  i)robably  of  Tertiary  aji'c.  Its  surface  is  exceed- 
iufily  irrcfiular  and  comprises  very  little  Hat  land  of  any  kind,  while 
the  shore  is  often  bordered  by  bold  and  ru,!^i;('il  sea  clilfs,  i)articularly 
a'-.'ij;  the  south  eastern  side.  The  shore  line  of  this  side  is  sinuous, 
lit  that  of  the  north  east  side  is  broken,  and  comi)rises  several  consid- 
erable bays,  but  no  j;ood  harbours  for  laruc  vessels.  There  al•(^  three 
small  settlements  on  tlu^  coast:  (Jliiika,  Karebeliiy,  and  IMeobaJenski, 
the  last  named  beiiiii'  IIh^  most  northeiii,  and  the  oiil>' one  cont  iiuiously 
occupied  at  other  seasons  than  the  time  «)f  sealiufj.  The  liij;hest  parts 
of  ('opjiei'  Island  i»rol)ably  attain  an  elevation  ol"  .'{.(lOb  feet. 

iMil.  Alon<i-  the  shores  of  both  of  these  islands  there  are  extensive 
fields  of  kelp,  but  these  are  not  iiuu'c  notable  than  those  to  be  found 
in  similar  situations  iu  the  Aleutian,  I'libylolV,  and  other  islauds  of 


*  i 
I 


I 


I 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


79 


Iwith  a 
lisliUid. 
bolder 
olciinic 
(»r  the 
hxceed- 
,  while 
•ularly 
iiiuoius, 
icoiisid- 
h  tlirce 
Joiiski, 
iuously 
\t  parta 

tensive 

found 

luds  of 


the  southern  i>art  of  l^>('lirin}*'  Sea  or  alon.n'  the  Alaskan  and  "British 
Coinnibiaii  coasts, — a  lact  which  is])('rha|>s  woitliy  ol'  not<^  in  conniM'.tion 
with  stalenicnts  whicli  have  been  iiiadc  as  to  .lie  peculiar  suitability  of 
these  islands  to  the  graminivorous  and  now  cxiinct  Ithytina,  as  well  as 
from  its  i)ossibIe  bearings  on  the  habitats  of  llic  I'ur  seal. 

L't!5.  lI])on  riclirinfi  Island  the  I'ur  seals  arc  killed  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  two  rookeries,  where  salt-lnMises  are  established.  On 
Copper  Island,  tlu^  rookeries,  situated  on  the  .south  west  coast,  are 
classitied  under  two  j^roujts,  fiom  one  of  which  the  seals  are  driven 
across  to  Karebelny  and  from  the  other  to  (llinka  for  slauj;hter,  this 
beiiif?  sup])osed  to  l)e,  ueccssaiy  owin;^'  to  the  rough  character  of  the 
coast  wheie  they  are  actually  situated. 

2(10.  Further  evidence  of  tlu!a(la|>ial)ility  of  the  seals  to  circumstances 
is  found  in  comi>aiinj;  the  j)hysical  "Maraitter  of  the  rookeries  on  the 
Commander  Islands  with  tliose  of  th.-  I'ribyloll"  Islands.  On  Behriiifj 
Jsland,  the  North  Itookcry, situated  at  Vushin  Point, towards  the  western 
]»art  of  the  n<uth  coast  of  the  island,  is  the  larg<'st.  It  occujiies  a  flat 
stieteh  of  rocky  reef,  which  runs  seaward  in  a.  triangular  I'orm,  with  its 
Avide  base  against  the  laud  and  a  length  ol'  about  a  (piartei'  of  a  md((. 
The  surface  of  the  reef  is  irregular,  and  nuicii  of  it  sfamls  al)ovc  high- 
water  mark,  though  in  heavy  gales  few  jtarts  of  it  can  escai»c  the  more 
or  less  direct  wash  of  the  surf.  'J'o  tln^  west  of  the  reef  proper,  and 
connected  with  it,  is  a  wide  dry  beach  or  bar  of  sand,  which  is  also 
occu]>ied  by  seals,  but  (^lietly  by  lioIIuschicki(^  or  bachelors.  On  the 
landward  side,  the  reef  is  overlooked  by  low  rocky  banks  overgrown  by 
rank  grasses  and  weeds,  and  between  these  and  the  reef  ])rop«'r  ares(»me 
snudl  irr«'gi:lar  grassy  Hats  and  pools  of  salt  water.  Here  the  seals 
never  go,  though  there  is  no  appai'cnt  icason  why  this  upjier  ])Iateau 
might  not  be  used  as  a  hauling  ground  or  "parade."  which  would  resem- 
ble several  of  those  adjacent  to  rook<'ries  (»n  the  PiibylolV  Islands. 

U67.  The  South  IJookery  (»n  Uchring  Island,  situated  at  roludenni 
Toint,  on  the  south  west  side  of  the  island  aiul  about  midway  in  its 
length,  was  not  visited  by  us.  it  is,  however,  much  smalU-r  than  the  last, 
au(l  is  described  as  ])resenting  very  similar  characters.  In  both  cases 
there  is  ample  rooiu  ibr  expansion  of  the  rookery  ground  w  itlumt  break- 
ing its  continuity. 

L'dS.  On  Co|>p;'t  Island,  the  circumstances  are  again  quite  different. 
The  rookeries  ami  haulinggroiinds  are  here  scatli'red  along  about  1.5 
miles  of  the  s(uith  east  coast,  e.\t<'U(liiig  from  al)out  the  middle  of  the 
islaml  to  its  southern  end.  All  the  rookeiies  aie  small;  and  though 
distinguished  by  various  local  uanu's  they  are  not  well  defined,  but 
are  connected  by  irregular  scattered  colonies  of  breeding  seals  strung 
along  the  narrower  and  less  favourable  jtarts  of  the  shore.  The  whole 
shore  is  bordered  by  high  irregular  cliffs,  here  and  Iheri^  bi'oken  by 
raviner,  or  by  more  moderate  thcugh  always  steej)  and  rough  rocky 
and  grassy  slojjes.  Flat  rocky  leefs  lun  out  irregulaily  from  the  shoie 
below,  with  abundance  of  rocks  awash  and  large  fields  of  kelp. 
Opposite  the  breaks  in  the  cliffs  are  honidery  or  gi  av(!lly  bays, 
aiul  both  these  and  the  larger  ai'cas  of  reef  are  irregularly  occu- 
pied by  the  seals.  At  I'alata.  Point,  near  the  southern  «'xtremity  of 
the  island,  the  seals  occupy  a  steep  slope  of  earthy  appearance,  which 
they  ha\('comi)letely  bared  of  vegetation  to  a  distance  estimated  at  loO 
to  L'dO  yards  Itack  tVom  the  shore,  and  a  height  of,  say,  LMIO  feet.  This 
rookery  in  its  ge»  ?ral  <'liaract<'r  more  closely  i('sembi«'s  Starry  Arteel 
than  any  other  of  the  Tiibyhilf  Islands,  li  is  distin(ti\ely  a  breeding 
rookery,  as  no  holluschickie,  it  is  said,  ever  haul  out  near  it. 


48 


I  <  ' 


80 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


209.  On  0()])ppr  Island,  linwever,  as  on  lielirinj;  Island,  M.  Tillman, 
the  Superintendent  in  ('liarj;e  lor  tlie  Hiissian  (lovernnient,  states  that 
even  wlieii  rlie  seals  were  more  abundant  tliaii  in  ISIU,  there  has  never 
been  aii}^  laek  of  room  for  expansion  of  the  rook'iies  and  hanlin}j; 
{^rounds,  and  that  there  are  many  other  localities  in  all  res])ects  equi-lly 
well  suited  for  oecnj)ation  by  the  seals,  thouji^h  tliese  usually  o(  euj)y  the 
same  or  nearly  the  same  stations  year  after  year.  It  is  thus  evident 
on  the  Commander  as  on  the  I'ribylolf  Islands,  that  no  very  special  or 
l»eculiar  physical  features  are  re(|uired  to  render  certain  spots  suitable 
as  the  breedinj;  resorts  of  the  fur  seal.  It  is  necessary  to  emphasize 
this  point,  as  the  cpiestion  has  been  obscured  by  a  tendency  to  surround 
it  with  a  certain  myst(^ry,  and  to  aihrm  that  certain  spots,  and  those 
alone,  are  available  as  rookery  grounds. 

Ii7().  Tlie  fact  remains  to  be  explained,  however,  tliat  the  breedinjf 
seals  actually  do  resort  with  gieat  persistency  to  tiie  various  recoginzed 
roi.keries,  conjjregatinj;'  in  these  spots  and  leaving;  other  neighbouring 
j>arts  of  the  shores  of  the  breeding  islands  untenanted.  There  is 
indeed  some  'vidence  to  show  that  the  same  old  bulls  or  "beach- 
masters"  from  year  to  year  occui)y  the  same  ])laces,  and  it  is  (juito 
probable  thattiie  instinct  which  induces  many  animals  to  leturn  to  the 
same  jdace  in  su(;ceeding  ^^easons,  may  intluence  the  fur  seal.  There 
is,  howexer,  aiMtther  and  very  obvious  jnactical  cause  (or  the  reoccu- 
pation  of  old  rookery  grounds.  As  a  rule,  these  exteiul  some  distaniie 
beyond  the  icai-h  of  the  sea.  and  are  (heie  by  the  continuous  presence 
and  mo\ement  ot  the  seals  not  only  bared  of  vegetation,  but  beaten 
down  into  smooth  and  hard  fiats  and  slopes,  and  therefore  constitute 
as  long  as  tiiey  are  occupied  each  year,  and  from  this  very  cause,  the 
places  most  congenial  to  the  seals.  The  fact  that  tiie  tirst  of  the  seals 
to  arrive  in  the  spring,  coast  along  tin;  shores  aiul  land  lor  a  time  in  a 
timid  and  tentative  way  only,  shows  that  they  are  in  st'arch  either  ot* 
their  old  breeding  stations  or  of  suitable  new  ones,  and  tliere  can  be  no 
doubt  that  they  are  largely  guided  in  ilieir  choice  by  the  very  maii'fest 
triu'cs  of  former  occupation  by  their  species  which  the  rookery  sites 
present. 

271.  Not  the  least  evident  of  these  signs  is  the  peculiar  and  very 
distinct  odour  of  the  rooUery  grounds.  It  is  certain  that  the  sense  of 
smell  is  more  trusted  in  by  the  fur  seal  as  an  indication  of  danger  than 
either  that  of  sight  ov  hearing  (the  eye  and  jiossibly  the  ear  also  being 
])robabIy  adapted  rather  to  use  in  the  water  tlian  in  thi>  air)  and  it  is 
more  than  likely  cm]tloyed  in  relocating  tlu^  old  breeding  grounds  in 
eacdi  succeeding  year.  This  is  the  opinion  of  the  natives,  who  have 
had  the  best  op|tortunities  for  observation,  and  is  Ixufie  out  by  many 
other  facts,  some  of  wliidi  are  elsewhere  alludeil  to  in  this  report. 

272.  The  reasonable  consideration  of  this  subject  has  been  somewhat 
obstructed  by  the  assumption  of  an  eiilirely  unwarranted  llxily  in  the 
position  and  ait'a  of  the  ground  oct  u]ti(>d  each  year  by  the  breeding 
and  non  breeding  seals  of  each  rookery  site.  For  the  very  reason, 
api)ai'ently,  that  such  fixity  is  not  foniul  in  nature,  it  ai)peals  to  the 
innigiuation  of  writers  of  a  certain  class.  While  it  may  therefore  be 
admitted  that  the  several  rookeries  have  on  the  whole  a  iiotal>le  degree 
of  peinianeiicy,  this  uiid<aibtedly  aiises  from  their  continued  occupa 
lion  eacdi  year,  rather  than  from  any  jieculiar  physical  conditions  in 
the  jdaces  chosen;  and  while  the  animals  are  ch  arly  averse  to  sudden 
clianj.e.  the  bonndaiies  of  indiviilual  rookeries  when  not  naturally 
limitei,',  evid«Mitly  from  year  to  year  increase  in  one  direction  and 
diminish  in  another,  in  consetpieuce  of  circumstances  which  uii'.;y  au 


11  man, 
^s  til  at 
,  never 
auliii}? 
Kjuiaiy 
\)y  the 
!vident 
>cial  or 
uitable 
pliasizo 
rround 
I  those 

L-eedinj? 
ognized 
bouriiiff 
'here  is 
"beach- 
is  (piito 
n  to  the 
There 
r(»occu- 
ili  stance 
[)resence 
t  beaten 
)nstitute 
inse,  the 
tlie  seals 
inie  in  a 
either  of 
an.  be  no 
man 'test 
i'ry  sites 

md  very 
sense  of 
oer  than 
so  bi'ing 
and  it  is 
)Uiids  iu 
ho  have 
>y  many 
irt. 

mewhat 
y  in  the 
tVeeding 

reason, 
lis  to  the 
irclore  be 
le  (U'<free 

o('('\i|)a- 
litidiis  ill 
1)  sinhleu 
jalinally 
lion  and 

mi'.;y  al 


I 


REPORT    OF    BRITTSn    COMMISSIONERS. 


81 


first  be  acr-idental;  bnt  which  are  acciniesccd  in  by  tlie  seals  and  ren- 

dci-ed  for  a  time  pci'iiKineiit.     This  is  jiarticnlarly  tli(^  case  with  the 

haiiiinf^-gronnds  or  icsorts  of  the  liolhisciiickic,  wlii(tii  hang  abont  the 

holders  of  the  breeding  rooiu-rics   proitcr,  and  tluis  in  the  conrsc  of 

year? 

may  come  to 


a  very  coiisidcrabh;  area  of  groniid  in  ajiy  i)articii]ar  locality 
bear  tr4c<'s,  in  jtolished  rock  surfaces  and  otherwise,  of 


the  |>rescnce  of  sc;ils,  in  consc(|Ucncc  of  tlic  natnnil  oscilhitions  of  th(! 
wiiole  body  ol'  animiils  whicli  liave  oitcurred  in  the  course  of  many 
j«cn ('rations  of  seal  life. 

2TA.  It  is  unfortunate  tiiat  no  such  i)recise  or  consecutive  observa- 
tions have  been  made,  witli  the  aid  of  plans,  measurcMimts,  and  llxed 
marks,  as  to  enable  tlie  (dian.nes  in  rookery-  and  iiiinlin.i;. grounds  to  be 
followed  out  from  year  to  year,  either  on  the  i'ribylolf  or  ronimander 
Islands.  Jt  will  b(^  siitlic-ient.  however,  to  refer  to  a  few  known 
49  fads  which  sire  indepcinicnt  of  very  (dose  observation,  but  bear 
on  the  point  in  discussion.  One  of  t  liesc  is  the  remarkable  dilfer- 
ences  noted  in  various  yeais  between  the  relative  ))ro]>ortion  of  seals 
visitinj?  the  two  ish.iids,  St.  Tanl  and  St.  (Icor^ic  These  art;  referred 
to  in  connection  with  the  historical  notes  on  those  islands.  Of  the 
same  purport  is  the  fact  that  two  rookeries  existeil  within  historical 
times  at  a  place  called  Maroonitch,  on  the  north  coast  of  St,  Paul, 
wlii(di  even  maintained  their  jtositioii  in  a  rediieed  form  in  the  sciison 
of  fi'ieat  scarcity  of  seals  in  l.S.'K),  but  wliicdi  have  siii(;e  absolutely  dis- 
appeared, thoufi'li  there  is  no  reason  to  suppos(>  that  they  were  at  any 
time  heavily  drawn  upon,  if  at  nil  distnrlx'd  by  man.  lOlIiott  states 
that  in  ISTU-TI,  whni  at  the  ))i(Mni)ting  of  .he  natives  he  examined 
tills  shore,  he  was  still  abh^  to  trace  the  old  limits  of  these  rookeries 
toh'iably  well  by  the  [xdished  edues  of  the  rocks.*  Another.  tlioii<;h 
never  lar^c.  rookery,  ininieil  Nali  speel,  situated  neiir  the  viiliij^e  du 
St,  I'aul  Island,  has  become  extinct  iiion^  icctMitly;  while  as  a  fact,  in 
theojiposite  direction,  the  format  ion  of  the  Laj^oon  liookery  within  the 
memory  of  initiNcs  still  living  may  be  cited. + 

274,  St.  (icoi'}.;!'  Island  again,  tin;  natives  assert,  was  i.'  early lliissian 
times,  edirely  peojiled  by  sea  lions,  and  tlic^  fur-seal  began  to  frequent 
it  only  in  Inter  years.  Though  more  doubtful  thiin  the  other  cited 
instiinees,  here  a[)pears  to  b(^  some  reason  to  believe  that  there  is  a 
basis  of  fact  in  this  statement  also. f 

L'".").  An  examination  (»f  the  shores  of  the  Pribylotf  Islands,  shows 
that  statements  wiiieii  iinve  occasiiuialiy  been  made,  to  tli(<  ettt'rt  that 
all  ground  .ivailal»le  for  the  purposes  of  seal  life  has  been  fully  oceii- 
])ie(i  within  nistorie  times,  are  incorreet,  and  that  the  most  exteiideil 
limits  of  even  l<'mporaryo«'ciipation  indicated  by  any  marks  still  riMiiain- 
ing,  do  not  i)ro\e  that  tiie  area  axailable  aii<l  suilal)le  for  bn'eding 
rookeries  and  hauling  grminds  lias  ever  been  occii|)ied  up  to  its  full 
capacity.     From  this  it  follows,  that  <'veii  if  restricted  for  bucding 


])iirposes 


to  tl 


lese  particMiIar  i-Iaiids.  tlie  fur  seal  has  iiexcr  reached  its 


natinal  limit  in  nnmbers  in  conseiiiiencc  ot  ;i  want  of  space  for  breed- 
ing ground  but  only  as  the  result  of  othn-v  causes. 

117(!.  As  a  further  result  of  th(»  examinaf  w-n  of  the  jthysical  (diaracter- 
istics  of  tiie  rookery  grounds,  it  may  bo  stated  tliat  the  necessary  con- 

•  United  .States  Census  Ivcporf,  pi).  H>,  59. 

tIMil,  p.  r.L'. 

{United  States  (JtMinns  I{c))()rt.  [>.  TiS.     VVlu'u  Lntktf  vinitcd  tlio  IstandM  in   IS27, 
alioiit  1,01)0  s(>a-li()im  worn  kiiJDd  oacli  year  on  .St.  fr('<ir<j»>.  ami  ;{(i()  or  IdO  on  St.  Pim 
lull   rni-.scals  wore  alsd  aliiiuiiiiiii;  on  L»ol,U. 


VoAaiio  AuLoui  liu  .Mundo,"  Loiuo  i, 


.'(;, 


U  S,  PT  VI- 


82 


REPORT   OF    UKITISJI    COMMISSIONERS. 


ditions,  and  even  (lie  iiiosl  tavoiuablo  coiiditions,  are  by  no  means  con- 
lined  to  the  I'ribyloir  and  Commander  Islands,  wide  rocky  beaches 
overloolied  by  seaclills,  and  witli  all  the  eharacteristicsot'tlioseofCop- 
])er  Island,  are  found  on  many  of  the  islands  of  tiie  Aleutian  chain,  and 
thonjih  low  i)lateau.\  bordering'  the  shores,  or  /'entle  slopes  rising  from 
the  beaches  are  not  so  coninion,  there  are  jjlenty  of  them  to  be  found 
in  dillerent  ])arts  of  this  j^reat  serie^•  of  islands,  "some  of  which,  as  for 
instance  the  Seniitchi  Islands,  almost  precisely  resend)le  St.  Paul  in 
l)hysical  characters.  Again,  on  St.  iNlatthew  and  Hall  Islands,  locali- 
ties well  suited  for  brecnling  i)lacesof  the  fur-seal  occur,  but  as  already 
indicated,  the  iniiabited  (iharacter  of  the  Aleutian  chain,  and  the  long 
continuan(!e  of  ice  about  the  St.  IMatthew  Islands  probably  exi)laiu  the 
absence  of  rookeries  in  these  places. 

(I).) — Annual  Progress  of  Events  in  Seal  Life  on  the  Breeding  Islands. 

277.  In  order  to  follow  out  the  various  questions  connected  with  the 
life  history  of  the  fur-seal,  it  is  necessary  to  bear  in  mind  the  main 
l)()ints  involved  in  that  inii)ortant  part  of  each  year  during  which  it 
resorts  to  the  breeding  islands.  A  summary  of  the  facts  in  this  con- 
nection will  be  given  here. 

So  far  as  regards  the  Pribylolf  Islands,  the  fullest  details  nnder  this 
head  maybe  found  in  thewiyrksof  several  writers,  particularly  in  those 
of  ibyant.  lOlliott,  and  Maynard.  There  is  very  little  room  for  ditfer- 
eiu'c  of  opinion  as  to  the  main  facts,  and  most  of  tiie  i)oints  in  which 
divergence  is  found  niay  be  explained  by  the  tendency  to  give  too  rigid 
dates  and  too  precise  an  as))ect  to  the  various  events  and  changes;  or  to 
the  circumstance  that  Avith  the  growing  depletion  of  males  upon  the 
ishjnds  and  its  attendant  results,  the  dates  and  habits  formerly  observed 
by  the  seals  have  als(t.  to  some  extent,  changed  from  year  to  year.  It 
will  be  sullicient  to  gi\(^  a  general  and  very  brief  resume  of  the  princi- 
l)al  events  of  the  bleeding  season  based  chietlyon  the  combined  obser- 
vations of  the  writers  above  cited,  and  atterwards  to  i'<'fer  in  somewhat 
greater  detail  to  a  few  important  points  connected  with  these  and  with 
the  geiu'ral  organization  of  seal  life  on  the  islands. 

UTS.  The  lirst  seals  to  arrive  at  the  islands  in  sj>ring  are  the  full- 
50  giown  males  or  ''bulls"  of  about  six  years  old  and  uitwards.  A 
few  siragglers  sometinu's  reach  the  islands  as  early  as  the  mid- 
dle of  Ajuil,  and  from  about  tiie  1st  ]\lay  to  the  lOth  or  l."»th  .June  they 
continue  to  arrive,  but  in  much  larger  numbers  towards  the  latter  i)art 
of  this  peiiod.  On  arrival,  these  full-grown  males,  generally  known  as 
"beachniasters,"  or  •'seecatchie,'"  take  up  stations  on  the  old  rookery 
grounds  to  await  the  coming  of  the  fenuiles. 

VVitli  the  main  body  of  full  grown  bulls  a  large  proportion  of  the 
"bacliehu's,"  or  younger  males,  also  ap])ear. 

1I7!>.  The  time  of  arrival  and  landing  of  the  gravid  fenuiles  appears 
to  depend  directly  on  the  approaching  close  of  their  ])eriod  of  gesta 
tion.  A  few  usually  laud  as  early  as  tlie  1st  June,  but  it  is,  under  nor- 
mal circumstances,  hvtween  the  middle  of  Juneaiul  the  middle  of  .July 
that  the  great  body  of  fenuiles  come  ashore,  and  at  or  about  the  same 
time  most  of  tlie  yeai  lings  of  both  sexes,  or  such  of  them  as  resort  to 
the  islands,  also  gciH'ially  arrive,  though  it  a])pears  that  in  so nu',  years, 
at  least,  the  main  body  of  seals  of  this  class  huuls  sonu'what  later. 

On  landing,  the  fi  males,  or  "cows,''  are  taken  i)ossession  of  by  the 
old  bulls,  and  very  soon  after  landing  the  young  iire  born.  Within  a 
tew  days  I  lie  t■(M^ale^  arc  again  in  heat  and  umler  nornuil  circuinstan(!OS, 
with  an  adetjuate  supply  of  \  irile  iiuiles,  the  female  is  at  once  served. 


ol 


REPORT    OF    UlilTISH    COMMLSblONEKS. 


83 


s  con- 
aches 
f  Cop- 
1,  and 
r  from 
found 
as  for 
aul  in 
locali- 
heady 
le  long 
xin  the 


[slands. 

■ith  the 

le  main 

*liich  it 

his  con- 
dor this 

in  those 

,r  ditVer- 

n  which 

too  rigid 

es ;  or  to 

Hiou  the 

)bserved 
ear.  It 
0  princi- 
d  (ibscr- 
micwliiit 
iiiul  with 

the  lull- 

irds.    A 

Itlie  mid- 

lune  they 

liter  part 

niown  as 

loolcery 

In  of  the 

appears 
[)f  gesta 
lider  nor- 
of  July 
the  same 
I  resort  to 
jie  years, 
later. 
I)f  by  the 
|Vithin  a. 
I\stances, 
1'  served. 


The  landing  of  gravid  fein;il<'s  does  not  nsnally  cease  till  about  the 
2()tli  or  iTttli  -Inly,  and  in  •. crtaiii  \eais  Inis  been  continued  niueii  later 
by  leinah's  vvlii(di  have  evidently  been  serv«!d  unusually  late  in  the  pre- 
vious season. 

L'SO.  All  this  time  tln^  bulls  Jealously  keep  the  I'enuiles  they  have 
secured  within  tlie  bouiuhuies  of  tlieir  [>aiti(uiar  harems,  Init  about  the 
end  of  July,  or  early  in  August,  the  breeding  rookeries  begin  to  h)So 
their  conipa',;t  (thaiaeter.  The  beach-niastc  rs,  or  many  of  (hem,  return 
to  the  sea,  or  haul  out  heieor  tiiere  on  the  beiidifs,  whih'  young(>r  males 
crowd  upon  the  rookeries,  and  tlu^  female:s  continue  going  and  coining 
between  the  sea  and  their  young  on  shore,  lietbre  the  middle  of 
August  a  large  ju'oiiortion  of  the  females  are  at  all  tiiiu's  to  be  fouiul 
swinuning  and  dispoiting  themselves  in  (he  water  (;lose  to  the  rookery 
ground,  and  the  young  collect  in  masses  along  the  edges  of  the  shore 
and  rocks,  from  which  they  make  short  excursions  into  the  sea. 

L'Sl.  About  (ne  midiiie  of  August.  mos(  (if  the  seals  (bund  upon  the 
Tribylotf  Islands  become  what  is  krmwn  as  "s(agey."  in  conse(pieiice 
of  the  shedding  (>f  tlu;  hair  and  undei-  fur.  This  eondidon  appears  to 
(Mmtinue,  more  or  less  dclinitely,  lor  about  six  weeks.  The  fact,  else- 
where mentioned,  that  practically  no  "stagey''  skins  are  ever  (akei:  at 
sea,  ai)pears  not  only  to  show  that  the  change  in  pelage  is  rendered 
di'Onite  ami  well  tnarked  by  prolonged  resort  to  the  land,  but  also  that 
during  this  period  the  seals  fre(pnMi(ing  (he  islands  do  not  go  to  any 
great  disrance  from  their  shores, 

282.  In  October  the  seals  begin  generally  to  leave  the  islamls,  tiie 
oldest  and  strongest  being  the  (list  to  go.  Nearly  all  the  bachelors,  or 
holluschickie.  have  left  betbre  (he  KUh  Novend)er,  and  belbrethe  end  of 
that  month  all  the  jjups  of  the  year,  which  have  now  changed  the  first 
black  coat  tor  a  grey  one,  also  go.  A  very  few  s<'als,  however,  gener- 
ally linger  on  into  l)eceMil)er,  and  in  exceptional  years  have  been  known 
to  stay  on  into  January  and  even  into  I\  bruary. 

2<S.').  The  seals  res(»rtini;'  to  the  Conimandtr:'  Islands,  which  belong,  at 
least  in  the  main,  to  a  different  migration  area,  and  reach  the  islands 
from  the  soutli-westwai'd,  arc  thought  by  Ihosc  ac<piianted  with  both 
these  and  the  I'ribylolf  Islands  to  be  some\vhat  later  in  the  date  of  tlieir 
airival  than  thoseof  thelatter  islands.  It  is  stated  that  here  as  on  the 
I'ribylolf  Islands  the  seals  have  been  later  than  usual  in  coming  in  recent 
years.  In  ISiil,  we  Ibund  the  "stagey"  seas<)n  was  just  beginning  on 
the  Commander  Islands  on  the  1st  September.  Tlie  first  killing  of 
seals  took  place  on  (jopper  Island  in  the  same  year  on  the  22ud  June, 
(b'uerally  speaking,  some  seals  can  be  (bund  to  Kill  on  (his  i><land  (in 
Avhich  the  dates  are  slighdy  iu  advaiu;e  of  those  in  liehriiig  lislaiid)  as 
eaily  as  the  1st  June. 

(K.) — Ages  at  which  Afales  reach  Virility,  and  the  Feinnlen  prodtii^  Yohh^ 

281.  The  ages  at  which  the  male  and  fenmle  seals  respectively  reach 
ma(nrity  and  hecoTue  able  to  take  part  in  the  pro.  reation  of  their  species, 
as  well  as  (he  nundxr  of  years  (lurbig  which  the  m;.M'  remains  virile 
ami  the  female  lertile,  are  (piestions  oi'  very  practical  imjiorlance  bom 
two  points  of  view.  In  the  tirst  place,  they  enalile  r,s  to  trace  out  (he 
eflecl  of  the  killing  of  seals  of  s[)ecial  ages  or  sexcf.  at  cvilain  (inns, 
and,  in  the  second,  to  estimate  the  tinu'  necessary  tbi  any  imi)rovenH  iit 
in  iiunilxMs  to  follow  from  the  sparing  <if  the  younger  seals  on   (he 

rodkeries. 
r>l  28,").  Veidandnov  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  the  female  gives 

birth  to  its  tirst  young  in  i(>  tifth  year,  and   ba>cs  a  somewhat 


R4 


REPORT    OF    HRTTIRH    COMMISSIONERS. 


iii( riciitc iiiid  iiifionioiis scries ol" ciilciiliitions ])nrtly  on  tliis supposition,* 
hill  tlicrc  is  now  ;i  very  <;('n('i';il  coiiscnsiis  <ii'ni)iiiion  anion.n'  tliosc  wiio 
liavc  stmlicd  tliis  (pn'stion  on  tlic  I'l-ihylol'l'  Islands  to  tlio  ctli'ct  tiiat 
the  li'iiiah's  art'  covered  at  or  slic  y  allcr  tiie.  expiry  of  tlio  second 
year  Iroin  tlie  time  of  their  hirti  'i  hear  yoiinj;'  in  tlietliii'd  year  from 
liiat  time  or  early  in  tiuMonrtli  ^  I'ar  of  tlieir  a,ii'e.  Tlie  same  oj)inion 
was  foniid  to  be  held  npon  the  ('(»niiiiainler  islands,  and  there  is  every 
reason  to  l)elieve  that  it  is  essentially  correct. 

L'Sd.  I'.otii  iiialesand  femalesleav(Mhe  isiamls at  the cloaeof  the  season 
in  wliicii  they  are  horn  as  "jiicy  pnjis,"  fhei  sexes  hein^f  niidistinj^nisli- 
ahle  to  all  ontward  apjiearaiice.  In  tli(^  following-  season  they  are 
classed  as  yearlings,  and  it  is  prohahle  (hat  a  larnc  prop(»rtion  of  these 
either  do  not  land  npon  the  islands  at  all  or  stay  only  for  a  shoit  time 
on  shore.  Snch  of  theyearlin.usasa  c  fonnd  npon  the  islands,  however, 
liolh  males  an<l  females,  consort  with  the  hollnst-hicUie  or  l)a<tlieIors. 

-ST.  It  ap])ears,  fnrtiicr,  to  he  certain  that  the  malcsai  liveat  viiility 
in  their  I'onrth  year,  and  l)et  ween  (his  time  and  that  in  which  they  attain 
thcii'  full  strength  and  size  and  are  ahle  to  maintain  tlieir  ]»laces  on  the 
l)icc<lin.u'  rook(  ry,  when  six  or  seven  yea's  old,  they  are  often  s|)oken  of 
as  '-ha  If- hulls  "or  ••reserves."  'I'liey  actually  serve  in  (he  latter  capacity, 
and  coNcr  many  of  the  lenuiles  which  escape  the  attentions  of  th(>older 
males  npiui  tlic  rookery  jiionnds,  and  in  snch  cases  the  act  of  coition  is 
usually  acconiplished  at  sea. 

L'SS.  While  the  jtoints  just  referied  to  may  he  snpposed  to  have  heen 
Mscer(aim'(l  with  moderate  <'«'rtainty.  nothing' is  certainly  known  as  to 
(he  maximum  a,i;t's  atlaine<l  hy  seals  (»f  the  two  sexes  I'cspectively.  and 
\<My  little  as  to  the  total  numher  <vt"  yoni  'which  a  tcmale  may  hear 
duriuii'  the  continuance  of  her  fertility,  or  tiu'  nuiulier  oi'  years  duiinj;" 
which  the  male  retains  his  virility.  Mlliott  conjectnres  that  (he  females 
may  live  to  an  a^c  of  IS  or  '_*(>  years,  liryant  uives  his  reasons  foi'  sup 
lii>siM,u  that  1'2  years  is  ahout  the  av<'raji<'  attained  hy  the  nudes.f 
\  I'uiaminov  thoujilit  that  the  females  in  their  prime  briiiin'  forth  every 
year,  and  as  (hey  j^iow  oldei'.  excry  second  year.  He  states  that,  accor<l- 
iiiji  (o  persons  tamiliar  wit  li  rhem.  each  female  may  produce  in  the  conrse 
of  her  life  ten  or  (itteen  younii  or  <'ven  more.j:  lie  admits,  iiowever, 
that  this  is  veiy  nm ci  tain.  an<l  the  whole  suitjcct  is,  in  fact,  beset  \\ith 
almosl  insupciahle  diflicult  ies.  ,\  !1  (hat  is  certain  is  (hat  ho(h  nndes 
and  females  coudinu'  to  iierforiii  their  timet  ions  as  !>i'eeders  for  a  con- 
sideiable  nundier  of  years. 

L*S!».  I'rom  w  hat  has  been  said  as  to  the  niiiiih'.'r  of  years  reqnired  by 
tile  respeejnc  sexes  to  rcicli  maturity,  it  lollows  that  any  ji'reat  h)ss 
ofyouii;;  in  tlie  year  of  tlicir  hilt  1;  can  only  heuin  to  nmi;e  itself  appar 
cut  «»«i  the  rookeries,  in  tin-  case  of  females,  attt'r  the  lapse  of  three 
years,  and  in  the  ca>e  of  males  al'hi  li\e  or  six  years.  Thus  in  the 
event  of  (he  killiii.u  of  all  or  nearl\  all  (lie  youni;  males  of  a  cerlain 
ajie,  in  any  o-ne  year  or  series  (»f  years,  a  void  ol  smaller  or  lai'^er 
dinifTisioii^  is  created  in  (he  sMjiply  of  full-^rown  males  for  (he  rookery 
iiioiiiuls.  which  can  unlv  be  jiaitially  hrid;;ed  hy  (he  <'oii(inuance  on 
the  ritokeries  <»i  the  ohlcr  and  eiileehled  males,  which  Inive  ])assed  their 
natural  term  of  retirement.  If  such  killiui:'  is  maintained  froJiiycarto 
year,  the  detciioration  in  tiw  sui»ply  of  vir'h-  males  tor  the  rei|uiremen(s 
of  tite  females,  thoii<>ii  slow  and  spread  over  several  oi'  many  years, 
must  be  eondnuous.     Moreover,  the  lowering  ot  the  standard  w<'i;;ht 


4 


•(j)miiIi'(1  liy  llliiili   ill  1  nitiil  States  Cfiisiis  l\i'i)i(it,  )).  1(1  el  nv(j. 
I  "  M>iiii(iira|ili  111'  \orlli  Vwfricaii  i'iiiiiipiMlN,"  ]>.  tUT 
il^imlctJ  hy  lllliiit!  ill  1  Hiii-d  Stales  l 'ciisu>  Id  |i<iii,  p.  Ml. 


RET'ORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


85 


tion,* 
e  wlio 
t  that 

;cr()lHl 
V  iVoin 
jiiiiioii 
I  every 

season 
ijiuish- 
ley  are 
t  these 
It  time 
>we,ver, 

I'loVS. 

virility 
y  Mttain 
s  on  tlie 
>()k<'n  of 
ii])iMity, 
heohltT 
■oition  is 

we  l)een 

WW  as  to 

vely.  and 

nay  ix-av 

s  (liiiinj;- 

.',  leniah'S 
.  for  sup 
niales.t 
th  every 

t,  iieeord- 
le  course 

lliowever, 
,>sct  ^^  ith 
)th  mah's 
or  ;i  eou- 

ijuiied  hy 

licat  loss 

•iriil)par 

ot  tlnee 
Is  ill  tlie 
la  certain 
1)1'  hirfier 
U  I'ookery 
|n;ine»>  on 

;se»l  their 
hn  year  to 
liiienienls 
liiy  years. 
l(i  \vei;ilit 


of  skins  wliich  has  aetnally  occnrred  in  late  years  on  the  Pribyloft' 
Islands,  Iteeanse  of  tl;t'  scaicily  of  nudes  of  3  or  4  years  of  a;;e  and 
wliieii  permits  tiie  killinj;-  toeinhraee  tlioseof  2  years  ohl  and  even  yt^ar- 
lin.i;s.  is  tli<' rnusl  etfeetnal  nietiiod  possible  of  eultin}?  oil'  (lie  supply  of 
\  irile  males  at,  the  fountain  head,  and  of  enlaryinj;  thi^  void  in  male  seal 
ii(e  to  alarming'  proportions. 

L'!M».  Details  of  this  kind,  with  their  observed  idfecits  on  seal  life,  are 
(uted  in  abstiaet  in  the  histori<"al  notes  «!lse,\vliere  f;iven  (§  SIO  <,7.  .sw/.), 
bnl  it  is  impossible  to  adecpnitely  represent  in  suuMuari/ed  form  the 
whole  of  the  facts  bearing;-  on  this  point.  Captain  Kiyant's  observa- 
tions, as  <pn)ted  by  Alien,  slioidd  be,  referied  to.* 

Ui»l.  TIm'  diminution  whieli  has  culminated  in  lale  years  on  the 
rribylolf  Islands  lecalls  the  criticism  made  by  Lutke,  vhen  lie  visited 
tiiese  islands  in  KS27.     laitki'  wiites: 

La  procaiitiori  dci  S'^jiiuor  Ich  jjjios   infiloH  d'avcc,  (^ciix  (|iii  doivciit.  ("'tro  tiit^H,  est 

ii(''('css;iin!  imiii-  cnlrclciiir  l;i  riiull  i])lii!it  ion  :  iiiiiis  cf^tto  pn'c'iiitioii  cHt-cilff  MiililiMiiiito 

liriur  ctilii?     Si  toiiH  Ics  JtMiiics  s'liit   <!Xl('iiiiiiiis,  d'oii  sditinnit  :i  lit  Hn  U'.s  <r\im 

52         mi'ilcnif     li«'s  chiissi'iii's  exiit-rinici  t.  s  out  oliscrvf'  (|iic  lis  ours  maiiii.s  vivcnt  do 

([iiiiizo  a  v!iii;t  iins;  il  eii  rrHiiltc  i|irav(;c  coltf  nn  tiioiic,  dans  viiiyt  ans  il  no 

doit  i)lns  roster  .ni  s(!nl.* 

(F,) — Ucqumitc  prnportuDi.s  of  Sr.rcs, 

LM>2.  TIioui;h  <'a('h  full  fii<)\vn  male  or  "seacatch  "  holdino'  ids  place  on 
the  rookery  yionnd  endea\'ouis  to  obtain  and  keep  abduf  him  as  many 
females  as  possible,  there  is  a  limit  to  the  niindtcr  w  liich  may  be  advan- 
taji'eously  held  l»y  a  single  male,  and  when  adidt  males  are  tbnnd  in 
abundaiice.it  is  not  easy  to  jiass  this  noiinal  lindt;  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  win  n,  in  coiisc(iuence  of  a  paucity  of  adult  males  in  inoportion 
to  females,  the  harems  become  too  lar^^e,  the  females  ar<'  irrennlarly 
scivcd,  served  too  lat<>  in  the  season,  or,  in  s(»me.  cases,  may  altoj^cther 
escape  ellicient  service,  with  resulting;  irre.milarities  in  times  of  birth  of 
youny  in  the  next  year,  or  an  addition  to  the  number  of  barren  females. 

It'X't.  The  proper  i)ro])oit  ion  of  adult  males  to  females  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained by  inspecti(»n  of  the  i'ribyloff  rookeries  as  they  are  at  present, 
l)e«'ause  of  the  obvious  and  ^■enerally  acknowlcdj^ed  deficiency  of  virile 
males;  but  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  control  of  these  islands  by  the 
[Inited  States,  IJryant  i'stimated  the  <'\istiii,s''  ])roportion  as  about  one 
niah^  to  lilteen  females,  or.  as  indicated  by  other  statements  by  the  same 
writer,  as  one  to  nine  or  twelse.  t  IClliott,  a  few  years  later,  and  siibse*- 
(juent  to  th<^  date  of  certain  chanj;es  in  organization  of  the  seals 
(lescribed  by  Ibyant.  writes: — "1  found  it  an  exceediiiiily  ditlicult 
matter  to  satisfy  myself  as  to  a  fair  general  average  number  of  cows  to 
each  inill  mi  the  idokery:  but.  after  protracted  study.  I  think  it  will  bo 
nearly  correct  when  1  assigiitoeaciMiialeageiier.il  ratio  of  from  lilt<!en 
to  twenty  females  at  the  staticms  nearest  the  water,  and  from  lliero 
back  in  order  IVom  that  line  to  the  rear  from  live  to  twel\e.'\j  i\l,  (iieb- 
nitsky,  Superintciideiit  of  the  ("ommaiider  Islands,  as  tlie  result  of  his 
]U'olonged  experience,  states  that  the  projiortion  of  one  adult  male  to 
tiMi  temales  should  not,  as  a  rule,  be  overpassed.  i«ritl  tliat  one  to  twiiiity 
maybe  considered  as  a  maximum  limit.  ('ai>tain  IWair,  long  familiar 
with  the  fur-seals  of  the  Asiatic  coast,  informed  us,  in  s|)eaking  of 
liobbeu  island,  that  tiie  number  of  males  now  existing  there,  viz.,  one 


tLntt 


Mon(>.Uia|in  of  Nordi  Anitniian  I'innijicds,"  p.  M!W  vt  mq. 


•I'  antmn-  dn  Mon 


tnnio  i,  ]>.  L'fil. 


tM()no;;rai)li  of  NDitli  Anniican  I'iniiiiPiidH/'pp.  :W5,  3'JO, 
^  Uuited  btatua  Ceuuuu  Kepurt,  p.  3l>. 


86 


REPORT    or    imiTISH    COM\fI.SSIONI<:RS. 


iuliilt  iiialo  to  1  we  Illy  live  IciiimU's,  whs  far  ton  siiiiill.  LicntcMiatit  May- 
iianl,  ajiiiiii,  says:  "TIm;  bulls  arc  |»oly,uaiiioiis,  liaviiifr  'loin  live  to 
twciily  cows  cacli;  so  tliat  tlio  imiiibcr  of  tliem  upon  the  rookeries  is 
not  iiioic  tliaii  oiic-tciilli  of  tliat  ol'  the  cows.* 

l'!>4.  It  may  llins  l)evory  safely  Jissiiincd  that  the  ratio  of  virile  males 
of  full  a.ue,  cannot  he  allowed  to  exceed  the  i)ro])ortion  of  one  to  twenty, 
without  serious  dan^^er  of  harm  to  the  hrecdin^'  rookeries,  and  the 
certainty  of  jirave  irrcffularities  on  them;  and  it  is  necessary  to  bear 
this  i'aet  in  mind  in  endeavourinj?  to  apitreciate  the  nieaninj>"  of  the 
])resent  (condition  of  the  rookeries  of  the  Tribyloff  Islands,  Avher(%  as 
elsewheie  pointed  out,  these  conditions  have,  for  a  number  of  years, 
uot  been  realized. 

(CI.) — Coition. 

295.  An  erroneous  statement  conoerning  the  manner  of  life  of  the 
fur-seal,  Avhieh  has  important  bearinjjs  in  various  ways,  but  which  has 
naturally  aiisen  and  has  been  as  naturally  maintained  in  consequence 
of  the  too  exclusive,  attention  paid  by  most  writers  on  this  subject  to 
the  breeding  islands,  is  that  tin;  fecundation  of  the  female  is,  and  (!au 
oidy  be,  acconii)lishe(l  on  shore.  Bryant  has,  however,  distinctly  stated 
tliat  copulation  very  often  occurs  in  the  water,  and  in  the  description 
of  seal  life])repare(l  by  him  for  i'rofessor  Allen,  he  adds:  "When  there 
was  a  full  supply  of  bi'eediii.i4  males  (;opulatioii  occurred  mainly  on  the 
breediiifi'  grounds,  the  half  bulls  (or  reserves)  participating  to  only  a 
limited  extent,  and  was  rarely  seen  to  occur  in  the  water.  Since  3874, 
owing  to  the  decrease  in  the  number  of  breeding  males,  a  much  larger 
])ro])ortion  of  the  females  receive  the  males  in  the  water,  so  thaton  any 
still  <lay  alter  the  I'Otii  'luly,  by  taking  a  canoe  and  going  a  little  off 
shore,  considerable  numbers  maybe  seen  ])aii'ing  ami  readily aj)])roached 
80  near  as  to  be  fully  observed.!  In  another  jdace  the  same 
53  gentleman  is  even  more  ])i'ecise,  writing:  "Owing  to  the  i)Ositioii 
of  the  genital  organs,  howi-ver,  coition  on  land  seems  not  to  be 
the  natural  metiind,  and  only  rarely — jierhaps  in  three  eases  out  of  ten — 
is  the  atteiii]>t  to  coi»ulate  nnder  such  circumstances  ellectual.''  Mr. 
AV.  11.  Dall,  again,  in  a  nianiiscrijit  note  su])])lied  to  Pi'ofessor  Allen, 
says:  "They  [the  females]  sleep  in  the  water  lying  on  their  sides,  with 
the  two  nippers  [of  the  ujiiier  side]  out  of  the  Avater,  and  receive  the 
niak;  in  the  same  i)osition."| 

2W).  Special  inquiries  made  by  us  on  this  particular  subject  have  fully 
conliiined  Ihyant's  original  statements,  the  evidence  obtained  including 
that  of  lour  or  live  gentleiiien  who  have  had  long  exjierience  M'ith  the 
Pribylolfaiid  ('ominander  Islands,  and  several  intelligent  and  observ- 
ant hunters  who  have  been  engaged  in  sealing  at  sea. 

21>7.  The  ]»articular  importance  attaching  to  this  sul.Ject  depends  on 
the  circumstance  that  the  ])ossibility  of  eoiinection  being  accomi»lislied 
at  sea,  and  the  greater  freiiuency  of  this  habit  (;aused  by  the  dearth  of 
adult  males  on  the  rookeries,  eiialdes  us  to  exi)Iain  in  great  measure 
the  irregiilaiity,  which  has  in  late  yeais  much  increased,  of  the  date  of 
birth  of  the  young.  It  shows,  in  fact,  that  the  time  of  impregnation  of 
the  female  is  not  necesswrily  comjirised  within  the  jieriod  during  which 
she  seeks  the  shore  for  the  pur]»ose  of  giving  birth  to  the  young. 

"  Maynard'H  Keport,  Ex.  Doc.  Ko.  '115,  -1  llli  t'onurcss,  list  SoHsioii,  p.  3.  This  jxissaijje 
is  incorrectly  ((tioU'd  1)y  I'^lliott,  in  liis  ('(^jisii.s  Ivcimit.  wliore  Aliiynard  is  niiulo  to 
state  that  till)  seals  liavc  <  acli  from  twenty  to  li/ty  cows. 

t  Senate,  V.s.  Doc.  .No.  liL',  list  Confrres.s,  L'n»l  Scssiou,  p.  5,  "Mouograpli  of  NortL- 
Anici'ic  an  finnijieds,"'  ])j).  HSS  405, 

t  "Bull.  Mus.  Conii).  Zool./'  vol.  i,  Parti,  p.  100, 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


87 


Mny- 
va  to 
■ies  is 

males 
•euty, 
(1  the 
)  bear 
)f  tlie 
•re,  as 
yeais, 


of  tlie 

iC.h  has 

(puMice 

>iect  to 

"lid  cau 

'  stated 

•rii)tiou 

■11  there 

r  oil  the 

»  only  a 

ce  1874, 

h  larger 

ton  any 

little  off 

roaclu'd 
e  same 
)Osition 
,t  to  be 

of  ten— 
1."    Mr. 

»i-  Allen, 
OS,  with 
eive  the 

ave  fully 
iidnding 
Avith  the 
observ- 

Lends  on 
Ljplished 
leartli  of 
1  measure 
le  date  of 
]irati(m  of 
Inu; 


whieh 


Ilia  i)ass<a<j;o 
|h   iiiiulo  to 

of  Nortli- 


(FT.) — Age  at  which  the  Young  Swim. — Xiimher  of  Young  at  a  Birth. 

'J9S.  It  lias  already  been  noted,  that  evidence  such  as  (o  show  that 
the  young  can  swim  for  a  time  at  or  immediately  after  hiitli,  has  been 
obtained  from  a  number  of  sources,  tiioiigh  it  is,  at  the  same  time,  im- 
probable tiiat  under  any  circumstances  tlie  young  is  at  lirst  lifted  to 
maintain  its  existence  for  any  length  of  time  in  tht^  open  sea.  This  is, 
however,  not  a  matter  of  any  great  importance,  for  it  is  evidently  the 
tiormal  method  for  the  young  to  remain  for  some  weeks  ashore  before 
venturing  even  to  enter  the  sea. 

2U!>.  It,  nevertheless,  api»ears  to  be  quite  jiossible  that,  under  excep- 
tional (;ircumstances,  the  female  might  succeed  in  rearing  her  young 
while  only  occasionally  resorting  to  the  ImkI  and  while  moving  from 
place  to  place.  There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  fur  seal  is  less 
adaptable  in  this  resi»ect  than  the  hair  seals,  and  of  one  of  the  latter 
(Ftoca  rituiina)  i'rofessor  Allen  ({notes  .Mr.  -lohn  Oardeaux  to  the  fol- 
lowing elfect:  "The  female  has  one  young  in  the  year;  and,  as  these 
banks  |ni)on  which  they  breed]  are  covered  at  Hood,  the  cub,  when  born, 
must  make  an  early  ac(iuaiiitance  with  tlu^  water."*  One  of  theautlnu'S 
of  this  Report  has,  moreover,  seen  the  same  species  (ITtli  of , June,  187S) 
in  the  southern  part  of  theQueen  Charlotte  Islands,  l)re(Mlingupon  tidal 
rocks,  from  which,  when  alarmed,  the  mothers  took  to  the  sea,  ea(!h  car- 
rying her  young  upon  her  back,  the  heads  of  the  mother  and  young  seal 
coming  to  the  siirlace  simultaneously  at  ea(;h  rise.  IJiion  Indian 
authority,  the  same  habit  has  been,  as  elsewhere  noted,  observed  in 
the  case  (»i'  iiie  fur-seal. 

.'?()().  The  date  at  which  the  young  normally  begin  to  swim  has,  how- 
ever, like  many  others,  been  given  an  altogether  undue  lixity  ami  pre- 
cision. Thus  Elliott  states  that  by  the  8tli  or  l(»tli  August  the  i)U[)S 
born  nearestto  the  water  lirst  begin  to  learn  to  swim;t  and  iUyant  gives 
tlieliOtliAngust  as  the  date  at  which  they  lirst  take  to  the  water;  |  while 
as  early  as  the  28th  July,  in  18!)1,  great  numbers  of  [mps  were  actually 
observed  by  us  to  be  swimming  along  the  edgesof  the  rookery  grounds 
and  climbing  in  and  out  over  the  rocks,  and  this  in  spite  of  the  fact 
that  it  is  acknowledged  that  the  seals  now  arrive  at  the  islands  at  dates 
later  than  they  did  in  former  y<'ars.  On  the  14tli  September  two  piiits 
were  even  seen  swimming  and  alone  at  distances  of  40  and  70  miles 
respectively  to  the  westward  of  the  L'ribylotf  Islands. 

301.  As  a  rule,  but  a  single  imi»  is  produced  at  a  birth,  and,  though 
this  rule  is  not  without  exceptions,  it  may  be  used  in  any  estimates  of 
the  natural  rate  of  increase  of  the  seals.  JMaynard  admits  that  occa- 
sional cases  of  twins  have  been  recogni/.ed  on  the  I'riliylolf  Islands, 
notwithstanding  the  diHicnlty  of  arriving  at  (certainty  as  to  such  a  mat- 
ter under  th(>  circumstances  which  there  obtain.  The  Ilaidas  and  the 
Tshimsians  state  that  they  have  fre(iue!itly  found  two  unborn  pups  in 
a  female  seal  when  killed,  though  a  single  jiup  is  much  more  common. 
Chief  I'idensaw,  many  years  ago,  saw  a  female  in  the  act  of  giving 
birth  on  Kose  Spit,  (^ueen  Charlotte  Islands;  one  jiup  had  been  born, 
and  when  he  killed  the  mother  he  found  another  still  unborn. 

301!.  It  is  per]>ai>s  further  worth  noting,  in  this  connection, 

54        that  those  most  familiar  with  the  closely  allied  fur-seal  of  the 

South  African  Coast  state  that,  as  a  rule,  two  pup.s  are  produced 

*  "  Moiiofjraph  of  North  Aiiiericiui  Pinnipods,"  p.  591. 
t  Uuitcd  States  Census  Iteport,  pp.  40,  42. 
f'Mouograph  of  North  Ameiicau  Piuuipedg,"  p.  387. 


h 


88 


REPORT    OF    HRITI;  II    COMMISSIONKRS. 


at  a  birth;  wliilo  on  tlie  Anstrali:iii  coast  it  is  said  that  thefeniale  yoii- 
erally  brings  fortli  a  sinjil(^  laip,  sometimes  two.* 

(I.) — Distancen  to  which  Seals  <jo  from  the  lirrt'duKj  Ishuuls  in  search  of 

Food,  and  Times  of  Fecdiny. 

303.  The  feediiifj  liabits  of  tlie  seals,  and  the  distances  to  which  seals 
eufiaged  in  brecdinj;  on  the  islands  may  be  sui»i»ost'd  to  go  for  food,  as 
well  as  the  period  of  the  breeding  season  at  which  excursions  in  search 
of  food  begin  to  be  niiide,  are  imi)ortant  because  of  their  directt  bearing 
on  the  limits  of  juotection  vvhich  might  ai)proi)riately  be  accorded 
about  the  ishuids  at  the  breeding  season. 

304.  The  full-grown  bulls,  or  beachmasters,  holding  stations  on  the 
lookery  grounds,  umloubtedly,  in  the  majority  of  cases — if  not  inva- 
riably— remain  on  duty  throughout  tlu^  breeding  season  and  to  the 
close  of  the  rutting  i)eriod  without  seeking  food.  The  young  again, 
born  in  any  i)articu!ar  season,  are  not  weaned,  or  not  fully  weaned, nor 
do  they,  un(ler  normal  circumstances,  leave  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  shores  till  the  time  of  their  tinal  (lei)arture. 

305.  it  is  thus  only  the  classes  of  bachelor  and  female  seals  that  can, 
under  any  circumstances,  be  found  leaving  the  islands  in  search  of  food 
during  tlie  huediiig  season.  Of  the  b'niales,  the  yearlings  associate 
with  the  i)aeiieI(U's,  Some  of  the  Iwoyear olds  may  seek  the  vicinity 
of  tlu^  rookery-grounds  for  the  ])urposeof  meeting  the  males,  bnt  ]>rob- 
ably  they  do  not  long  remain  there,  while  it  is  believed  that  most  of 
them  are  covered  at  sea.  Harren  females,  again,  whether  without 
young  from  age,  I'roiu  an  insul'liciency  of  males,  or  inetlicient  servu-e, 
are  not  in  any  way  ])ermanently  attached  to  the  islands  at  this  time. 

3(1(1.  The  remaining — and,  at  the  time  in  (juestiou,  most  imiiortant — 
class  is  that  of  the  breeding  females.  These,  some  time  after  the  birth 
of  the  young  and  the  subse(iuent  copulation  with  the  nmle,  begin  to 
leave  the  lookery-ground  and  seek  the  water.  This  they  are  able  to  do 
beeanse  ot'  the  lessened  interest  of  the  beachmasters  in  them,  aiul  more 
])artieularly  after  nuiny  of  the  beachmasters  themselves  begin  to  leave 
their  stands.  Thus,  by  about  the  middle  of  August,  ])robably  only 
one  half  of  the  females,  or  even  less,  are  to  be  seen  at  any  one  time  on 
the  rookeries.  Snegilolf,  the  native  foreman  in  ehavgeof  the  rookeries 
on  ]>ehring  Island,  exi)ressed  the  opinion  that  the  females  first  leave 
tiieii'  young  and  begin  to  fre(inent  the  water  about  a  month  after  the 
l)irtii  of  the  young.  Ibyant  says  about  six  weeks, t  Other  authorities 
are  less  deliiiite  on  this  point,  bnt,  according  to  observations  nnide  by 
ourselves,  the  motheis  and  young  were  jtresent  on  the  Tribyloff  rook- 
eries in  ai)proximately  etpuil  numbers  in  the  last  daysof  July,  while,  on 
the  same  rookeiies,  in  the  third  week  of  August,  the  young  largely  out- 
numbered the  mothers  present  at  any  one  time,  and,  in  so  far  as  could 
be  ascertained  by  observation,  the  females  were  disporting  themselves 
in  the  sea  off  the  fronts  of  the  rookeries. 

307.  It  is  very  generally  assumed  that  the  feumle,  on  thus  beginning 
to  leave  the  rookery-ground,  at  once  lesumes  her  habit  of  engaging  in 
the  active  (]uest  for  food,  and  though  this  would  appear  to  be  only 
nariiral.  i)ai  ticuhirly  in  view  of  the  extra  drain  ])roduced  by  thedenninds 
of  the  young,  it  must  be  remembered  that,  with  scarcely  any  exception, 
the  stomachs  of  even  the  bachelor  seals  killed  upon  the  islands  are  found 

*  "Prodioiiius  of  the  Zoology  of  Victoria,"  by  Sir  F.  McCoy,  F.  R.  S,,  Doctulo 
VIII,  p.  9. 

t  iSeuutti,  Ex,  Due.  Xo.  32,  4l8t  Congress,  2ud  Scssiou,  p,  6. 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


89 


t  can, 

f   f()(Ul 

ociate 

cinity 

l»rob- 

lost  t»r 

itliout 
TV  ice, 
ime. 
till  it — 
jiitli 
n  to 
to  do 
iiioio 
eiive 
only 
le  on 
cerics 
leave 
the 
Dvities 
de  by 
vook- 
ile,  on 
y  out- 
could 
selves 

uuiiig 
I}.-  iu 
ouly 
nands 
iptiou, 
llbuud 


LU' 


L)ci;ado 


void  of  (bod,  and  that  all  seals  rcsoitin-  to  the  islands  seoni,  in  a  {?reat 
decree,  to  siiare  in  a  coninion  abstinence.  While,  tiieielbie,  \i  may  be 
^  e(»iisidered  certain  that  alter  a  certain  period,  the  leniales  beyiu  to  seek 

such  food  as  (;an  be  ol)tained,  the  abseiiee  of  excreuientitious  matter  ou 
«  tlie  rookery  };rouiuls,  elsewhere  relerred  to,  shows  that  this  cannot  occur 

H  till  towai'ds  the  close  of  the  breedinji'  season.     It  may,  further,  be  stated, 

tiiat  there  is  a  very  general  belief  among  the  natives,  both  on  the  Priby- 
lotf  and  Conninuuier  Islands,  to  the  ellect  that  the  females  do  not  leave 
the  land  to  feed  while  en^^aued  in  su(;klin«;  their  younj;,  aiul  that  neither 
of  th(^  two  fenuiles  killed  in  our  jnesence  for  natural  history  purposes 
on  IW'lii'infj'  Island,  on  the  ntii  Septend)er,  had  any  trace  of  food  in  the 
stomach,  tiionjili  killed  within  a  few  yards  of  the  rookery  from  which 
they  had  Just  been  driven.  Alsobearin<;  on  tiie  same  point  is  the  state- 
nuMit  made  in  a  memorandum  received  from  Her  Majesty's  ^^iniste^  at 
Tokio,  based  on  information  obtained  from  a  j-entleman  fully  conver- 
sant with  the  habits  and  haunts  of  the?  fur-seal  of  the  western  side  of 
the  North  I'acilic,  as  tbllows:  'vltis  sonuitinuis  stated  that  the 
55  breedinj;'  cows  are  in  th(^  liabit  of  leavin;;'  the  rookeries  to  fish  for 
the  support  of  their  younj;-,  but  the  exi)erienced  authority  on 
whose  remarks  these  notes  are  founded  is  not  of  this  oi»iniou.  He  has 
never  found  food  iiisidt^  the  female  fur-seal  taken  on  the  breeding 
gi'onnds."     (8e(^  further  under  Food  i)ara<ira])h  224,  et  seq.) 

.'{08.  It  appears  tons  to  be  (piite  i)rol)al)le,  however,  that  toward  the 
close  of  the  season  of  suckling,  the  female  seals  may  actually  begin  to 
spend  a  considerable  i>ort ion  of  tlieii'  time  at  sea  in  search  of  foocl.  It 
is  nidikely  that  this  occurs  to  any  notable  extent  till  after  the  middle  of 
September,  belbrc  which  the  season  of  ])elagic  sealing  in  Behring  Sea 
])ractieally  closes.  It  is  not  as  if  the  mere  i)resence  of  seals  in  any 
l»arricular  ])art  of  liehiing  Sea  during  the  ])eiiod  in  question  could  be 
taken  as  representing  that  of  females  from  the  breeding  rookeries,  for, 
as  already  stated,  other  classes  of  seals  remain  thus  at  large;  during  the 
greater  part,  or  even  the  whole,  of  the  breeding  season,  and  it  is  gener- 
ally very  dilUcult  even  lor  the  most  experienced  eye  under  favourable 
circumstances  to  distinguish  at  sea  between  such  unattacdied  seals  and 
breeding  feiindes.  Several  of  the  statenuMits  as  to  the  feeding  resorts 
of  breeding  females  from  the  islands  liave  undoubtedly  been  founded 
on  the  mere  presence  of  seals  of  some  kind  at  sea.  In  fact,  most  of  the 
previously  jjublished  statenu'iits  on  this  point  have  been  based  either 
exclusively  on  information  gained  on  the  breeding  islands,  and,  there- 
fore, not  to  the  point,  or  on  such  information,  loosely  conduned  with 
notes  on  the  position  of  seals  casually  observed  at  sea.  It  is  unfortu- 
nate that  the  prohibition  of  pelagic  sealing  in  Behring  Sea  in  1891 
rendered  it  impossible  in  this  ])aiticular  year  to  gather  nmch  actual 
experience  in  this  matter,  sucli  as  might  have  been  obtained  by  exam- 
ining the  condition  and  sex  of  seals  killed  at  various  known  distances 
from  the  islands. 

The  statements  collected  fnmi  other  sources  are  often  singularly  diver- 
gent; but,  notwithstaiuling  the  evident  lack  of  infornuition  on  thisjjar- 
ticular  i)oint,  a  remarkable  agreement  is  found  among  those  interested 
in  decrying  ])elagic  sealing,  to  the  effect  that  the  pelagic  scalers  do,  and 
must,  kill  a  large  number  of  female  breeding  seals.  In  order,  however, 
to  show  the  present  state  of  this  question,  and  the  actual  basis  of  many 
and  serious  com])laints  against  sea  sealing,  a  few  quotations  from  various 
authorities  on  seal  life  may  tirst  be  given,  and  after  that  some  uotes  on 
the  further  evidence  obtained  by  ourselves. 


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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY    14580 

(716)  873-4503 


ij      Wi    ^      ///I, 
■         ^iej         /M-t 


Ua 


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uo 


REPORT    or-    nRlTlSH    COMMISSIONERS. 


309.  Bryant,  after  <lpsrril»iii{j  the  rcliixntioii  in  watclifulnosa  of  tlio 
male  after  in))>rc^nation  lias  Im'oii  arcoinplislicd,  says  of  tlie  fenialr: 
"From  that  time  she  lies  either  sleepiny-  near  her  yoiiiin-,  or  spends  her 
time  either y/oa<t«f/  or  playituj  in  the  water  near  the  Hhorv,  retnrniiiff  oeca- 
sionally  to  snekle  her  imp."* 

Elliott  writes  in  a  similar  strain  of  the  same  period.  The  females, 
he  says,  "  lie  idly  out  in  the  rollrrs,  ever  and  anon  turning  over 
and  over,  scratching:  their  hacks  and  sides  with  their  hind  rti|)pers."t 
Elsewhere  he  states  that  the  mother,  he  thinks,  nnrses  her  ])np  every 
two  or  three  days,  but  adds,  "In  this  I  am  very  likely  mistaken.''^ 
Aju^ain,  he  speaks  of  a  mother  cominjir  up  from  the  sea,  "where  she  has 
been  to  wash  and  pcrhapa  to  fee<l  for  the  last  day  <»r  f  wo."^  In  another 
reference,  he  says:  "Soon  after  the  birth  of  their  young  they  leave  it 
on  the  jjround  and  fjo  to  the  sea  for  food,  returning  perhaps  to-morrow, 
perhaps  later,  even  not  for  several  days  in  fact,  to  afrain  suckle  and 
nourish  it,  having  in  the  meantime  sped  far  off  to  distant  fee<ling 
banks,"  iS:c.|| 

.'{10.  In  the  Report  on  the  Fur-seal  Fisheries  of  Alaska  (l.S8!)),1|  Mr. 
W.  li.  Taylor  states  that  the  cows  go  out  every  day  for  food  to  a  tlistaiice 
of  10  or  1. "5  miles,  or  even  further. 

Mr.  T.  P.  liyan  states  that  the  "main  feeding  grounds  of  the  seal 
during  the  summer  stay  upon  the  islands,  and  to  which  the  cows  are 
continually  going  and  condng,  are  to  be  found  40  to  70  miles  south  of 
St.  (ieorge  Island." 

Mr.  G.  R.  Tingle,  in  the  same  l{ei)ort,  says  that  the  seals  probably  go 
20  miles  out  in  some  cases  in  search  of  food. 

311.  Such  are  the  more  definite  references  of  a  published  kind  which 
we  have  been  able  to  find  on  this  important  point  in  seal  life,  and  they 
are  sulticient  to  show  that  very  little  has  heretofore  been  known  on  the 
subject,  though  much  has  been  taken  for  granted. 

312.  The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  evidence  personally  obtained 
in  1891  from  those  supposed  to  be  most  capable  of  giving  an  oi>ini(m 
on  the  subject: 

Mr.  G.  R.  Tingle  stated  that  he  believed  seals  from  St.  George  went 
to  feed,  for  the  most  part,  about  .30  to  40  miles  to  the  southward  or 
south-eastward  of  that  island.     From  St.  I'aul  he  was  not  aware  that 

they  went  in  any  particular  direction. 
56  Mr.  J.  0.  Redpath  did  not  know  of  any  special  place  or  places 

to  which  the  seals  go  \•^  food,  but  believed  that  the  females  go 
from  10  to  15  miles  from  tlie  islands  for  that  puipose. 

Mr.  U.  Webster  thinks  tiiat  seals  go  from  St.  George  Island,  when 
feeding  in  the  autunni,  about  (10  miles  soutli ward;  he  believes  that  there 
is  a  favourite  feeding  ground  in  this  vicinity,  because  he  has  seen 
numerous  seals  there  wlien  on  his  way  from  the  islands  to  Ounalaska. 

Mr.  Fowler  stated  that  he  believed  there  was  a  favourite  feeding 
ground  of  the  seals  about  30  miles  ott"  north  east  point  of  St.  Taul 
Island.  This  was  not  from  personal  knowledge,  but  (lepended  on  state- 
ments that  seals  had  been  seen  in  abundance  there. 

Natives  of  St.  Paul  informed  us  that  the  females  from  the  rookeries 
went  only  3  or  4  miles  to  sea  to  iced,  always  returning  to  their  young 

*  "  Mouograj)!!  of  North  American  I'innipods,"  p.  386. 
tibid.,  p.  3(il. 

t  United  StatcH  Census  Report,  p.  38. 
^Iliid.,p.39. 
!|Il)id.,p.  35. 

il  HoiiHe  of  UepretieutativoH,  Report  No.  3Ss;t,  50tb  Congress,  2nd  Session.  TLe 
i(a/tc8  in  tbe  above-cited  puHMiiges  aie  our  own. 


RKl'OUT    OF    MKI'IISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


91 


if  tlio 

[k  her 
;  occa- 

over 
»ers."t 
every 
ken."$ 
he  has 
iiothcr 
I'live  it 
lorrow, 
le  and 
'eediiif; 

istaiice 

he  seal 
ows  are 
louth  <>t 

>ably  go 

(I  which 
,iul  they 
n  on  tlie 

(btained 
opinion 

[{je  went 
ward  or 
are  that 

Lr  i)laces 
liales  {JO 

jd,  when 
jilt  tliere 
i»i\s  seen 
Inahiska. 
feediiifj 
it.  I'aid 
hn  state- 

lookeriea 
lr  young 


lion.    Tbe 


on  shore  tlie  smnc  day.  Wlii-n  (|uestin]HMi  ms  to  the  classes  of  seals 
seen  I'Mithfr  out.  :is,  tor  instiinrr.  midway  lietween  St.  Paul  an<l  Ht. 
(ieor^l'e  Islands,  they  staltti  tiiat  ail  kiiitls  of  seals  might  be  found 
there,  but  added  a;,'aiii  that  tlie  I'eniales  usually  do  not  go  far  from  the 
roi>keries. 

Mr.  N.drelmitsky,  Superiiitendeiitof  tlie  t'omtnandei  Ishuuls, stated, 
as  the  result  of  his  own  personal  observation  and  long  experienee,  that 
the  females  went  out  to  sea  while  sntkling  the  young,  but  not  further 
than  half  a  mile  or  a  mile  fmm  the  shore.  Most  of  the  natives,  ho 
added,  thought  that  the  females  did  not  feed  during  this  period,  but  in 
this  lie  believed  them  to  b(^  mistaken. 

M.  Tillman,  the  Agent  «)f  tin'  IJiisslan  (lovernment,  in  ehargeof  Cop- 
l)er  Island,  wliere  he  has  been  lor  two  years,  thinks  that  the  females  go 
as  mueh  as  2  to  I  miles  off  shore  to  teed,  but  return  to  the  rookeries 
cv  >ry  night. 

m!  Kliige,  vvho  has  been  for  twenty-one  years  in  the  serviee  of  the 
Alaska  ("otnmereial  ('omi»any  on  several  ditferent  islamls,  agreed  in 
this  ]ioint  with  M.  Tillman,  and  added  that  he  knows  from  <-loso  |)er- 
soital  observation,  which  he  was  altle  to  make  on  Uobben  Island,  that 
the  females  return  every  ii;j;lit,  as  stated. 

Siiegilotf,  the  native  foreman  on  liehiing  Island,  thinks,  on  the  con- 
tra ly.  that  the  females  may  leave  their  y(»ung  for  several  days,  and  may 
go  as  far  as  lU  miles  from  land  to  feed. 

.'>|.'>.  So  far  as  the  (arts  actually  ol)served  in  KSOl  go,  it  is  apparent 
that  there  is  always  a  consider  ible  i'"mber  of  seals  s\vin)ming,  playing, 
or  sleei»iiij;  at  sea  oi»]»osite  each  of  tt  »•  rookery  grounds,  and  that  these 
in  August  consist  largely  of  females,  while  in  !Septeml)er  great  num- 
bers of  pups  are  to  be  found  in  addition.  \Vlien  extensive  kel|)  beds 
exist  off  the  rookeries,  the  main  body  of  seals  is  <;en«'rally  set'U  inside 
the  kelp,  and  at  a  distance  ot  half  a-niile  or  so  Irom  shore  compara- 
tively few  seals  aic  seen:  while  at  two  or  three  miles  seaward  from  the 
rookery  there  is  no  notable  aluindance  of  seals,  and  if  sailing  rouiul 
the  breediii}^  islands  in  a  foi;.  at  a  distance  of  four  miles  from  the  shore, 
it  would  be  dillicnll  for  tli«>  chtsest  observer  (a|»art  from  other  indica- 
tituis)  to  decide  when  he  had  passed  abreast  of  a  rookery. 

.'iU.  It  is.  howtner,  certain,  from  statements  obtained,  that  females 
with  milk  are  occasionally  killed  at  seii  by  the  |>elagie  sealers,  and 
tlioujih  it  is  possible  that  these  ar«' mothers  whieli  have  deserted  the 
islands  in  eonse,|iien<'e  of  having  been  driven  up  to  the  killing  grounds 
with  the  holliischickie,  or  because  of  sonx'  other  cause  of  disturbance, 
such  as  the  death  of  their  younji,  it  is  hiuhly  ]u-<d)able  that  in  the  later 
Slimmer  and  autumn  the  distance  to  which  the  fenniles  go  from  the 
bleeding  phu'es  becomes  ;;radually  increased.  It  is,  nevertheless, 
scarcely  credible  that,  under  any  circumstances,  the  fenniles  engaged 
in  feeding  their  yoiiiifjcan  iiavi<;ate  to  great  distances  from  the  islands 
on  erratic  courses,  and  subse<|uently  return  piiiietually  and  witlumt 
fail  to  their  rookeries;  and  any  assumption  made  on  this  basis  must  be 
i'ej;;trded  as  reiiiiiiin^i  proof  of  a  character  very  ililfeient  to  that  so  far 
advanced  by  Uiose  Indding  such  a  belief. 

.51."*.  It  may  be  aihh'd  hen',  as  tin-  result  of  personal  observations  as 
well  as  of  tlKKse  already  itiiblished,  that  the  seals  tend  to  leave  the 
rookeries  ami  hauling  grounds  lor  the  sea  in  large  numbers  when 
incommoded  on  shore  by  \oo  jjreat  heat  or  by  heavy  rain,  and,  further, 
that  after  stormy  weather,  characterized  by  heavy  wind  and  surf,  there 
is  generally  uu  iucrea»ed  and  marked  exodus  lium  the  shore. 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


310.  Siiijiiilaiiy  enoiij;li,  tin'  };r<'!ifost  diversity  <»f  opinion  wafi  foniul 
to  prtsvsiil,  evcin  auionjf  tlioscwlioougiit  to  t»e  best  iiifoniuMl  on  this  sub- 
ject, as  to  whether  the  seals  leave  the  land  lor  I'eedinj;'  or  other  purposes 
most  commonly  by  day  or  by  nijjht.  This  dillerence  of  opinion  obtained 
not  only  amon^  the  Whites,  but  also  amon^  th<^  natives,  and  it  is  found 
both  in  the  Pribyloff  and  Coiniuaiuler  Islands.  Konie  maintain  that 
the  female  seal  returns  to  shore  every  nijilit,  others  that  most  of  them 
leave  the  shore  at  this  time,  and,  takinp;  all  opinions  into  consideration, 
the  only  conclusion  that  «'an  be  arrived  at  is  that  the  seals  jjo  and  come 

at  all  times.  Certainly,  there  is  no  particular  ])erio<l  of  rest  upon 
57        the  rookeries  tlM'mselv«'s  during'  the  l)reedin}'-  season,  for  they  are 

as  noisy  duriny  the  ni<j;ht  as  by  day.  .Fu<l^in}i'  from  ol>servations 
iniide  while  at  anchor  near  the  rookery  jjiounds  of  St.  I'aul  and  St. 
Georpfe,  it  would  appear  that  the  seals  are  more  abundant  in  the  water 
during  the  nij,'ht,  when  they  often  surrounded  the  vessel  in  {rreat  num- 
bers. On  these  occasions  they  seldom  seemed  to  be  travellin;--  in  any 
I)articular  dii-ectiou,  but  i)layed  about,  coming  up  first  on  one  side  of 
the  vessel  and  then  on  the  other,  and  appeared  to  be  more  wary  and 
easily  frightened  than  during  the  day. 

(J.) — lIuhitH  when  SiirlcVng. 

317.  When  the  female  seals  begin  to  absent  themselves  at  frecpient 
intervals  from  the  rookery  grouujls  and  from  their  young,  as  already 
descril)ed,  the  young  begin  to  travel  about  in  all  directions  from  the 
actual  spot  of  their  birth.  Most  of  them  collect  in  large  groups,  or 
"l>ods,"  sonu'times  near  the  edge  of  the  sea  and  sometimes  at  adis 
tance  from  it,  while  solitary  pups  are  to  be  found  roving  or  sleej)iiig 
everywhere.  It  has  been  stated,  and  the  statement  has  been  received 
without  question,  that  throughout  the  entire  season,  and  even  under 
the  circumstances  above  described,  the  female  is  invariably  able  to 
single  out,  and  will  suckle  ouly,  hei-  own  young.  Analogy  with  most 
other  animals  appears  to  favour  this  view,  and  probably  accounts  for 
the  fact,  that  it  has  been  accept»'d  without  juoof,  wliich.,  iiisltcd.  as 
neither  the  iiulividual  mothers  nor  the  individual  y(»ung  can  be  <'<)n- 
tinuously  recognized  on  the  rookeries,  would  be  very  hard  to  obtain. 

.'tlH.  The  analogy  Just  referred  to  may  (»r  may  not  hold  in  the  ease  of 
the  fur-seal,  which  is  in  many  n'spects  very  peculiar  in  its  habits.  The 
young  of  most  other  animals,  if  left  at  any  time  by  the  dam,  renmins 
where  left,  and  it  is  very  seldom  necessary  for  the  mother  to  select  iier 
own  progeny  from  a  vast  crowd  of  others.  Again,  even  assuming  that 
she  be  ca|)al>le  of  thus  singling  out  her  own  y(»ung  one,  il",  as  is  com- 
jnonly  supposed,  she  remains  for  the  greater  ]»art  of  the  day,  or,  accord- 
ing to  some  autlntrities,  for  several  days,  in  the  sea,  she  must  very  often 
wholly  fail  tolind  her  young,  which  may  have  in  the  meantinu^  wandered 
off  to  ail  entiri'ly  dilVerent  i)art  of  the  ro()kery.  Under  these  ciicnm- 
stances,  the  female  would  continue  to  be  unquiet  till  she  got  rid  of  her 
milk,  and  must  indeed  be  possessed  of  great  fortitude  il"  she  refuses  to 
l>art  with  it  to  any  of  the  thousands  of  other  young  seals  about  her. 
The  dil1i<'ulty  of  finding  the  young  nuist,  of  coarse,  be  vastly  increased 
in  cases  in  which  the  mother  has  given  birth  to  tw(>  jiups,  oiu'  of  which 
may  have  wandered  in  one  direction,  another  elsewhere. 

31!>.  The  idea  that  the  female  will  suckle  the  i»up  she  has  brought 
forth  only,  appears  to  have  been  started  by  the  natives,  but,  so  far  as 
can  be  ascertained,  is  first  advanced  by  liryant,  who  writes:  "On  land- 
ing, the  mother  calls  out  to  her  young  with  a  plaintive  bleat  like  that 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


93 


u\f  tliat 
[is  com- 
laci'ovd- 
jv  often 

•ivcniu- 

(»f  lu'V 

I'llSt'S  to 

lilt  her. 
Icn'iised 
1  wbicli 

|)rou{;ht 
li>  far  iis 
)n  laiul- 
Ike  that 


of  a  slio(>])  ralliiiff  to  Iter  lamb.  As  she  approaches  the  mass  (of  yonnjj) 
seveial  of  tlie  .vouii<r  oiios  iiiiswer  and  start  to  meet  her,  respondinff  to 
her  eall  as  a  youii};  himb  aiiswers  its  jiareiit.  As  she  meets  them  she 
looks  at  tJuMu  andj)asses  hurriedly  on  till  she  meets  her  own,  which  she 
at  once  recoj^nizes.'"* 

.SL'O.  Elliott  has  adopted  this  theory,  and  amplifies  it,  writing: — "The 
mother,  witliout  first  eiiterin};  into  tlie  (irowd  of  thousands,  recojjnizes 
the  voice  of  her  oJVspriii};,  and  then  advances,  striking  out  right  and 
left,  toward  the  position  from  which  it  replies."  Klsewliere  in  this  con- 
ne<'tion  he  speaks  of  the  mother  cryinj;  out  for  its  youn^an<l  recogrniziu}; 
the  indivi«liiiil  reply,  "thoufjli  ten  thousand  around,  alt  toj^ether,  should 
blaat  [sic'l  "t  once."  On  a  later  ]>af;e,  he  ayain  says:  "1  have  witnessed 
so  many  examples  of  the  femah's  turinny:  pups  away  to  suckle  only 
some  ]»articular  other  one,  that  1  feel  sure  I  am  entirely  rifjht  in  saying 
that  the  seal  mothers  know  their  own  younjj,  and  that  they  will  not 
])crmit  any  otheis  to  nurse  save  their  own.  I  believe  that  this  recog- 
niti<ni  of  iliem  is  »lue  chiefly  to  the  mother's  scent  and  hearing."t 

321.  It  is  not  intended  t5  criticize  these  statements,  which,  in  so  far 
as  they  relate  to  observed  facts,  can  be  certified  to;  bnt  it  is  necessary 
to  jxfint  ont  that  they  constitute  the  entire  body  of  proof  in  the  nnitter 
in  tjuestion,  and  that  the  intluence  drawn  from  tluMn  nuist  bo  charac- 
terized as  "  not  proven."  The  y<mnj;  themselves  certainly  do  not  know 
their  own  mothers,  and  the  statement  that  the  mother  knows  her  indi- 
vi«lnal  youn;:  seems  to  be  placed  in  <loubt,  and  is  certainly  not  to  be 
assumed  meiely  from  analojry  with  other  aninnils  which  show  a  dejjree 
of  alVection  for  their  youu};,  because  of  the  observation  which  nuvy  be 
made  any  day  on  the  rookeries,  that  the  female  fur-seal  is  entirely  care- 
less respectiufj  her  ollspriiifj. 
58  322.  As  .Mr.  Elliott  is  chiefly  responsible  for  the  theory  here 

si)ecially  referred  to,  it  is  oidy  fair,  however,  that  he  should  be 
heai'd  also  on  the  last  nientioned  jwint.  On  this  he  says:  "  The  apathy 
with  which  the  younjr  are  treated  bytheohl  upon  the  breeding;  {^rounds, 
espt'ciany  by  the  mothers,  was  very  slraiifje  to  me,  ai"l  1  was  con- 
stantly surjM'ised  at  it.  1  have  never  seen  a  seal-mother  caress  or  foiulle 
her  olisprin;;-;  and  slnmld  it  stray  to  a  short  distance  from  the  harem  I 
could  step  to  and  pick  it  up,  and  even  kill  it  before^  the  motlu'r's  eye, 
witlmut  causiiiji'  her  the  sli<>htest  concern,  so  far  as  all  outward  sij^ns 
and  manifestalions  would  indicate."^ 

32.J.  The  whole  theory  in  fact,  when  examined,  rests  on  the  circum- 
stance that  when  a  female  seal  is  se«'n  to  come  ashore,  she  will  not  take 
the  first  y(>unj;;'  one  she  meets,  bnt  perhajis  by  sound,  perhaps  by  scent, 
selects  one  which  sIh'  allows  to  feed,  it  ai)pears,  therefore,  to  be  at 
least  unite  possiiile,  that  in  thus  makin;;'  her  selection  she  may  merely 
seek  a  young  one  whi(h  does  not  carry  the  smell  of  fresh  milk  ab(mt 
it.  The  }j;re};arious  habits  of  the  fur  seal,  with  the  difficulties  inherent 
in  the  matter  of  the  reunion  of  mother  and  young  under  the  peculiar 
cirrumstaiices  obtaining  on  the  rookeries,  appear  tit  show  that  it  w<»uld 
tic  advantageous  toseal  life  as  a  whole  if  any  mother  would  su<'kle  any 
hungry  juip. 

321.  It  may  be  added,  that  in  a  report  received  from  Mr.  V,.  II.  Jack- 
s(»ii,  (iuvernment  Agent  in  charge  of  the  Seal  and  (iuano  Islands  of 
Cape  Colony,  he  states,  respecting  the  fur  seals  inhabiting  these  islaiuls 
(after  speaking  of  the  killing  of  females),  that  "but  for  a  happy  pro. 

•Asiiuotod  liy  Allt'ii,  "  Mond^r.iiili  of  Norrli  Ainoriciiu  Pinnipeds,"  p.  387. 
t  1  nilcd  SiMtcN  Ci'iisiis  K'eporl,  jtp.  .'lit  auil  Hi2, 
t  t  iiitfd  Stales  Census  Kopoii,  p.  'S)<, 


M 


94 


UKI'OUT    OF    niMTlSir    COMMISSIONERS. 


vision  of  ntifiirf,  Mln'ivby  ii  ('KMiiiilc  sciil  will  suckh'  iiny  younp  one,  tlio 
(icstnictioii  of  tlu'  newborn  svMs  would  bt'cuiiiplcte;"  and,  ajrain,  says: 
''Tilt'  cow  will  sui-kic  any  of  flic  yonnj;  scsils,  wlicdicr  licr  own  or  nof, 
and  tliis  period  of  nnrsin;;  continues  more  or  jess  for  alioiit  six  niontlis." 

The  same  statement  is  made  with  respec^t  to  the  liirseal  of  the  Aus- 
tralian <'oast.» 

li'S).  The  analofxy  of  other  animals  has  so  frequently  been  cited  in 
this  connection  tliat  it  may  be  in  point  to  (juote  from  an  interesting 
niein'Mandum  furnished  by  Sir  Samuel  Wilson,  M.  P.,  the  eminent  Aus- 
tralian sheep-breed«-r.  lie  states  that  it  is  common  and  easy  to  nnik<i 
ewes  suckle  other  ewes' hnnbs,  either  by  ](ultin<r  the  skin  of  the  dead 
]and»  over  the  new  laiid>,  (»r  by  foldinjj;  to.^ctlier,  in  hurdles,  the  strange 
Iand>  and  the  ewe.  When  the  herd  is  valualde.  all  ewes  are  mothered 
to  lambs  which  have  none  of  iheir  own,  and  the  same  is  done  in  thecax^ 
of  twins.  ICwes  recojiiiize  their  own  land)s  by  siim'II.  Somelimesa  lamb, 
not  her  own,  mjiy  conu'  up  on  the  other  side  while  slu*  is  suckling  lier 
own  !and>,  and  may,  unnoticed  by  her,  suck  her  for  a  tiiiu'.  There  are, 
moreover,  lambs  which  j;<>  altout  in  this  way,  and  man:i<;e  to  live  by 
what  they  can  steal.  This  Australian  experience  is  fully  borne  out  by 
genoral  experience. 

(K.) — yatural  (Jaiiscs  of  Destruction. 

313(5.  In  coniu'ction  with  the  {general  aspectsof  seal  life,  and  theeffects 
ii])on  it  of  commercial  killiufr.  it  is  nt'ct'ssary  to  rcmcndier  that  it  is 
1ar;;ely  ruled  by  certain  natural  events,  or  phenomena,  and  that,  as  in 
th(>  case  of  nearly  all  animals  in  a  state  of  nature,  but  a  linnted  propor- 
tion of  the  whole  iMunbcr  of  youn;;'  produced  ever  attain  either  to  a 
'•  killable"  ajic,  or  to  one  of  maturity.  Thus,  in  killin^i  a  larjic  number 
of  s(>als  annually,  a  (halt  is  made  r.|ton  a  niai'uin  of  seal  life  which  has 
cscai)ed  all  the  otlM'r  necessarily  «'nviroiiin^  dan^iers,  and  which  veiy 
often  must  be  rej-arded  as  a  natural  ie.<erve  in  j)i()ccss  of  beinji'  slowly 
built  up  in  the  int«'rvals  between  irregular  and  exceptional  inroads 
which  may  at  any  time  occtii',  and  over  which  man  »'\ercises  n<>  possible 
control. 

."Jl'T.  Thus,  on  the  I'ribyloll"  Islands,  one  particidar  instance  has  been 
recoided,  when,  in  conse(|uen('eof  the  lonu  persistence  of  Held  ice  about 
the  islands,  the  seals  were  very  j^rcally  dei)leted.  This  occurred  in  IS;{(i, 
when,  accordinji'  to  native  count,  the  nundier  of  adult  seals  on  St.  Taul 
Island  was  reduced  to  about  4,(K»n.  and  the  },n'eat«'r  part  of  the  small 
nund)er  of  seals  killed  in  that  year  consistccl  of  pups.  Other,  thou;;h 
less  disastrous  instances,  of  the  same  kind  have  oc(i\rred  since,  and  a 
study  of  available  inforniati(ni  respectinu  the  amount  aiid  position  of  the 
ice  in  l{ehrin«j  Sea  in  various  years  shows  that  such  adverse  conditituis 
may  recur  in  any  year,  though  probably  seldom  with  tlu^  sameinf  -nsity 
as  in  1S.'{(>, 

."{L'S.  A{;ain,  larj^e  nunibers  of  pu])s  are  often  killed  before  leavinj;- 
the  ishwuls  by  heavy  storms  occuninji'  bi-lore  they  aii'  able  to  swim 
stronj-ly,  and  in  consetpu'nce  of  which  they  are  dashed  af^ainst  the 
rocks  or  njion  the  beach.  Unfortuiuitely,  notliiii}''  like  a  <'omi)lete 
record  has  been  kei)t  of  siu'h  occurrences,  but  Bryant,  Maynai'd,  and 
lOlliott,  in  their  iniblished  Ueports,  all  refer,  at  ^neater  ov  less 
00  leiijLtth,  to  them.  One  notable  oase  of  this  particular  kiiul 
occurreil  in  October  l.S7(i,t  and  Mr.  D.  Webster  iidbrmed  us  that 


•  "rrodrdiiniB  of  tlio  /.o(il(»>j;v  of  Vii'toriii,"  by  ^r  1'.  McCoy,  F.  K.  tj.,  Decade 
VIII,  i>.  10. 
t  ".Mdiioyiaiili  of  North  AiiiiTittiu  l'iniiim'(ls,"  p.  J'J7. 


RRPOKT    OF    BRITISIf    COMMISSIONKKS. 


95 


,  tho 

m 

ays: 

1 

ii(»t. 

■ 

Uis." 

■1 

Aurt- 

1 

'i\  in 

1 

stiiifl 

1 

Aus 

3 

nmUr 

9 

(U'sul 

1 

liiii};*' 

1 

lU'ITtl 

t 

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% 

lainb, 

% 

jj;  lu'V 

•('  aiv, 

ivt'  l)y 

>ut  by 

OII('«' 


ii)  tl 


M'    S» 


eflccts 
Jit  it  is 
t,  as  in 

HT   to   il 

ich  liiis 

•h  very 

slowly 

iiiroa«ls 

MtssibU' 

las  bi'<Mi 
•V,  about 
ill  is;i(», 
it.  raiil 
small 
tUoiij;U 
■,  ami  Ji 

ilMlt'tllO 

lulitions 
lit  -iisity 

iloavin;: 
to  swim 
Inst   IIhi 
LmpU'tt'i 
|u(l,  aiul 
or  U'^s 
lar   kind 
us  that 

L  Doctvile 


vt'iitics''  as  early  as  .Inly,  In'  had  s«'«'n  tin?  b«»a<'ln's  at 
North  Mast  roiiil  "struii};  with  dead  pups,"  alter  ti  heavy  storiu. 
More  or  lt'\v«'r  piiits  are,  mi  Jiiet,  apparently  killed  in  this  way  every 
year. 

;Jli!».  On  Kobbeii  Islaml,  very  eonsiderable  nniubi'rs  of  younj;  pups 
are  killed  by  bur;;omaster  fjulls  i  Lanifi  (/laucus),  wliieh  pick  out  their 
ey«'s.  This  is  so  well  known  that  a  rewanl  of  5  copecks  {Ikd.)  is  jjiven 
for  ea«h  ol  th«'se  jiiills  killeil.  This  jiull  is  rather  scarce  on  the  (Jom- 
niaiuler  Islands,  but  tln^  natives  there  have  noticed  cases  of  pupsbeiuf? 
killed  in  tiie  saiiH'  way.  They  arecoiiiiuon  about  tin  I'ribylolV  IslandH, 
and  are  freipuMitly  seen  on  the  rookeries,  but  no  uik^.  there  appears  to 
have  »>bserve(!  them  attacking;'  yoiin^  seals. 

6'M).  The  most  generally  recognized  dan^jer  to  the  pups,  of  a  con- 
stant kiml,  while  they  are  still  u|iou  the  islands,  is  that  resulting  fnun 
the  adult  Imlls  or  sea«'atcliie  on  the  rook«'ries.  These,  when  ti;,ditin{;, 
«>r  otherwise  ex<ile<l  or  disturbed,  pay  not  the  slightest  attention  to 
the  youii;i  in  their  vi«'inity,  and  overrun  them  without  (jompunction  in 
such  a  manner  as  lie<pieiitly  to  causes  their  death.  I'.lliott  doubts 
whether  more  than  i  per  c»'iit.  of  the  whole  nnniber  of  youiifj  in  each 
year  is  destroyed  in  this  way,  but  everyone  who  has  paid  the  Hli},dite8t 
attention  to  the  economy  of  the  rookeries  is  familiar  with  the  freipient 
occurrence  of  such  deaths. 

;>;{1.  In  his  Ifeport  uptui  the  c<»ndition  of  affairs  in  Alaska  (187r>),  the 
same  writer  speaks  of  the  jiresence  on  the  rookeries  of  "decayiiijj  car- 
casses of  old  seals  and  the  many  jiiips  which  have  been  killed  accident- 
ally by  the  old  bulls  while  tiKlitinji  with  and  char;;injj  Inutk  and  forth 
ajiiiinst  one  another."*  In  the  Census  lieport  substantially  the  same 
l)assa}ie  is,  however,  paraphrased  by  the  writer,  with  the  substituti<m 
of  "few  pups"  for  "many  iuips."f 

Trofessor  Allan  may  also  be  citeil  in  this  connection,  thouj;h  he  spe- 
cially refers  to  alarms  of  a  kind  which  can  scarcely  be  strictly  classed 
under  natural  causes  of  destnictidii.  lie  writes:  "Constant  care  is 
als»»  neci'ssary  lest  thouffhtless  persons  incautiously  approach  the  bleed- 
ing jjrouiHls,  as  the  stampede  of  the  seals  which  would  result  therefrom 
always  destroys  many  of  the  youn{;."{ 

'M'2.  WluMi  a  sudden  alarm  causes  a  panic  among  the  seals  on  a 
rookery,  and  they  make  in  conse(|uencea  rush  in  closely-huddled  masses 
for  the  water,  very  considerable  numbers  of  pups  may  at  any  time  be 
killed.  It  is  very  easy  in  this  way  to  "stampede"  even  the  bree<lin{f 
seals,  and  the  neca'ssity  ot  preventiiifjsuch  stampedes  is  one  of  the  main 
reasons  for  preserving;-  the  vicinity  of  the  rookeries  from  all  intrusion 
and  disturbance.  As  already  noted,  the  seals  are  alarmed  particularly 
by  smell,  and  duriuif  the  sumiiu'r  of  IJSJM  a  jianic;  was  caused  on  the 
lieef  Kooki'iy  of  St.  I'aul  Island  by  the  drifting  over  it  of  the  smoke 
from  a  steamer  which  was  entering?  the  an(!hora;;e  tliere. 

XVA.  Nordenskiiild  refers  ]iarticularly  to  this  matter  in  his  account 
of  the  fur-seals  of  Beliriii};  Island,  wiitiii}'': 

riuj  .voiiiif;  oiit's  arc  ol'tiii  sinotlicrcd  by  the  old  wImti  tlic  liiltcr,  friKhioiii'<l  in  some 
way,  rush  mit  into  tln^  Hea.  After  sucli  an  alarm  liiindirdM  of  <l<>ad  pups  aro  found 
on  tin-  Hliore.  ^ 

•VM.  Killer  whales  (Orca  rrc/Z/x/uj^r)  are  among  the  moreactiveenemies 
of  the  fur-seal.    Mr.  J).  VV^ebster,  who,  because  of  his  long  experience  on 

•  l'an«  1  lit.    Sec  also  "  Monotfraidi  of  North  Aniericun  I'innipodH,"  p.  370. 

tl'uitrd  Slates  CciiMis  K'tport.  \>.  IL'. 

t  "  Hull.  Mu8.  (  oiM)!.  /..H.I.,"  vol.  ii..  Part  1,  p.  !I7. 

J  ♦'  Voyayc  of  tho  •  \  t;;.!,"'  traiishttjon  l»y  l-e.ilie,  vol.  ii,  p.  21K). 


^Oi 


96 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


the  Pribylott"  iHlaiuls,  has  already  been  fre(|ii<'iitly  quoted,  states  that 
these  whales  usually  come  to  the  islands  from  the  north  early  in  Sep- 
tember, and  stay  about  them  as  long  as  the  seals  do.*  They  kill  many 
seals,  partieularl. '  pups,  and  wantonly  kill,  api)arently  in  sport,  many 
more  than  they  actually  devour,  ('aptain  Lavender,  in  his  Report  for 
1890,  mentions  the  occurrence  of  large  schools  of  killer  whales  in  pursuit 
of  young  seals  about  tlie  islands  on  the  3()th  October  in  that  year,t 
and  LieutensMitMaynard  mentions  a  case  in  which  a  single  killer  whale 
was  found  to  have  fourteen  young  seals  in  its  stomach,  f  The  Aleuts 
at  Ouualaska  further  stated  that  they  have  often  seen  killer  whales  pur- 
suing and  catching  fur-seals,  not  alone  the  young,  but  also  the  adults. 

SHr).  In  the  vicinity  of  the  Comnuinder  Islands  killer  whales  also 
occur,  but  they  do  not  appear  to  be  so  numerous  as  about  the  Pribyloff 
Islands,  and  their  ravages  have  not  been  complained  of  in  the  same 

way. 
60  330.  As  the  killer  whale  frequents  not  only  the  summer  haunts 

of  the  fur-seal,  but  its  whole  migration-range  and  winter  habitat, 
it  is  priH  tically  certain  that  the  seals  are  exjjosed  to  their  attacks  at  all 
times,  except  when  actually  ashore  on  the  breeding  islands.  It  is, 
moreover,  supposed,  and  doubtless  correctly  so,  that  the  larger  sharks 
to  be  found  in  the  same  waters  prey  upon  the  young  seals  to  a  consider- 
able extent. 

337.  In  consequence  of  these  and  perhaps  other  enemies,  and  of  vari- 
ous accidents,  and  irrespective  of  jiossible  epidemic  disease,  (he  number 
of  the  young  seals  born  is  greatly  reduced  before  they  i-eturn  as  year- 
lings in  the  following  year;  and  it  is  still  further  continuously  reduiied, 
tluftigh  in  a  diminishing  proportion,  in  subsequent  years.  On  this  sub- 
ject Bryant  writes  as  foHows : 

During  the  time  the  young  seals  are  absent  from  the  islands,  fully  fiO  por  cent,  of 
their  iiuiiiher  are  desiroyed  by  their  eufuiitis  before  they  arrive  at  the  aj;e  of  one 
year,  and  during  the  second  year  about  15  \tvr  cent,  more  aie  lost,  i.ater  they  ai)pe!U' 
to  be  Itotter  able  to  protect  theniHelves,  but  before  tliey  arrive  at  inatnrity,  at  least 
10  per  cent,  more  arc  destroyed.  ISo  that  if  left  entirely  to  themselves,  only  10  or  15 
per  cent,  of  the  annual  product  would  mature  or  reach  the  age  of  seven  years. ^ 

On  the  same  subject  Elliott  writes,  speaking  particularly  of  the  males: 

By  these  agencies,  during  tiieir  absence  from  the  islands  until  their  reai)pearanco 
ill  the  following  year  and  in  .July,  they  are  so  percejitibly  diininislicd  in  number, 
that  I  do  not  think,  fairly  considered,  more  than  one-half  of  the  legion  which  left 
the  ground  of  their  birth  last  October  came  uj>  the  ne.xt  July  to  thcHc  favourite 
landiiig-plaeeB;  tiiat  is,  only  2.")0,000  of  them  return  out  of  the  500,000  bom  last  year. 
The  same  statement,  in  every  respect,  ajiplies  to  the  going  and  coming  of  the  500,000 
female  pups,  which  are  identical  in  sixe,  shape,  and  lichaviour.  || 

33H.  Neither  of  these  statements  claim  any  great  ])recision,  and  it 
would  be  impracticable  to  make  them  precise.  Bryant's  may  be  taken, 
however,  as  showing  a  more  careful  consideration  of  the  facts,  and 
according  to  his  estimates,  in  the  ca.s*;  of  100,000  pu])S,  but  40,000  would 
i-eturn  in  the  second  year  and  34,000  in  the  third  year,  while  about 
30,000  would  reach  ntatuiity. 

331>.  It  can  scaiuely  be  doubted  that  the  fur-seal  of  the  Xorth  Pacific 
is  also  subject  to  diseases  of  various  kinds,  the  i)revalence  or  otherwise 
of  which  have  their  eftects  on  the  numbers  at  ea(!h  jtarticular  ])eriod. 
Inquiries  made  on  the  subject  have,  however,  not  brought  to  light  any 

"See  also  Bryant  in  "Monograph  of  North  American  Pinnipeds,"  p.  407. 
t  Senate,  Ex.  Doc.  No.  40,  51st  Congress,  2nd  Session,  p.     . 
t  House  of  Representatives,  Ex.  Doc.  No.  4H,  44th  Congress,  1st  Session,  p.  6, 
$  "  Monograph  of  North  American  Pinnipeds,"  p.  407;  see  also  House  of  Ropreaent- 
atives,  Ex.  Doc.  No.  HX,  lltli  (^ougress,  Ist  Session,  p.  C5. 
II  lliiited  States  Census  l{c[iort,  p.  63. 


I 


of 


foi 

am 

t;il 

of 

tie 


UF.pouT  OF  nRrrr>:ii  commissionkus. 


97 


that 

Sop- 
many 
many 
)rt  for 
ursuit 
year,t 
whalo 
A-leuts 
es  pu' ■ 
[vdults. 
>a  also 
ibyloff 
B  same 

haunts 
labitat, 
C8  at  all 
It  is, 
•  sharks 
onsuler- 

[  of  vari- 
,  number 
as  year- 
red  miert, 
this  sub- 

«>r  cent,  of 
[vjre  of  one 

:\',  ill  li'iist 
,iy  10  or  lu 

lie  males: 

lipjieiirain'o 
u  niiinl>ei'. 
wliicli  l*'ft 
.  ijivoiivito 
11  lust  yciir. 
the  500,000 

>ii,  and  it 
jbe  taken, 
facts,  and 
fc)00  would 
liile  about 

th  racitu 
lotherwise 
|av  i)eriod. 
light  any 

Represent - 


Ti<>tal)l(^ mortality  wliicli  has ])oen  attributed  to  discasc.nor  do  previously 
pnblishcd  reports  include  any  mention  ol'  sncii  mortality.  It  may  tiius 
at  least  i)«^  inlerre<l,  tliat  no  notably  fatal  disease  has  attacked  tliesti 
animals  while  upon  th(>ir  breedino;  islands  within  liistorie  tiiiu'S,  but  it 
is  not  safe  to  allirm  that  disease  has  l»een  wantinjir,  or  that  epidemic 
<liseases  may  ii<)t,  at  any  )^iv«'n  time.  ap|M-jir,  and  i('(|uire  to  be  allowed 
for  in  any  re;;ulations  made  resiiectiiif-'  the  killiiiji-  of  seals. 

340.  In  tlu'  liep«»rtof  Mr.  (.'.  il.  .Iacks(»n  on  the  fur  seal  islands  of 
('ap(^  Colony,  already  leferred  to,  he  writes:  "I'pon  several  islan<ls, 
(specially  in  the  Ishabar  group,  arti  to  be  fonml  the  remains  of  vast 
numbers  Of  'seal,'  probably  the  ellects  of  an  epidemic  disease  at  some 
distant  period."' 

:'Al.  On  the  same  sid>ject  and  referring  to  the  same  region,  Mr.  II.  A. 
Clark  writes  as  follows,  quoting  ".Morell's  NOyages":  '*  In  ISL'SCaptain 
Morell,  in  the  schooner  '  Antaictie,'  visited  the  west  coast  of  Alri<ra  on 
a  fur  seal  voyage.  At  INtsst'ssion  Island,  in  latitude  L*(»'  '>]'  south,  ho 
IouikI  ovid»'nce  of  a  pestilence  among  the  fur  seals.  The  whole  islaiul, 
which  is  alioiit  '.i  miles  long,  he  states,  was  cove.'cd  with  the  can-asses 
of  fur  seals,  with  their  skins  still  on  them.  They  appeared  to  have 
been  dead  about  live  years,  and  it  was  evi<lent  that  they  had  all  inet 
their  fate  about  the  same  period.  I  slnudd  Judge,  from  the  immens«» 
midtitude  of  bones  and  carcasses,  that  not  les.s  than  halt  a  million  had 
peiished  here  at  once,  and  that  they  had  fallen  victims  to  stune  myste- 
rious disease  or  plague."  Aixait  17  miles  noith  of  Possession  Island 
are  two  small  islan<ls  n<»t  over  a  mile  in  length,  where  Captain  Morell 
foun<l  still  further  evidence  of  a  plague  among  the  fur-seals.  "These 
two  islands,"  he  xays,  "hav<'oncc  been  the  resort  of  immense  nund)ers 
of  fur-seals,  which  were  d<uibth'ss  tlestroye<l  by  the  same  plagium  which 
made  such  a  devastation  among  them  on  Tossession  Island,  as  their 
remains  exhibited  the  same  appearance  in  both  cases."* 

:\\'2.  Elliott,  alter  stating  that  he  has  observed  no  disease  among  the 
seals  of  the  I'ribylolf  Islands,  quotes  a  recorded  instance  of  a  plague 
adecting  the  hair  seals  of  the  north  of  Scotland,  Orkney  and 
(Jl  Shetland  Islands,  a  l  adds:  ''It  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  the  I'ribylolf  rookeries  have  iu>ver  sulVered  from  distempers 
in  thc!  past,  or  are  not  to  in  the  future,  simply  because  no  occasion  s<'ems 
to  have  arisen  during  the  c()mi)aratively  brief  period  of  their  hunuiu 
domination."! 

Mo.  The  fur-seals  upon  the  I'ribylolf  Islaiuls  are,  however,  afllieted 
by  at  least  one  known  trouble,  that  of  intestinal  worms,  and  in  the 
stomachs  of  nearly  every  seal  killed  a  certain  number,  and  often  a  very 
ct)n,siderable  number.,  of  such  worms  are  found.  This  cannot  of  course 
be  (;oiisidered  as  constituting  in  itself  a  very  serious  alfection,  but  if 
under  any  ])articular  train  of  circumstances  it  should  be  considerably 
increased,  it  alone  might  become  a  danger  to  the  continued  well-being 
of  the  seals. 

(L.) — MortalUii  of  j/ofinn  Seals  in  isnt. 

31-1.  In  the  season  of  18t)l,  considerabh'  inunbers  of  <lend  ])ups  were 
found  in  certain  i)laces  upon  the  rookery  groumls  or  in  tlu'ir  viciiuty, 
and  various  hypotheses  were  advanced  to  account  Ibr  this  unusual  mor- 
tality. As  some  of  these  have  special  beaiingson  the  general  question 
of  seal  preservation,  it  amy  be  well  to  devote  a  few  words  to  this  par- 
ticular subject. 

*  "  Fislicry  Iiidiisti  icH  of  tlm  I'liifcil  Stiites,"  vol.  ii,  p.  410. 
t  l'iiitet4  .^^talcs  Census  liuimrt,  p.  ()2. 

B  S,  I'T  VI 7 


r 


9S 


KKI'DliT    nl'    IJlMTIsn    roM.MISSIoNKRS. 


m't.   Ill  (tnlcr  t(i  »>\liil>it  the  riiriiriistaiiccs  siii  r(iiiinliii.<r  tliis  i'urt  ninl 
tn  ;ini\ »'  ;il  ii  |ii»)l>;il)|('  f\  |iliili;il  ion  (»l  its  line  iiMMiiiii;;.  it  will  lir  iicci's 
siiry  ill  iIm' lii'Nt  iMsriiiic*' to  ;;ivr  in  siiiiiiii;iri/«'<l  luriii  f lio  nhscrvatiors 
iiiiil  notes  iM'jirinn  n|»oii  it  iiimiIc  on  the  ;;roniir|  l)y  oiir-flxcs. 

."{Hi,  W  licn  visitiii;;-  'lol^toi  l.'o<»lv<Ty,  St.  I';ii"il  Island,  on  tlic  l.".MIi 
-Inly,  we  oliscivtd  ami  «'allt'(l  attention  to  several  iiiimlied  dead  pups 
vliicli  lay  seatteied  adoiii  in  a  liiiiited  area,  on  a  siiiootli  slope  near  tlie 
lioi'tliei'ii  oi  inland  end  ol  tlie  rookery  ground,  and  at  some  little  ijistam-e 
IVoni  file  slioie.  'riie  hodie-;  weie  partly  deeomposed.  and  ajipeared 
to  liave  lain  where  loiimi  lor  a  week  or  more,  which  Would  place  the 
a<-tiiiil  date  ol'  the  death  ol'  tli<'  pups,  say,  Itetweeii  the  Ifttli  aii<l  -Oth 
finly.  Neither  the  <io\  eminent  .Ayentwho  was  with  its.  tH»r  the  natives 
I'oriiiiiij;' our  Woafs  crew  at  the  time,  would  at  (ir.-t  believe  that  the 
ol)jeets  seen  on  the  mokery  were  dead  pii|»s,  ariirniiii;;  that  they  were 
.stones:  hilt  when  it  became  rieaily  apparent  that  this  was  not  the  ease, 
tliey  eoiild  siiiri;est  as  causes  of  deal  li  oni,\  ovei-riiiinin^'  by  bulls  or  suit 
nloii^i'  the  shore,  neither  one  of  wlii<'li  appeared  to  iis  at  the  time  to  l>e 
satisfactory.  .Mr.  I).  W'elister,  iiiteironated  on  the  subject  some  tlays 
later  on  St.  (leoiuj'  Island,  olfered  iiierel\  the  same  sii;;.inestions.  but  a 
i'rw  days  still  later,  both  Wliites  antl  natives  on  the  islands  were  found 
to  have  de\el(i|ied  ijiiite  other  opinions,  and  lo  be  icady  to  atti  ibiite  the 
deaths  to  the  operations  of  pela;iic  scalers  killiiij;  iiiotheis  while  oil  at 
sea,  and  leading  to  thetleathof  pups  Iroiii  starvation  coiisei|uent  on 
such  killing'. 

.'U7.  |{eli«'viii,n  the  malter  to  be  one  of  <M»iisiderabIe  importance,  how- 
ever it  niiulit  be  explaiiu'd,  ])articiilar  attention  was  |)aid  to  it  on  sub- 
secpient  \isi(s  to  lookeries.  On  theoist  .liily  and  the  Isl  Aii;;iist  tin? 
rookerii'sof  St.  ( Icor;;*'  were  iiis|(ected.  but  no  similai'  appearances  were 
t'«>und.  nor  wasaiiylhiiiji  of  the  same  kind  a;;aiii  seen  till  the  Itli  Aiiiiiist, 
on  Polavina  rookery.  St.  Paid  Island,  where,  near  the  southern  cxtrein- 
ity  of  the  rookery,  seNcral  hundred  <Icad  pups  were  a,i;aii:  found  by  us, 
liere  also  coveriiiji  an  area  of  limited  >i/c.  which  we  were  able  to  exam- 
ine earefiilly  wit  ImhiI  di--liiibiii^  the  biecdiii};' seals.  It  was  «'stiiiiated 
tliiit  tlu'  piijis  here  found  had  die<l  between  ten  <hiys  and  two  weeks 
before,  which  would  place  the  actual  date  of  death  at  alioiil  the  .same 
time  with  that  <d'  those  lirsl  referred  to. 

.'Mv.  On  the  following  day  the  extensive  rookeries  of  North-Kast 
Toiiit  were  visited  and  cxai  lined,  but  \ cry  few  dead  juips  were  any- 
where seen.  .Mr.  I'owlei'.  in  charjic  of  the.sc  ritokeries  for  tlie  ('omjiany, 
was  sp«'cially  »|iiestioiied  oil  this  |)oiiit.  and  fully  conllrmed  the  iii'jia- 
tive  obs'  vat  ions  made  by  ourselves  at  the  time.  It  may  lier<'  be  men- 
tioned that  the  \iciiiily  of  North- llast  Point  lia<l  been  the  piincipal  iind 
only  notable  locality  from  which,  up  to  this  date,  .scalinji'  vessels  had 
been  si<>lit«'d  in  the  ollinj;.  or  had  been  reported  as  shoot  iiij;'  seals  within 
lieariiiji'  (d'  the  shore. 

.■>4'.t.  On  the  llMh  .\uuust.  alter  a  cruize  to  the  northward  of  about 
a  fortnii^ht's  diiiatimi.  we  returned  to  St.  Paul,  and  <ui  the  same  day 
revisited  Tolstoi  Pookerv.  On  this  occasion  the  dead  \n\])S  previously 
noted  v.ere  still  to  be  seen,  but  the  bodies  were  llatleued  out  and  ukuc 
or  less  covercil  with  sand,  by  the  coniiiiiious  movement  oi  the  liviiii'' 
.•"cals.  There  were,  however,  on  and  near  llie  same  plate,  and  particu- 
larly near  the  aii;4le  between  Tolstoi  Pookeryand  the  sands  of  Pnj^lish 
Hay,  many  more  dead  pups,  larj^er  in  si/e  than  those  Hist  noted, 
(52  suid  scarcely  distiiii;iiisliable  in  this  respect  from  the  livinji'  ]uij)s 
which  were  then  "podded  out"'  in  j^reat  numbers  in  the  immedi 
ate  neiyhbourhood.     .Messrs.  I'owler  and  .Murray,  who  accompanied  us 


St 


KI'.I'OIM'    OF    ItRiriSlI    COMMISSI*  (NKRS, 


99 


and 

cces- 
ti<»i  s 

•J<»(li 
imps 
11-  tli«' 
taiift' 

<•  thti 
'J«Mh 
iitivcs 
It  tlif 
,•  wvvv 

>  «';«sc. 
>v  surl' 
;»  to  '•«' 
e  «la.VH 
.  hilt  a 

>  I'ouikI 
iito  tlif 

.  oil    ilt 

lent  t>n 

•V,  1\<>\V- 

on  sub- 
iiist  tho 

•CS  \V«'H' 

\iii;iist, 
«'\trt'in- 
1  Ity  us, 
(>  t'saiii- 
tiinatt'd 
|o  weeks 
ic  saiiu" 

•th-Kast 
■  re  aiiy- 
|)ini»aiiy, 
lie  iiejra- 
il»e  iiieii- 
|il»al  aiul 
;els  had 
Is  within 

Lf  about 
liiiic  «lay 
K'viously 
liid  uHue 
|u'  livinii;' 
liaitii'U- 
I'.n^lish 
1st  noted, 
lino-  im])S 
iiiiinedi- 
Laiiicd  US 


on  this  oeeasioii.  admitted  the  mortality  to  he  local,  ami  tlie  liist- 
named  {jeiith'iiiaii  stated  that  in  his  huiu  evpei  ieiiee  he  had  nevei'  sei'U 
aiiytliiii;^'  of  tlie  i<iiid  Iwloie.  and  sim^csted  tiial  tlie  niuthiTs  tVom  tiiis 
special  lurality  miulit  iia\c  ;i<nie  lo  some  paitinihir  ••feediii;;  iiaiik." 
aii<l  iiave  tliere  lieeii  kiMed  to;iellier  i»y  sea  seah'is,  <  Ml  tlie  siime  day 
we  visited  the  l.'eel"  INxtkeiy  ajiain.  and  a  seiiich  was  iimde  tliere  for 
dead  pups,  wliieli  resulted  in  the  disi  .ixery  of  some  of  ai»pio\imiit«dy 
the  same  >i/ewith  those  last  mentioned,  hut  piolmhly  not  more  than 
an  ei;^htli,  and  eertaitily  not  more  than  (>ne  t'oiirth,  in  i.iimher  as  com 
paied  with  the  inner  end  of  the  Tolstoi  IJookeiy  yroiiiKl,  and  juopor- 
tioiiately  in  liotli  eases  to  the  niinilier  of  livinu  pups. 

.'{")(».  \\  hih'  making  a  third  iiispeetiou  of  the  St.  I':iiil  rookeries  in 
Sept<Miiher,  on  the  I'ltli  of  that  niontli,  the  I'eel'  and  NortliMast  Point 
rottkeries  weij' a^aiii  specially  i'\amiiied.  'i'lie  iook«'r.\  ground  of  the 
south  eastern  si.ieof  the  Iteef  I'oint  was  ••arcl'iilly  inspected  rea  i»y 
area,  with  licld  ;;Iasses.  lr(Mii  (he  various  rocky  points  which  overlook  it, 
and  from  which  the  whole  liehl  is  visiltle  in  detail  save  certain  narrow 
stony  sIo|»cs  close  to  tlu'  se;i  ed;;e.  where  dead  pups  iniylit  have  iicen 
hidden  from  view  anion <i  the  liouldcrs.  Siihseipiently,  the  noitlr eastern 
slopiii},'  nfoiind.  named  ( loihuch  (Ui  the  plans,  '«<'iiii;  at  that  date  merely 
♦  icciipicd  hy  s(  att«'rcd  f^roups  of  seals,  was  walked  over.  The  result 
of  the  inspection  was  to  show  that  there  were  on  the  soiiih cjist  side  a 
few  dozen  dead  piijis  at  the  most  in  si;^lit,  while  on  llie  opposite  side 
peihaps  a  liumlied  in  all  were  found  in  the  area  puie  over,  heiiij;',  proit 
al»Iy.  tlui  same  with  those  seen  lieic  the  previous  month,  and  in  niimher 
or  contiunity  not  in  any  way  comparahle  with  those  seen  at  the  inner 
end  of  Tolstoi. 

.■$.")!.  Oil  the  same  day  a  linal  visit  was  made  to  the  North  l!ast  lN»i?it 
iitokcries,  then  in  chai'Lie  of  three  natives  only.  Two  of  tlic-e  men 
went  o\cr  the  jiromid  with  us.  and  were  qiiestioncil  on  various  sulijects, 
includiiij;'  that  of  dead  pups,  through  our  Ah  iit  iiitei  pretcr.  They 
would  not  admit  I  iiat  tiicy  had  seen  any  .uicat  iiumlicr  of  dead  pups  on 
the  N'oith-lvist  I'art  this  season.  :iml  did  not  seem  to  !)e  in  any  way 
impressed  with  the  idea  that  there  had  iiceii  any  iiiiiinial  nuulality 
tlicK.  TIk'  |t;round  t(»  the  iicith  of  lliilchinson  liill  was,  Ii<»wevei', 
carefully  examined  l»y  us  from  the  slopes  of  the  hill,  ami  a  few  dead 
pups  wer«r  made  out  there.  A;;aiii.  at  a  place  to  the  north  of  Sea  lion 
Neck  of  the  i)lans,  and  beyond  the  sand  beach  upon  which  holliischickie 
.generally  haul  out,  a  slow  advance  was  niad(>  ainoi';^  a  iai'^c  herd  of 
Icmales  and  pups,  though  i)art  of  fliese  were  necessiirily  driven  olf  the 
^i'round  in  so  doiiifi'.  An  occiiiiied  area  of  rookery  \\;is  thus  walked 
over,  and  the  dead  piijis  which  api»eared  at  tliis  sjiot  to  be  nniisiially 
aliiindant  were  counted  willi  apiiroxiniate  acciinicy.  A  very  i'rw  were 
loiind  scattered  oxer  the  general  surface,  but  on  appro;ieliinu-  the  shore 
cilye,  an  area  of  aiioiit  UD.tKIO  si|uare  feet  was  noted,  in  which  ai»oiit 
HIb  dead  juips  were  assembled.  Some  of  these  lay  within  reach  of  the. 
surf  at  hinli  tide.  Most  appeared  to  Imve  iieeii  (!(  ad  lor  at  h  ast  ten 
days,  and  several  were  hrokrii  up  and  maiiiLiIeil  liy  the  movement  of 
the  livinjj-  seals  on  and  about  liicm.  This  piirticiilar  locality  showed  a 
greater  number  of  dead  pups  to  area  than  any  oilier  seen  at  this  tiim^ 
either  (Ui  the  North- Mast  or  i»eef  nxtkeiies,  hut  in  number  in  no  respect 
comparable  to  that  i>reviously  noted  at  Tolstoi,  or  even  to  that  on  the 
south  part  of  I'ohiviiui. 

.'{.■)'_'.  We  were  informe<l  on  thisonr  last  visit  to  the  I'ribylotf  Islands, 
that  subse(pient  to  our  discovery  of  and  eoinmeiits  upon  the  dead  pups 
at  the  two  last  nieiitioiM'd  places,  the  attention  of  Mr. , I.  Stan  ley- Drown 


i 


100 


Ki.i'oirr  (tr  uimtism  ('ommfssiom.k'.s. 


(who  was  (Miiia^^t'il  iliii  iiii;  tin-  -uttiriitT  in  miikiiit;  a  spt-cial  oxaiiiination 
•  if  till'  loniici'it's  lor  lln>  rnifci!  Stairs  ( lovciiniii'iit )  was  callt'd  to  llir 
ciiTiiiiisiaiK-i'.  ami  t  lial  li*>  ic  dt'iluok  smiir  liiil  licr  cxaniiiial  ion  of  it.  of 
wliirli  tiic  rt'siijt  will,  no  tloiiht.  cn  t'litn  illy  Im-  ii'iitlni'il  availal)lc.  IM. 
Anand,  w  lio  liati  .jii>t  Ihtii  installtd  as  Medical  OirHcr  on  St.  Taiil, 
also  told  ns  that  h*-  had,  within  a  lew  tiays.  (>\anMn*Ml  the  Itodifs  of  six 
(d'  tlh-d(>ad  pups  IrnMi 'I'ohloi.  and  thai  lho)i;;li  i  al  Imt  loo  niin-li  di'coin- 
posj'd  Inr  conrct  aniopsy.  |i(>  liad  liccn  nnabit'  to  lind  any  si;ins  of 
dist'asc.  Imt  that  all  I  hose  «'\andin'(|  were  vt'iy  thin  n;id  wiihont  food 
in  the  sloniai'hs. 

;'>.*».■>.  Il  may  he  noted  here  that  the  ea'. -asses  fhns  exainlnod  must 
liav«'  lu'cn  tliose  of  pnps  wldeh  had  died  in  tlif  nionll.  ol  SeptenduT, 
or  when  no  sealing;'  sehooiiers  icmaiind  in  iii'luini;'  Sea. 

'.i'i\.  Tlu'  hoily  (»r  a  pup  loiiMd  hy  ns  on  ilie  Noilh  Mast  K'ookn'y  on 
the  .">lli  An^nst.  which  was  still  niMU'eompnsed.  was  |aes«'r\«'d  in  aleoliol, 
and  has  since  heen  sid)nullcd  lo  hr.  A.diiiil  hei',  !•'.  I{.  S.,  of  I  he  I'.iil  isli 
.Museum,  who  Uindly  olleicd  to  maUe  an  e\andnatioii  (»f  it.  This  is 
(pioled  a  I  len;:!  h  in  .\ppendi\  '  l>).  I'he  siomach  was  found  to  contain 
no  food.  The  l)(idy  was  w<'ll  nouiisheil.  with  a  fair  amount  of  fat  in 
the  sulicutaneous  tissue.  Imt  no  l;>t  al)oul  the  alidominal  or;;ans. 
03  Tiu!  Iuii;.:s  and  windpipe  were  loiMid  in  an  inllammalory  condi- 
tion, iiespeclin.u'  ihe  a<lual  <aii>e  ot  dialli,  I  M.  ( iiintiicr  says: 
"lloth  the  alisence  ol  fnod  as  well  as  the  cnndiiion  «>|  the  respirat(U'V 
(M'^ans  aie  sullii'ieni  lo  accouiil  for  1  lie  dealli  of  t lie  animal :  hut  winch 
ol  Ihe  two  was  the  piimaiN  cause,  piecedinn  I  la-  olhci  il  is  inipossihhi 
to  say.'' 

."•.Vi.  It  would  he  inai»propiiate  here  to  entei'  into  any  len;ithened  dis- 
cussion of  the  lieai  iiiL;s  (>{'  I  he  al>ove  facts  on  Ihe  methods  of  sealing'  at 
sea;  1ml  as.  allei  the  tentative  adoplioa  (d'  various  hypolheses,  the 
moitalily  of  Hie  yoimt;-  seals  \va  .  will)  a  lemaikalde  unanimity  atfiili- 
uted  to  pelagic  sealing' liy  the  L;t'iillenien  in  any  way  connected  witii  the 
lirceiliii^i-  islands,  and  as  il  lias  >iiice  heen  widely  and  eonsislenlly 
adveitiseii  in  the  picss  as  a  furlliei  and  stiiUini'-  pioof  of  the  desliiict 
ivi'uess  of  pelagic  sealiiijLi'.  il  ma>  lie  jteiiniss.  le  t(»  allude  to  a  few 
coiicnt  roaNuiis.  because  of  wliicli  ihe  suhject  st-eins  at  least  to  n'(|Uiru 
consideral  ion  of  a  miu'li  moie  cai'el'ul  and  seai'chin<:  kind: 

(I.)  'I'lu'<iealh  (»l  so  nuiny  ycamu'  seals  on  the  islands  in  ISIM  was 
wholly  e\cepi  ional  and  unprecedenli  d.and  it  occurred  in  the  very  season 
during  which,  in  arcoidance  w  ith  Ihe  iihxIiis  r/rr«f//.  every  clfoit  was 
heiii;;'  made  to  diive  all  ]»ela;ric  sealers  iVom  I'.ehrin^i'  Sea.  'I'hose  famil- 
ial'with  the  islands  were  evidently  i>u//,led  ami  siiritrised  when  their 
alteiition  was  jlrsl  diawii  to  it.  and  were  for  stmie  time  in  doulit  as  to 
what  «'ause  it  miiilit  he  all  riimtefl. 

(-.)  The  exphniation  al  leii.uih  very  unaniimiusiy  c(mciirred  in  l»y 
them,  viz..  thai  ihe  yoiini:'  Imd  died  because  their  iMotheis  had  been 
killed  at  sea.  rests  wholly  upon  tin-  assiimpi  ion  that  each  female  will 
suckle  (Uily  ilsown  youii;.;'  one,  an  assiiiiiplioii  which  appears  to  be  at 
least  very  doubtful,  and  which  has  already  been  discussed. 

(.'{.)  The  moitiiliiy  was  al  first  entirely  local,  and  Ihoiinh  later  a  cer- 
tain nuinbeidf  dead  pups  were  found  on  various  rookeries  examined, 
nothiiij:'  of  a  character  comparable  with  iliat  (Ui  Tolstoi  ntokery  was 
discovered. 

(-1.)  The  mortality  first  oliserved  on  Tolstoi  and  I'olavina  was  at  too 
early  adatt'  to  enable  it  to  be  reas(uiably  explained  by  Ihe  killin;;'  «d' 
mothers  at  sea.  It  occurred,  as  already  explained,  about  the  lotli  <u' 
L'dth  .Inly,  at  a  time  at  w  liicdi.  according  to  the  j^tMierally  accepted  dates, 
as  well  as  our  own  ()bservalioiis  in  KSIU,  the  females  had  not  bejjjun  to 


I 
J. 


in'.l'nIM    ol'    i;i;riisii    ( om.mis^iomks. 


I(tl 


ill  too 

liii^  of 

|l."tt»i  or 

ll  dates, 


leave  tlif  rooknii's  in  liir;:(>  iiiiiiilK'rs,  or,  wlini  ItMNJn;;:  tlie'ii.  to  <1m  no 
more  tlian  swim  ov  ]>\:\\  Jilioul  rinse  to  the  sIiuk-,  It  has  iilie.itiv  Imm'M 
statt'il  that  r>i',vaiit  uixes  the  'St\U  .Inly  as  the  ojk  iiin;;  of  the  pciiiHJ  in 
which  llie  f»'males  lu-i^in  tohiive  I  he  ronki-i  ies,  .Mii\nanl  slater  tliat 
the  i)nlls.  cows,  :iiiil  |*n|>s  icniani  witiiin  ihe  ronkerv  limits  tn  tiic  >;ime 
(lute,  while  j-illiolt  plaees  this  change  in  llit-  iimKi-ries  l)et\\t'(  n  the  en«l 
of  .Inly  ami  tht'."»ili  andSih  An;^nsl.  It  is.  moieoMM.  aeknou  h(l;;('tl  liy 
the  iifst  aiilliorilies.  thai  the  dales  in  seal  lilr  n|iun  I  lie  islniids  have 
lie.  ome  later  rather  than  earlier  in  leei'nt  years,  as  r<im| tared  u  itli  tlmse 
in  wliieh  tlir  dates  abo\e  cited  were  ascertained.  In  the  case  of  the 
death  of  |iii|is  after  the  middle  ol  Aiiuiist.  it  iniLiht  Im-  an  admissible 
hypothesis  that  the  inolhers  had  been  killed  at  sim.  and  that  subse- 
<|ileiilly  to  such  killiii;.;  the  yotini:  had  had  lime  lo  stai  ve  lo  death,  bnt 
in»l  at  dates  earlier  than  this.  In  the  present  ease,  the  nmrlalily  lie-ian 
lonu'  belMre  thai  date.  :iihI  it  se<-ms  probalde  thai  the  deaths  which 
ocenried  later  mnsi  be  explained  by  thesiime  cause,  uhatcser  it  may 
have  been,  exlendinu'  from  the  ori;:'inal  localities  and  becnmin^  uiorc 


•iieial. 

.'irtti.    The  causes  to  which  the  mortalitv  iii>te<l  ma\ 


tt'-ii 


iiied  with 


greatest  jnobabiiily  are  the  Ibllnwin;;'.  but  the  citleiice  ;it  sent  at 
disposal  scaicely  admits  of  n  timd  atti  iimtioii  to  <ine  or  ni  liei  if  them. 
If,  however,  the  examination  made  by  Dr.  Aclaml  of  scxiial  nf  the 
eareassi-s  be  considereil  as  indicative  of  tiie  stale  of  tin  wlml'  ,  <iiie  nf 
the  two  fust  is  likely  lo  atVnrd  the  correct  explanation. 

((*.)  It  is  w  ell  kiKcvji  that  in  eons((|iieiice  of  the  di'cicix'd  nuailieidf 
"killables"  foil  I.  ;  the  hanlinj;'  uioiinds  \r  late  years,  it  has  been  t'naml 
nee«'ssaiy  to  collect  I  iiest' clost  to  and  evt'ii  on  !  lie  c'djics  ot  the  Ineedin^- 
idokeries.  ,  ml  that  it  has  thus  been  impossibh' to  avoiil  the  collection 
and  driving'  to  the  killiiij:  uronnds  with  the  "killaiiles"  ot'  all  suits  of 
seals  not  required,  inelndinji  seacatchie  and  females.  It  is  also  know  n 
that  the  diivin;;  and  killinj;'  in  the  early  part  of  the  season  of  |S'.»|  was 
pnslK'<l  with  unwonted  eiieruy.  takiii;^  into  eonsideratitni  tli«'  reduced 
iinmber  <if  seals,  and  it  appears  to  be  i|iiiie  |»os>ii)le  tliat  Ihe  females 
llins  driven  from  their  yoiinj:.  thoii^h  afterwards  turned  away  from  the 
killiii;:'  ;;roiinds  in  an  exhausted  and  thoroughly  teriilied  slate,  nevei' 
alteiwards  found  their  way  back  to  their  oii;;iiiai  iiicediiiii  places,  but 
either  went  olV  to  sea  or  landed  elsewhere.  The  places  where  the. 
yrj'atesf  number  of  dead  ]>ups  were  first  seen  on  Tolstoi  and  I'olavimi 
Avere  just  those  from  the  imiiiediate  \i(iiiily  of  which  drive's  were  most 
Ireipu'iilly  made. 

(I>.)  The ap|iearaiices.  indicatiii;;  a  local  bc<;inniiiji' and  };ieatest  inten- 
sity of  mortality,  with  its  siibseiiiieiit  extension  to  ;;reater  areas,  inin'it 
i'ea.s<inably  be  explaiiicil  liy  the  nsi^inatioii  and  transmission  of  some 

disease  of  an  epidemic  character. 
04  (c.)  The  circumstances  where  Ihe  iiiortalil>  was  observed  to  be 

;;real«'st  appeared  to  be  such  as  to  be  explicable  by  a  panic  and 
stampede  with  con.seiiuent  o\ ci  i  imiiiiiL:' of  the  yoiiiiL;.  but,  if  so.  such 
stampedes  must  have  occiiired  iiioii'  than  once.  I'liey  mijiht  not 
improbalily  have  resulted  froiii  attempts  to  collect  '*dri\es"  loo  near 
the  breeding;  rookeries. 

\tl.)  It  is  entirely  within  the  bounds  of  probability  that  raitlers  may 
Inive  landed  on  at  least  Tolstoi  and  l'ola\ina  rooueries  without  anyone 
iip<in  the  islands  becoinin,n  (jounisaiit  of  the  fact.  I'ema'es  would  in 
such  a  case  be  killed  in  j^ieatcst  niimliers,  for  these  occupy  tiie  stations 
most  easily  <>ot  at  from  the  .sea  side,  and  the  killiiif;'  uiioii  the  rookery 
Ki'ound  would  also  unavoidably  have  resulted  in  '•  stami)ediny"  huge 
numbers  of  seals  of  all  classes. 


102 


REPORT   OF    BHITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


(M.) — M(lli»(ls  of  euumertithit/  Sails  on  flu  I'rihijloff  Islands  and  Enti- 

iiKitrs  of  Xinnhrrs. 

.■}r>7.  The  number  of  sciils  lu'(iiu,'iitiii<;'  tlu-  I'rihylotV  Isliimls  at  diller- 
nit  (lutes  is  of  <'nurse  a  l:i<  of  fundaiiiciital  iiiiporlaiice,  and  every 
attention  Inistlms  Ix-en  j^ivcn  to  the  nielliods  «'ni]ilo\ cd  in  niakinj;  esti- 
mates of  niunber  and  to  the  results  arrived  at.  (nloitunately  for  pur- 
poses of  coini)aris(»n,  these  have  been  made  for  the  jtast  twenty  years 
at  irre^iular  intervals,  on  entirely  dillerent  methods,  and  by  quite  dif- 
fereid  persitns,  exceptiui;'  in  the  one  ease  of  .Mr.  iCIIiott.  \vlio  ma<le 
elaborat«'  oltservations  on  the  s|M»t  both  in  1.S7--74,  and  in  1S!»0,  the 
latter  l)einj;'  of  sjieeial  value  foi'  ])urposes  of  comparison  with  the  eoii- 
ditions  in  JS'.M. 

.'{."iS,  Tlie  first  actual  estiniateof  the  total  numbers  of  seals  resorting 
to  the  Pribyloff  Islands  appears  to  have  Iteen  tliat  made  by  liryant  in 
ISd'.t.  r.ryant  slates  that  he  discovered  that  there  weie  no  open  places 
on  the  rookerii's,  tlmt  they  be^an  to  lill  at  tiie  water  line,  and  extended 
no  further  back  than  the  breedinj;  seals  could  occupy  in  a  compact 
b(»dy.  lie  then  estiuiated  the  nund)er  to  a  srpnire  rod,  and,  i)resu>n- 
ably.  by  ..ndiiijj;  the  nundier  of  sipiare  rods  contained  in  the  rookery 
;j,'ronnds.  found  the  total  nundier  of  breeding  seals  to  be  1,I3(>,(KK>.  lie 
next  jiroceeded  to  estimate  the  noii-breediiiii'  seals  and  the  younj;'  of 
the  year,  ami  stales  his  belief  that  lliei'e  were  on  llie  island  \.sic\  not 
less  than  .'!.L'.' >(),(!(  10.*  Jf  intended  for  both  islands,  as  by  the  context  it 
appears  to  be,  this  «'stinnite  is  prol»al>Iy  a  reasonably  fair  one.  made  at 
least  to  the  best  of  the  writer's  ability,  thonj^ii.as  he  does  not  state  the 
number  assumed  to  the  sciuare  rod.  we  are  witiiout  any  exact  means  of 
eheckiny  it. 

.■>.V,>.  In  his  report.  l)ased  on  observations  in  lS7li-7l.  Mr.  I'llicttt  claims 
the  credit  for  the  "discovery"'  that  the  seals  collected  on  the  rookeries 
in  a  uniform  number  to  the  s<iuai('  r<id,and,  with  even  i^reater  candour 
than  the  last  writer,  puts  us  in  possession  of  his  unit  of  computation. 
This  is  very  simple,  ibr  he  merely  allows  two  sipiare  feet  to  ea«h  breed- 
in<;'  seal  on  the  rookery  ji'i'ound,  divides  tin-  whole  nundter  ol'  square 
feet  consideri'd  as  rookery  .ground  by  two,  and  calls  this  the  nundier  of 
breeding;'  seals.  ilis  discussion  of  the  subject  is  somewhat  lengthy, 
but  he  sums  ui>  his  conclusions  as  Ibllows:  "Taking' all  these  points 
into  consideration,  .  .  .  I  (juite  safely  calculate  upon  an  average  of 
two  square  feet  to  every  aninnd,  bij>- and  little,  on  the  breedinj^' <;roun(ls, 
as  tlie  initial  point  upon  which  to  base  an  intellijuent  computation  of 
the  entire  nundier  of  seals  before  us."f  Workiuii'  upon  this  basis,  he 
makcis  the  nundier  of  breediniL;  seals  on  the  islands,  in  1S72-74,  .'!,1  *.).'?,  120, 
and,  addinji'  an  estimate  Ibi'  the  mm  breeding'  seals,  raises  the  j'raml 
total  to  1.700,0»»(>.t 

.{(iO.  Lieutenaid  .Maynard,  in  his  Kepoit  written  in  1871,  states  that 
the  seals  freouentinj;  the  I'ribylolf  Islands '*  have  been  variously  esti- 
mated at  from  1,000.000  to  1  ri.o'oo.OOO."  lie  thinks  :\lr.  KIIio»t'.s  niethod 
of  estimation  to  be  the  most  accurate,  but.  by  addiny  a  larj^er  nundier 
of  non  br«'edinin'  seals,  raises  the  j;raml  total,  as  relatin«>'  to  the  year 
3S72.  to  about  (1,000,000.^^ 

mi.  Fourteen  yiais  after  :\lr.  ICIliott's  e.stiimite,  Mr.  (i.  If.  Tin^^le,  in 
].S.S7,expr(>sses  tlie  belief  that  the  area  of  rookeiyf^roundshad  increased, 
and,  employing  Elliott's  method  of  computation,  arrived  at  the  llyurea 

*  "  M(iii(ij:r;i]i)i  of  Xortli  Aiiifrii'iin  I'iiiiii|»tMls,"  \t.  '.iH'.K 

t  riiili'il  St;it('s  ('('iisiis  J{c|iiiit,  i».  .-)(!. 

t  Iliid.,  i>|'.  <il  and);:'. 

j  lioubo  of  Kepicsfiilativt's,  Kx.  Doc.  No.  ili,  41tii  CouyresM,  Ist  ScBsion,  p.  5. 


REI'OKT    OF    lilMTISlI    ('( >:\!M1SSI(  )Ni;US. 


103 


(>,.'{."» 7, 7. ■■)<>  for  tlic  total  iiiiiiihtT  of  si-als.     lliM'.\|»I;iiii.s,  liowcv*'!-,  that  tlie 
space  juivcii   to  cacli  sral   by  this  hypoilicsis  was  too  sinail,  and,  coii- 
t'tMluciitly,  reduces  Ids  estimate  by  one  Iniiitli,  making  it  l,7(»S.'>0().* 
.'jtill.  It  will  be  ol)served  that  Mlliott's  mode  ot  eoin|iutiny'  the  space 

occupied  by  the  breeding;  seals  has  been  made  tiie  basis  tor  sub- 
65         se(|ueiit  calculations,  tiioii<ih  both  Maynaid  and  Tin<4:]e  took  tiie 

libc.ityol  essi'iitially  chanyinu  the  results  as  they  would  have 
appealed  if  this  method  had  l»cen  strictly  followed.  Neitlier  wiiolly 
beli«'ve(l  in  it,  but  neither  saw  his  wav  to  siiiistitutin""  a  more  accurate 


ba 


SIS. 


and  both,  therefore,  merelv  modi  lied  its  residts  l)v  yuessinii'  at 


additions  or  subtractions. 

,'>(i;!,  iOlliott's  itasis of  computation  must,  however,  be  taken  subject  to 
hisown  measuremeutscd' an  adult  lemale.  which  are  as  follows:  liennth, 
oO  inches:  i;iitli.  '.'A\  or  .■)7  inciies.  Such  an  animal,  in  a  recnuil)ent 
position,  would  be  contained  in  a  rectangle  of  as  nej'.rly  as  ]»ossil)le  4, 
instead  of  li.  sijuare  feet,  and  as  ii  is  not  the  normal  habit  of  seals  to 
lie  o\'erlnpped  one  upon  anotiier,  or  to  stand  upi'i;;ht  (»n  their  hind  liip- 
peis.  it  is  surely  clear  that  iiis  unii  of  measui'ement  is  an  erroiieousone. 
This  appears  to  have  occurred  to  tiie  author  himself,  for,  in  statinjj'  the 
totals  of  vaiious  rodkery  areas,  he  writes,  cautiou>iy,  "making'  liiound 
foi'"  so  man\  seals,  and  it  is  not  till  he  jtroceeds  to  make  up  his  j;rand 
totals  that  this  statement  is  suddenly  «'\chan,L:ed  (thou,t;h  in  the  same 
tables)  tor  one  repre.-eutin.u'  a<'tual  luimbei;  of  seals. 

.'•(it.  This  fact  of  measurement  is  not.  however,  the  most  palpable 
.source  of  error  in  these  caiculatinns.  for  the  nature  ot  the  ;;round  occu- 
]»ied  by  the  brecdiu};'  seals  in  itself  rend«'rs  them  wholly  inai)plicable. 
.V  liist  inspection  of  the  territory  covered  by  any  one  of  the  I'ribylolf 
rookeries  is  sullicient  to  slntw  this,  and  the  fact  beconn'S  more  and  more 
«»bvious  as  they  are  examined  in  detail.  The  notes  already  given  (i  -.")(» 
ft  sai.)  on  the  character  of  the  rookery  grounds  may  indicate  the  reasou 
of  this  (aiticism.  but  it  would  be  diflicult  to  convey  an  ade(piate  idi'a  «>f 
the  rocky  and  broken  character  of  some  of  them  l»y  any  (b'scription. 
Photographs  may  serve  to  exhibit  better  their  geiKMal  nature,  and  it; 
a])peai's  to  be  reasonably  within  limits  of  en-or  toc<»nJecture  that,  in  the 
aggregate  of  the  i'ribylolf  IJookery  grounds,  not  mor«'  than  one-half  the 
■whole  sjjace  included  by  their  outer  limits  can,  undeiany  circumstances, 
be  assumed  to  bi'  a  surface  so  level  as  to  be  '•ground  for  the  renting- 
]»lace  of  seals." 

.'>()5.  it  has  been  coiisideved  luntessary  to  deal  with  this  subject  because 
of  its  direct  bearing  upon  the  (pu'stion  of  the  tluctuation  and  general 
diminution  of  the  seals  upon  the  rookeries,  and  the  evidence  that  it 
atfords  oi'the  now  scarcely  ([Ucstioned  faci.  that  the  estimates  nnide  in 
the  earlier  years  of  the  control  of  the  islands  by  the  I'nited  States  were; 
absurdly  high.  It  may  be  added  that  no  >ingle  individual  of  the  nniny 
questioned  by  us  who  had  been  familiar  with  the  I'ribylolf  or  Com- 
inander  islands,  or  both,  Ibi'  longer  or  shorter  p«'iiods,  was  found  to  be 
ready  to  maintain  even  the  ii]tpi'oxiinate  accuracy  of  the  statements  of 
uuml)erof  seals  according  to  tlie  above  discussed  method  of  enumera- 
tion. 

.'{titi.  l^y  way  of  t'urther  substantiating  the  conclusions  arrived  at,  liow- 
ever.  it  nmy  be  well  to  quote  a  few  jaiblisheil  opinions  bearing  on  it, 
wiiich  occur  in  the  < 'ongressi  )iml  Inipiiry  into  the  Fur-seul  Fisheries  of 
Ala>ka.  nuule  in  ISSS:  t 


*  IloMsu  of  lu'ejin'Sfntiitives,  Roi)ort  No.  3M83,  50th  t'oiigress,  2n(l  Session,  I'p.  10;t 
and  177. 
t  House  of  Ropresoutativt'S,  Report  No.  3883,  50th  Congiiss,  I'lid  Session. 


i  M 


t  - 


104 


RKPOUT    or    HKITISH    CO.MMISSlONKIiS. 


jMr.  S.  M.  r>ii\  iiil/ky,  iiovciimu'iit  Aj;i'iit  on  tlic  islmids  dmiii^j  ])!irt« 
of  tlu' vt'!ir.s  I>S7()-71-7l',  iSiiys:  ••  1  saw  ;iii  iipproxiiiKito'stiinalc  ni;i(l<' hy 
Mr.  Elliott  ....  I  <lo  not  tliiiik  any  cstiinatc  \vuiil<l  he  witliin  n 
niilliuii  or  two.  I  think  lio  ]>nts  tlicni  at  live  niilli«>us,  but  it  may  hi>. 
throe  or  seven  millions,  as  they  Jire  countless." 

Mr.  (J.  Wardman,  (Jovernnicnt  A;;ent  on  St,(leorj;e  Island  from  l.SSl 
to  1SS."»,  asked  5)s  to  the  total  nuniher  of  seals  on  the  islanils,  says:  "  I 
never  eoiild  make  it  so  much  as  Professor  ICIliott  has  done.  I  made 
many  estimates.  I  have  been  to  all  the  lookeries  on  the  islands  many 
times,  and  eompaied  tin  '  >  witii  th<'  spare  dccnpied  by  tiie  eaicasses  on 
the  killing  .^rounds,  and  I  feel  i)i'etty  eonlident  that  the  whole  nnndter 
1ms  been  over-estimated."  He  then  proceeds  to  Justify  his  opinion  by 
sjjecial  referen'ces  to  rookeries  on  St.  (ieorj^c  and  to  measurements. 

JMr.  T.  F.  Morji'au,  who  was  on  the  Pril>ylolf  Islands  in  l.S(!.S-(;i>.  an<l 
aj;ain  durinji'  every  killinj;'  season  fiom  ISTI  to  ISSS,  as  an  emi»loy»''  of 
the  Alaska  Commercial  Company,  says, ri-spectinj;  the  number  of  seals: 
"  I  think  that  Prol'essor  I'^lliott  has  ovei' estimated  it  .  .  .  :  belaid 
down  the  eai"cassesof  seals  and  measured  around  tlieiu.  and  then  meas- 
ured the  rookeiies.  .  .  .  Put  they  do  not  lie  all  over  the  territory 
which  he  marked  out.  .  .  .  The  seals  did  not  cover  the  whole  urea 
as  thoroujihly  as  he  nu'asured  it," 

Dr.  II.  n.  Mchityre.  Superintendent  of  the  .\laska(]onniiereial  (Com- 
pany, ami  on  tlie  islands  every  yeai-,  except  three,  from  IS7(>  to  J8.S8, 
says:  "1  think  the  nniid)ei'  has  been  very  lar,i>«'ly  over  estinuited  in  the 
reports  of  naturalists  who  have  observed  the  hal)its  of  the  animals  on 
the  seal  islands.  They  have  made  their  mistake  in  su!)posin.ii  that  all 
the  ground  which  shows  siyiis  of  having  l)een  oc(;upie(lby  seals  is  cov- 
ered by  them  simultaneously,  when  the  fact  is.  that  the  bachelor 
0(5  seals  may  be  found  to-day  ujHtn  a  certain  rookery,  and  another 
time  upon  another  i)lace.  The  result  is,  the  same  aninnils  in 
nniny  instauci's  have  been  counteil  two  or  three  times.  I  think  the 
estimates  are  fully  out'  third,  or  iierluips  (uie-half,  too  hi;;h." 

'Ml.  No  further  estinuite  of  the  total  number  of  seals  upon  the  Priby- 
lolf  Islands  api)ears  to  have  been  made  until  that  of  Mr.  Elliott  in 
1.S90,  ill  which  tiie  j>rand  total  arrived  at  is  *.(.'!», oIKi  breedin,ii'  seals,  in- 
cluding' only  ."{."iO.OOO  breeding  femah's,  besides  a  large  number  of  bar- 
ren fenniles,  while  the  number  of  nuile  seals  over  one  vear  old  did  not 
exceed  100,(»(H>. 

,'H)>S.  The  citations  above  given  are  sullicient  to  show  the  character  of 
the  estimates  of  numbers  made,  and  to  indi<'ate  why  it  is  impossible  to 
follow  the  changes  and  lluctuations  in  nund)ersof  sea.ls  resorting  to  the 
rribyloU"  Islamls  directly  and  by  these  means  ahuie.  In  his  original 
reportof  1871,  liicuteinint  Maynard  very  sensibly  remarks  that  the  most 
trustworthy  index  of  the  eondilion  of  the  rookeries  is  to  be  found  in 
the  aggregate  area  occupied  by  them  at  i)articular  dates  in  each  season, 
rather  than  in  actual  numbers  of  seals,  which  can  never  be  anything 
but  mere  ai)i)ro.\innitions.  His  suggestion,  that  i)lans  should  be  made 
and  nnirked  with  the  rookery  limits  in  each  year,  was  unfortunately  not 
carried  out,  an<l  we  are  thus  tlnown  back  tipon  imliret  t  methods  of 
instituting  comi)arisons  between  the  past  and  present  condition  of  seal 
life  upon  the  islands.  We  can  only  hope  that  for  the  future  steps  will 
be  taken  accurately  to  ])eg  out  or  mark  the  limits  of  the  existing  rook- 
eries as  a  criteri(Ui  of  elmuges  certain  to  occur  from  year  to  year. 

3G!>.  The  auxiliary  methods  which  were  adopted  in  making  compari- 
sons of  the  i)ast  and  i)resent  condition  of  the  rookeries,  inclinled  care- 
lul  personal  observation  at  three  difl'erent  periods  in  the  season  ot 


K'F.I'OIM'    or    IMMTISII    Co.MMlSSlONKKS. 


105 


].S!>1,  iiiiulr  in  tlic  liulit  uf  cv  iilt'iicc  ]>icvionsly  ])ul>1islw'<l,  and  witli  tin* 
aitl  of  t'orinal  and  int'oiinal  <|Uc.sii(inin^  and  convcisatioii  witli  all  lliosc 
a<*tnally  «'n<j;Mi;t'd  in  (Im*  \v<»rU  on  llic  islands,  as  well  >..s  with  many  wlio 
ha<l  pi«'vi(Misly  woikcd  <tn  tli«i  islands,  \ni\  wen'  at  tin-  time  in  otluu' 
indrjicndcut  (Mn|)l*)yMi<'nts. 

.'iTO.  The  dilVciinj;' a^cs  at  wliicli  tlic  nialcK  and  Icinalcs  rcsiUM-tivrly 
icacli  maturity  and  cnt^'r  into  the  hi'«M'din,L;'  class,  tD^ctlicr  with  lli<^ 
varyin;;'  times  at  which  t  lie  sc.\<'s  ar«'  su|)i)<»scd  t(»  continue  in  t  his  class, 
witli  other  circumstances  alicady  detailed  as  to  the  lial»ils  (»f  the  liir- 
seals,  tonctluT  att'ord  the  data  for  very  elal)oiiit«'  calcwlalions  as  to  the 
late  of  increase  or  decrease  ol'  nnmliers  of  seals  under  \  arious  condi- 
tions, and  subji'ct  to  the  killin^idf  (tertain  numbers  of  seals  of  sitecilied 
sexes  and  •.\<xvs.  Such  calcnlaiions,  from  a  practical  point  ol  view,  are, 
h(»wevei',  more  curious  than  useful:  fust,  because  of  the  uncertainty  of 
many  of  the  data,  due  to  a  want  of  necessarily  precise  information; 
anil  second,  froiu  the  impossibility  of  including  tlu' consideration  of  the 
varyin<i  natural  causes  of  loss,  which  in  some  years  may  be  so  seri(»us 
as  t(»  entiielv  vitiate  any  arithmetical  residt  which  may  be  arri\ed  at 
by  such  a  calculation.  An  attem]»t  of  a  very  };»'neral  character  has, 
lu'verlheless,  been  made  to  illustrate  the  luuiual  increase  and  possible 
liilliufi'  of  seals,  which  maybe  presented  for  the  purpose  of  putlinj;  the 
matter  in  ])oiiit.  In  this  calculatiim  rou};hly  approximate  data  only  arc 
emphtyed,  because  it  is  believed  that  sueh  data  ar<',  under  the  circum- 
stances, likely  to  yield  results  as  trustworthy  as  any  assumptions  of  a 
relined  and  deliuite  character. 

Ml.  The  state  of  the  breed  in  j;' rookeries  of  the  fur-seal,  under  muinal 
circumstances,  and  while  the  surplus  of  males  is  bi-iiiu  annually  kilhul 
otV.  may,  it  is  believed,  be  fairly  rei)resented  by  a  unit  value  consist inj; 
of— breed inj;'  males  1(I,(I0(»,  breedin-;  feimiles' KMMMX).  I'.ryant's  esti 
mate  (which  appears  to  be  the  best)  of  younj;  survivinj-'  to  reach  inatu- 
rily,  under  normal  eircumstances.  is  .'!(>  ])er  cent,  of  the  entire  innuber 
born;  or  with  an  annual  birth-rate  corresponding-  to  the  above  "unit'' 
of  1(»(>,(K)(),  ;{0,()(H)  would  reach  ''maturity"  each  year.* 

It  may  further  be  assumed  that  the  avera^^c  aj;e  of  "maturity"'  in  the 
two  sexes  is  4  years,  and  that  the  whole  number  of  seals  ui»on  the  rook- 
eries diirinft'  four  preceding'  years  has  remained  constant. 

lil'2.  Under  these  assumptions,  ;j(),(HI()  4-year-old  seals  would  b(i  added 
each  year;  and  it  may  be  postulated,  thoujih  it  has  iu)t  been  actually 
ascertained,  that  of  these  ir),(i()(>  are  males  and  ir),(l(t()  females.  Of 
these  it  may  be  supposed  that  10  per  cent,  is  i(Mpiire(l  in  eacli  ease  to 
replace  natural  losses  by  death  annually  of  the  breeding'' classes,  or,  say, 
Kl.OOO  females  ami  1,000  males. 

;>7;i.  Under  these  assum])tions,  it  is  e\  ident  that  a  surplus  of  the 
yearly  incireinent,  consistiuy  of  14,000  males  and  5,000  females,  may  be 
killed  each  year  without  damage  to  the  exist  in}>'  state  of  the  rook- 
07        eries,  which  should  thus  remain  at  a  iixed  numl)er.     The  death- 
rate  allowed  is  probably  sullieient  to  coverall  but  viay  excep- 
tional natural  causes  of  loss. 

If,  however,  nnder  these  circumstances,  no  females  be  killed,  an  addi- 
tion of  5,000,  or  5  i)er  cent,,  on  the  whole  munber  of  fenuiles,  will  accrue 
to  the  rookeries  yearly;  and  such  increase,  to  maintain  the  re<inisit«} 
pro])ortion  of  the  sexes,  will  call  for  a  similar  inert.. ise  of  o  per  cent,  in 
males,  or  oOO  jnales;  thus  reducinj;  the  number  of  males  which  may  bo 
killed,  if  killing-  is  restricted  to  this  sex,  to  13,^00  annually. 

*  Oryiuit  ostiiiijitt'N  tliat  (linhiji  the  first  year  (iO  percent,  of  tin*  yoiuiK  aro  loHt, 
ihiiiii;;'  the  second  year  15  pi'V  ((int.,  but  bel'iire  tliey  arrive  at  niaturily  ut  least  10 
per  tout,  more  aro  dostroycil.     "  Jluuoj^iaidi  of  Mortli  Aiuerieun  I'innipods,"  p.  407, 


•■t 


106  RKI'ttUT    OK    lUnThSH    (;» )MMISSI(  )M:|{S. 

Willi  Slid)  iiii  iniimal  iiicniiM-  ol'  .">  per  ccnl.  to  llu'  fiiliic  licrd,  this 
should  doiiltlc  ill  iiiiiiiImt  in  about  »'v«'iy  roiulccn  yc;iis. 

Tims,  altoiil  770,(l(t(»  hrct'diim  seals  siioiild  juudiicc  annually  KHMtOO 
killalilc  males  of  an  axeiaj^c  a;^e  of  I  yeais.  and  still  allow  Ibi  a  o  per 
cent,  aiiiiiial  increase  ot"  tlie  l»i'ee<iiii,i;  seals. 

.}"  I.  .\ddinj;'  to  tliii  assniiied  unit  ol'  I  lO.UdO  hreediiiu  seals,  male  and 
I'einale,  tlu^  nnniber  of  non  hreedinu  seals  recjiiiied  hy  liryant's  per- 
eeiitajic  estimates  ol'  loss  l)y  death  ol  yoiin;^.  the  rollowiiii;  ti'iiires  would 
represent  tiie  whole  numlier  ol'  such  seals  at  aii\  one  time: 

riijis,  .ill^t  l">ni 10(1,000 

Yciirlin<;H to,  000 

L'-yc:ir-«>lils :!,".,  OdO 

3-'vi';il-(>lils ;!;!,  (1(10 

Eil'oto  McaU  111    liolh  -i'\rs.  s;iy 50.0(10 

ToImI  III'  iion-lir.'.diiiL'  .■.f:ils ■_'.">S,  01)0 

t'iTo.  Adding:  lo  these  the  I'l'eeiiin^-  s.iils.  the  whole  niiiiiiier  ol'  s«'a!.s 
present,  when  .">(t.(i(il.'  may  he  killed  aiiiiiialiy  wiliioiit  dccKasin^  the 
a. l;s: rebate  niimiier.  would  l)e  ."tliS,!)!)!!,  and  proportionately,  in  order  to 
inodiu-e  an  increase  of  l(H>.(»(il»  annually,  a  tola!  iiiimheiof  I'.riTlJ.dOO. 

.'>7li.  Asa  mailer  of  opinion,  liascd  (Ml  such  iiiloi  iiialioii  as  we  lia\e 
been  able  to  obtain,  and  not  wit  list  a  ml  in  j"'  the  iiiiich  larmier  nil  in  Iter  jiivcii 
to  the  islands  by  several  of  llie  eslimnlos  previously  ipioted.  we  ari^ 
inclined  to  doubt  whether  the  whole  nunilier  of  seals  l're'|iienlin;i'  Hk! 
I'ribylotf  Islands  h..s  e\(  r,  since  the  evceptioiial  shiii;;liler  of  Isli.S, 
actually  e\«'ecded  -.(MKI.iUiO,  There  can  be  no  ]»ossil»le  i|iieslion  that 
the  actual  iminber  has  i)c''n  xciy  ^really  exauucrated  in  most  of  I  ho 
com])iilat  ions  maile.  If  this  oiiininn  be  ai»pro\imately  correct,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  an  annual  slaughter  of  IdO.dOii  mah's  mi,i;lit  lead  lo  Just  such 
a  ('(Hitiiiuoiis  and  caniulalive  decrease  in  total  numbers  as  is  elsewhere 
shown  to  have  occinnd  befori'  jiela.uic  sealiiiii''  had  entered  into  the 
(picstioii. 

(N.) — Vi(ri(iiis  \iitiii-<il  fiiilicdlioHs  of  lonm  r  l^.vloit  of  (} round  occupied 
lijl  Soils  oil  tlic  J'rilt!il(i_()'  I.sIiukIs. 

.'577.  It  will  be  iindcrslood.  that  on  the  Pribylolf  Islands  all  parts  of 
the  surface  above  tiie  reacli  of  the  waxes,  and  mil  loo  rocky  or  too 
eiitiri'ly  ciuiiposed  of  loose  sainl.  is.  in  conse(]ueiice  of  the  humidity  of 
the  climate,  naturally  covered  with  urass.  iuil  that  on  the  areas  running' 
back  from  the  >liore  with  a  j^reater  or  less  width,  Aviiich  are  occupied 
as  ro(»keries  or  hauliiij'' <;roiin(ls  by  the  seals,  the  constant  inovemeiit 
and  passa,ye  of  these  animals  entirely  pr^'Veiils  any  vegetable  ;irowtli. 
Thus,  these  resorts  of  seals,  when  seen  e\en  from  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, are  (iiiile  disliiictly  marked  as  liare.  earthy  slopes.  \Vlien  more 
♦  losely  examined,  it  is  fiiilher  found  thai  the  rocky  iirojections  and 
scattered  angular  rocks,  which  are  ('(Miiinoii  to  a  ;;reatei'  or  less  extent 
to  nearly  all  the  rooker\  grounds,  have  had  the  angles  imne  or  less 
l>olished  and  worn  l>y  the  constant  moNcineiit  of  the  seals  over  them. 
The  rocks  bein^'  {xonerally  basaltic  contain  no  v«'ry  hard  minerals,  and 
there  Itein;;'  a  ceriain  propoili«tn  <d'  silicioiis  matter  in  the  sand,  this 
supplies  a  very  ellicieiit  polishinj;'  material,  which  is  applied  by  the 
llippers  and  bodii's  ol  the  seals.  The  jiolish  thus  imparted  to  p(U'tioiis 
of  the  roeks  is  different  from  that  produced  by  wind-drilted  sand  in 
beiny-  cliielly  ciuiliiied  to  points  and  angles,  and  is  thus  easily  tlistiu- 
guisiied  from  it. 


KKI'OUT    or    HKITISH    COMMISSIONKHS. 


107 


.'ITS.  It  !-<  Iniiiid  lliiit  sucli  |>;utl.v  |)i»lislic(l  fork.-;  iiic  cliniactt'i-istic 
]i;iiticiil;ii  ly  <»r  tilt'  .s«';i\v:ii(l  sidt-  ol'  llic  sfvciiil  ruolvciy  yruuiKls,  ;iii(l 
tli:it  liiitlicr  iiil;ili<l,  and  ill  ^iciitiT  di>laiict's  limn  tlic  cent  lal  paits  ol' 
tlic  sevi'ial  inttknics,  tin*  appcaianc*'  Ik'c'oimj'  less  an<l  less  well  iiiaiUcd, 
till  it  at  l<'n;4lli  <i'as«'S  to  lie  ol»s»'ival»U'. 

.IT'.l.  It  is  cNidciil  lliat  llu'  pitlislijno-  and  wt-arin;;  dnw  n  of  rocky 
suifiics  in  tli<'  manner  above  desciibed  can  have  occniicd  onl\  dminj; 
lon.u  sci'ies  ol'  years:  hnt  it  is  also  evident  that  tlie  occMpation 
OS  ol'  the  same  sjMtt  hy  huj^c  imnd)ers  of  seals,  say  one(^  in  every 
Ihii'd  or  e\('n  every  tilth  or  tenth  Near,  would  be  sni'lieient  to 
remler  the  polishing'  jiroei 'ss  pract  ieally  eontinaous.  Thai,  in  laet,  any 
]iarl  ieiilai'  I'oeUy  spot,  it'  not  occnpM'd  lor  intervals  of  sexcral  or  many 
years,  would  not  in  such  intci  \als  lose  the  traces  impiessed  upon  it  by 
I'ormer  occu])ation.  and  that,  if  reoccupicd  trom  time  to  tina>,  ilie.se, 
tiaces  would  lieconie  cumidati\('.  lAjierience  jiained  in  conn<'ction 
with  the  examination  ol  p(»lishinj;-  *\[\v  to  the  j;lacial  period  in  other 
regions,  iinpre-^sed  on  J  list  such  roc  Us  as  those  of  the  rribylolf  islands, 
shows  that  such  polisliin,^  is  exceedingly  endiirin<r.  and  that  the  mere 
action  of  the  weather  upon  polished  rock  an;;les,  like  those  i'ouiid  upon 
some  of  the  biecdiiiji-  grounds,  cannot  ha\('  jiercept  ibly  operated  in  the 
direction  of  their  obliteration  since  the  earliest  human  knowled^^e  of 
the  rribylolV  islands.  Otherwise  stated,  it  may  be  safely  asserted, 
that  while  alibi (liii,L;'  no  valid  evidence  of  recent  occupation,  such  traces 
uivc  invaluable  evidence  as  to  the  whole  ai«'a  at  any  time  lonj;  occupied 
by  lar^c  iiiinibcis  of  seals  during'  the  past  few  hundred  years. 

.'^8(1.  In  coiise(|Uence  of  the  want  of  act  iial  iiiloi'mat  i<ui  as  to  t  he  extent 
of  seal  (icciipied  ;^r(Uiiid  about  the  various  breeding-  places  on  the  I'li- 
t)ylolV  Islands  la  various  years,  a  veiy  ^i'cneral  tendency  is  ajipareiit, 
even  amoiiji'  those  who  lia\e  been  familiar  with  the  islamls  for  several 
years,  to  magnify  the  conditions  of  the  past  at  the  expense  ol  the  pics- 
ent,  and  free  s«'ope,  is  often  ^iveii  to  the  imaj^iiiatioii  in  describiiiii;  tho 
Ibrmer  extent  of  varitais  rool;eries  and  haiiliu!.;  ;;r()unds.  An  excellent 
corrective  to  ;;eiierali/.ations  of  this  kind  was  found,  howe\-er,  in  noliiij.f 
the  bare  or  lichen  covered  surfaces  of  the  scattered  rocks,  'i'lu'  climate, 
as  well  as  the  rock  surfaces  of  the  I'ribylolf  Islands,  are  well  adapted 
1<»  the  ^^rowtli  of  lichens,  luil  where  seals  ha\e  been  in  any  considerable, 
jinmbers,  no  lichens  arc  fouiid  on  any  sin  face  over  w  hicli  they  can  climb, 
or  which  has  be<'n  witiiin  the  reacli  of  their  tlippeis.  A  knowled<:(>  of 
the  \'ery  .slow  ;.;ritwtli  of  lichens  was  siiflicieiit  to  indicate  that  wliert^ 
such  accessible  rocks  were  well  lichen  coxcred.  sea!  life  must  lia\e  been 
but  scantily,  if  at  all,  represente<l  for  a  loii.^'  term  of  years. 

.")S1.  An  observation  of  this  particular  fact,  c<mtinued  from  rookery 
to  rookery  over  both  islands,  showed  that  tlie  lichened  rocks  often 
extended  (,,i,.  to  the  limits  of  the  ground  si  ill  annually  kept  bare  of 
{iiass  by  tlie  seals.  Hytliisstaleiiieiit.il  is  not  meant  lo  altiriii  that 
the  lichened  rocks  and  stones  wcic  always  and  excrywhcre  eonternii- 
iioiis  with  the  limit  of  the  bared  ground,  i)Ut  that  in  many  cases  easily 
ad'cssible  points  of  .liiound  t(aiclied  these  limits,  both  on  St.  i'aiil  and 
St.  (leorue,  and  thus  proved  that  the  seal  freipiciited  area  had  not  con- 
linuoiisly  overpassed  the  actual  limits  for  a  considerable  number  of 
years,  and  tliat  vaj^ue  statements  to  a  contrary  ell'cct  were  necessarily 
eiroiieoiis.  This  was  particularly  noted  on  West  Zapadnie  Ik'ookeiy,  on 
certain  parts  (»f  the  ifeef  rookeries,  and  those  of  North  ICast  I'oint  on 
St.  I'aui,  and  on  the  iiitth'  I'aisteiii  l{(>okery  on  St.  <ieorj;e;  but  as  a 
(•riterion,  it  was  in  a  lesser  deyree  distinctly  observed  ou  nearly  all  of 
the  breeding  grounds. 


108 


REPORT   OP    UKITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


.'5SL*.  To  rciKlcr  tlic  iiH>iiiiiii<;  of  tliis  liicl  dear  to  tboso  who  have  not 
l>!n  ticuliirly  paid  attiMitioii  (o  tlii.s  subject,  th»'  followiiij;  iiuotatioii  may 
licjjivcn  IroiM  the  article  oil  liclicns  in  tiie '•  lOin-ychtpatlia  liiitaiiuica':* 

In  tliislitfiil  and  iiliiiiiiinal  lil'i-  of  licheiiH,  \v<-  li:iv<-  tlic  •■\])1uii!itiiiii  in  a  ^rrat 
incatiiii'iMtl' tliiir  aliiioNt  iii<lflinitr  duration  of  (txi.stt'nri'.  It  is  \v<>ll  known  that  lliry 
ai'i'  ))<'i'<'iiniai  jdantH  in  Hit-  \vidi-st  NcnNc  of  tliis  term  :  and  tliat,  tlionirji  in  tlic  cariiiM- 
staiji'H  of  tln'ir  fxisstcnri-,  tiicir  k'<'^^'I'  '*<  cotnpaial  i\  <iy  rajiid,  vet  tlii.s  liccorni's 
fxticnudy  slow  when  tlicy  anivo  at  a  cj-rtain  ajic  Tin-  tiiric  lociuircd  for  tlic  dc\cl- 
o|>ni('nt  of  (;\-«'n  tlic  most  ra]iidly  j;io\vinji  s|ircii's  may  lie  lalculatcil  l)\  the  apprar- 
aiKM'sof  sucli  of  these  as  are  met  with  on  j;raveNloiies,  mortar  of  houses,  stone  walls, 
wooden  palinjis,  and  snch  like,  the  date  of  whose  ereci  ion  i.s  known.  .\mon;;^t  other 
instances  that  have  come  under  the  jiresent  writer's  own  oh.s<Tvat  ion  may  lu'  adduced 
tile  case  of  /'Ini-tciii  jiarivlunt  Ithi*  common  urey  lichen  of  the  rriliylolf  Islands  i.s  a 
J'hilsfiii],  ;j;rowinfj  in  fair  <|Uanlity  on  the  stones  of  a  ^ranile  wall,  huilt  in  18:>(i,  in 
a  niai'itinii'  district  where  the  ]dant  is  extremely  ahiindant,  and  where  the  almos- 
■|)herical  and  oiIkm-  conditions  arc  w<ll  sniltMl  for  its  "growth.  In  a  recent  visit  to  tiie 
spot,  it  was  lonnd  that  although  the  thallus  is  now  well  de\clopcd,no  t'rintiliciilion 
whatever  is  visilde,  tli(>n<rh  traces  of  spcrmoj^ones  arc  lic;;innin^'  to  appeal',  so  that, 
in  a  space  of  forty-five  years,  this  j>lant  has  not  yet  attained  full  matinity. 

.'{s;;.  Still  another  charactciistitr  of  the  rookery  ftinninl.s  i.s,  1  hat  their 
siirlaees  are  j^eiierally  eoiiiposed,  especially  in  hollows  siil^jected  to  little, 
wear,  of  a  telted  coat  of  mud  and  hair.  In  tlie  damp  climate  of  the 
l*ril>ylolV  Isliinds  this  <'liaracteiistic  dtM'S  not  endure  very  lonj;',  ami 
when  any  jmrticnlar  area  is  iihamhmed  for  ii  few  years  by  the  seals,  it 

soon  becomes  ajiain  covered  with  yiass. 
69  3.S-i.  This  last  circnmstane<^  letids  to  the  ctmsithM'ation  of  a  fiiet, 

upon  which  much  str«'ss  has  lately  been  laid,  in  connection  witli  the 
estimation  of  the  present  and  farmer  areas  of  tlie  rookeries  and  haulin}r 
ji'rounds.  It  istpiite  noticeable  tliiit  when  sin  ait'a  (hnibtless  ori<;iiially 
covered  with  rouji'h,  ttissocky  <>rassof  h)n}>'  fjfowth,  andof  the  charactei' 
normal  to  the  islands  (and  ju'eneiall.v  or  always  coiitined  to  the  sinj-le 
species.  I'lj/nnis  moll  i.s),  has  been  octcupied  by  seals  for  suvAi  a  time  as 
to  eradicate  this  j>iassand  smooth  down  the  lumpy  suifac*'  upon  which 
it  oi'ew.the  temp(»iary  or  permanent  abandonment  of  the  area  is  Ibllowetl 
by  the  appciuaiice  on  it  of  ^ras.-^es  of  a  shorter  ami  closer  j>rowth,  and 
which  in  the  later  summer  and  tiutumn  sooner  assume  yellowish  colours, 
in  (jonsetjuence  of  which  the  outlines  of  the  previously  occupied  area 
become  clearly  delined.  It  is  (juite  natural,  that  in  the  nnfortuiiiite 
iibsenceof  any  consecutive  record  of  the  extent  of  the  rookeiy  j;rounds, 
or  of  corre(!t  or  coniparable  estinnitesof  the  ntnnber  of  seals  ui)on  them 
or  npon  the  islands  its  a  whole,  these  ''jtrass  limits,''  as  they  may  be 
called  for  brevity,  Inive  been  seized  upon  as  something'  tanj>ible. 

.'W').  The  "{irass  limits"  are  often  quite  readily  observable,  parMcu- 
larly  from  a  little  distance,  and  some  specitil  tittention  was  j^iven  to  them 
in  order  to  ascertain,  as  far  as  possible,  to  what  extent  they  mifjht  be 
employed  as  a  criterion  of  change,  and  parth'ularly  of  diminution  in  the 
areas  fretjuented  by  seals,  or  in  the  aggregate  number  of  seals  resorting 
to  the  islands. 

3.S(».  It  may  be  nn-ntioned,  in  the  iirst  place,  that  the  grasses  to  be 
found  in  these  particular  tireas  aie  not  in  themselves  iiecidiar,  but  it  is 
merely  the  lU'edominance  of  certtiiu  forms  and  their  mode  of  growth 
which  seems  to  outline  such  areas,  the  nn>st  abundant  grass  being 
apparently  Dcsfltdnipsia  {Aim)  m'.s7>/7o«fl,  with  which  the  little  crucifer- 
ous plant  CofhU'oria  ollicinalin  is  often  mingled.  Farther,  that  a  very 
similar  growtli  and  colouration  is  fouml  in  other  ]»arts  of  the  islands, 
which  have  never  been  known  to  be,  and  which  in  all  probability  never 
have  been,  frequented  by  fur-seals;  as,  *'or  instance,  ou  the  easterly 

•Ninth  edition,  vol.  xiv,  p. 558. 


REPOirr    OF    ISRTTISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


109 


not 


it 


to  be 
t  it  is 
owtli 
being 
cifer- 
vciy 
aiids, 
never 
terly 


slopes  of  the  low  hill  upon  which  the  fhigstalV  stands  at  St.  Paul  villa,i;e. 
Making  due  allowance,  however,  tor  tliese  and  otlu-r  accidental  circum- 
stances, tlie  tact  remains  tliat,  surrounding  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  present 
rookery  grotmds,  there  is  a  nisirgiu  of  varying  width,  and  not  always 
coiu'cntric  with  tiie  still  bare  area,  pretty  clearly  marked  out  by  such 
ditlerence  of  sod. 

.'WT.  ]{especting  the  time  which  it  uuglit  take  for  any  portion  of  seal- 
worn  ground  to  revert  to  its  original  tussocky  condition  if  undisturbed, 
little  can  be  said  with  certainty,  further  than  tliat  it  nnist  be  many 
years.  The  tussocky  character  of  the  general  surface  upon  the  islands 
has  arisen  in  the  course  of  time  and  by  the  persistence  of  grass  clumps, 
about  which  -and  and  s(»il  cariied  by  the  wind  have  collected,  and 
vegetable  matter  i»roduce<l  byj-ontinued  growth  has  ac«*umulated. 
Ivxperience  on  the  w«'stern  |»lains  of  North  Anu'rira.  where  a  bulValo- 
patii  or  cart-trail  is  sometinu's  found  to  have  retained  its  identity,  with 
little  apparent  change  lor  thirty  or  in(»re  years,  would  indicate  that  tln^ 
time  of  reversion  here  to  tlu^  original  state  ot  the  surfa(U'  cannot  be, 
placed  at  less  than  jierhaps  tifty  years,  while  a  century  would,  in  all 
l>robability,  more  lu'arly  represent  it. 

.'J8S.  Without,  however,  attaching  any  imixutance  to  particular  limits 
of  time,  it  is  ]>erl'ectly  clear  that  Intth  iu  theextentof  the  seal  jiolislied 
rocks  and  in  that  of  the  distiiu-tive  vegetation,  we  see  marki-d  tii<^ 
greatest  expansion  which  the  areas  so  characterized  have  at  any  tinn^ 
attained  during  the  last  KM)  years  or  so.  and  that  tliese  traces  thus  cany 
us  back  so  far  as  to  render  them  of  little  value  in  the  elucidation  <»f  the 
changes  of  late  years.  Still  furthei',  it  is  obvious  tiiat  such  limits  ne<'d 
not,  and  probably  do  not,  (juantitatively  represent  th<'  actual  expansion 
of  the  seal  herd  centering  about  any  given  rookery  ground,  but.  on  the 
contrary,  indicate  an  outer  boundary,  within  the  limits  of  which  the 
seals  liave  oscillated  during  a  long  term  of  years.  The  extraordinary 
li.xity  which  has  been  attiibutcd  to  the  rookery  areas  and  hauling 
grounds,  arising  naturally  from  a  |)opular  exaggeration  of  tlu'ir  sub- 
jyermanentchaiacter.  has  alone  rendered  it  mentally  possible  t-/  advance 
to  the  further  stage  of  belief,  which  has  induced  some  writeis  to 
assume  that  the  whole  of  the  areas  showing  traces  of  seal  occupatimi 
have  been  at  some  detlnite  time  siiindtaneonsly  and  closely  occupied. 
There  is  no  basis  for  any  such  belief  in  natuie,  or  in  the  oliservcd 
habits  <d"  the  seals,  and  any  refeience  to  it  with  this  meaning  involved, 
merely  tends  to  cloud  the  consideration  of  the  true  facts  of  the  ease. 

38!>,  1)\:  Mclntyre,  in  a  jtassage  already  (pioted,  icfers  clearly  to  this 
])oint,  and  tiu'  facts  previously  given  iu  connection  with  changes  in  tlio 
rookeries  furthei-  illustrate  it,  though  it  is  not  at  once  grasped  in 
an  insjjection  of  the  seed  islands  tor  the  lirst  time, <n'  in  one  <-oiitiiied  to 
:'.  single  ]ieri()d  of  the  year.  It  is,  moreo\ cr,  very  easily  understood  that 
any  <tne  with  l»ut  a  general  remembrance  of  the  former  greater  abun- 
dance of  seals  on  the  islands,  if  asked  to  indicate  the  limits 
70  occupie<l  by  them  and  groping  for  some  tangible  means  of  doing 
so,  should  seize  njion  the  ''grass  limit"  as  alfording  this  means, 
and  maintain  that  that  limit  is  co-extensive  with  the  spread  of  the  seals 
in  the  ''sixties"  or  in  the  "seventies,"  as  the  case  may  be. 

IV.H).  The  best  htcality  actually  found  for  observing  the  circumstances 
eonuected  with  old  seal-fre(|uented  areas  was  that  of  tlu^  im]»ortant 
rookeiies  of  North  Kast  P(tint.  The  "grass  limit"  was  there  particu- 
larly well  marked,  especiallv  in  the  month  of  Sej)lember,  and  it  was 
noted  that  the  rocks  with  ;  dislu'd  edges  scarcely,  and  then  only  in  a  very 
slightly  marked  tbrm, extended  as  far  as  the  "grass  limit,"  giving  reason 


no 


lir.pniri"  (»F  iMiiTisir  commissioni.ijs. 


to  liclicve  tliiit  tin'  ;;nmiHl  Inid  Itccii  iit  no  tiiiu'  tliicUIy  or  very  contimi- 
oiisly  lr«M|Ut'nlt'(l  l»y  seals  to  this  liiiiit.  Tlic  iiraily  straiuht  sli(»it'  liiic 
I'uiiiiiiiu  rastwai'*!  tVoiii  lliittliiiisuii  Hill  is  almost,  or  |)racli<'ally  <|nitt', 
coiitiiiiioiisly  i)<'(ii|ii('(l  l»y  luccdiiiii  seals,  tlionjili  these  uceiipy  a  much 
fiicater  widlli  in  some  places  lliaii  in  others.  As  eaily  as  the  ."ith 
Aii;;iisl.  !S<l|.  it  u;is  (ihsei  \  able  Irom  I liitehiiison  Hill,  in  eoniieelion 
uitli  the  ueiieral  change  in  I  he  rookeries  at  abont  1  his  date,  that  eoii- 
sideiable  l)odies  ol  seals  had  woiUed  l>aeU  in  three  |)laees  (piite  lo  Hie 
luai'jiin  ot  the  "uiass  limit.''  and  in  a  iburth  liad  almost  reached  (Ids 
limit,  in  thus  workinu'  inland,  the  respective  bodies  of  seals  had  Ibrnu'd 
Ibnr  "bays,"  ;L;radiially  narrowin^^'  toward  the  innei'  ends,  where  the 
}:reatei'  nnndier  of  >eals\\t're  at  the  time  j^athered,  hnt  ot  which  thei 
limits  were  (piite  distinctly  marked  by  the  llatteniii<;-  dow  n  and  paitial 
disappeaiance  of  the  short  .^rass,  and  the  fact  that  mud  and  saml  had 
been  drawn  over  il  by  tli<'  restless  movement  (d'  the  seals,  'i'his  observa- 
tion alone  was  snilicient  to  indicate  that  even  the  present  nundter  of 
seals  ndjiht  naturally,  in  the  conrseof  a  few  years,  work  over  every  pait 
of  the  territory  on  the  seaward  side  of  the  ^cneial  '-jirass  lindt,"  and 
that  this  linut  niiulil  thus  be  pei'euuially  nnniitaiiu'd. 

IWl.  W'iu'n  the  same  pari  of  the  North  Kast  I{o<»k<'ry  was  re-e\anuned 
in  the  niid<lle  of  Si'pleintiei'.  Ihouyli  there  were  still  some  larjic  ••pods" 
of  seals  scattered  out  as  far  as  the  "iirass  limit,"  the  arrangement  above 
<leseribed  had  partly  broken  nj),  and  tl  "  "bays"  were  not  so  distinctly 
outlined,  as  recent  rains  had  washed  and  partly  I'evived  the  seal- 
trodch'U  j^rass  by  which  tlu'V  had  previously  iiet  ii  marked  out.  'I'lm 
seals  ()('cn|»yiii<.i-  the  "bay"  nearest  to  Hie  base  of  the  hill  had,  however, 
moved  still  furlher  back,  and  were  actually  in  occupation  to  the  luim- 
ber  of -.(iOO.  Ol'  thereab(»uts.  of  an  area  of  the  lou^'er  and  tnssocky  <;i'ass 
to  the  rear  of  the  j;('ueial  "<irass  limit."  At  the  same  date,  near  the. 
western  base  ot  the  lou^  slope  of  Hutchinson  Hill,  a  considerable  area 
of  the  shorter  turf  on  the  seaward  side  of  the  "urass  limit''  was  found 
to  show  ob\  ioiis  traces  of  liavin.i;'  been  occui)ied  by  a  lar>;'e  number  ol" 
seals  lor  some  days  at  least,  thouuli  tlu'y  had  snb<eipient ly  abandoned 
it  for  some  other  locality.  Her«'.  ajuain,  one  corner  of  the  area  thus 
marked  (Uil  by  recent  occupation  overpassed  the  "^rass  limit, "and  cov- 
ered a  sui)erlicies  estimated  al  about  r)(>,(M)()  stpuire  feel  of  the  louy'  tus- 
socky  .iiiass.  which  showed  no  si;:>n  of  ])revious  occupation  by  seals. 
The  shorter  ,yra-<s  had  naturally  sutVered  more  than  the  lou.ucr,  beiiiji* 
tiatlened  down.  partiall.\  worn  olV.  and  jiressed  into  the  mud.  The 
lonjier  ji'rass  in  (he  course  of  a  year  will  probably  show  no  trace  of  its 
occupation. 

MDi'.  Passinii-  now  to  several  chaii;;es  of  the  same  jicneial  cliaractor 
lutted  (Ml  the  Keef  liookery:  As  early  as  the  ISth  Au<;ust.uot  oidy  was 
a  lar.u'er  number  of  seals  than  before  observed  (mostly  hollusehickie) 
seen  h.iuled  out  on  the  outer  ]»art  of  Zoltoi  sands,  at  the  inner  end  of 
JJeef  Point,  but  they  were  also  scattered  in  considerable  numbers  far 
back  on  the  hill.  There  were  in  all  i)robably  about  3.(i(H>  seals  here  at 
this  time,  and  luiehalf  of  them  were  estimated  to  be  "killable"  seals. 
Oil  the  l">tli  September  lar.iie  droves  of  seals  were  resting;-  or  travellinj; 
about  all  i^arts  of  the  bare  ''parade  jiround"  between  the  IJe«'f  ami 
(iorbotcli  rookeries,  which  had  on  previous  visits,  six  weeks  and  nine 
weeks  before  respectively,  been  but  seantily  oc('ui)ied,  and  whieli,  if 
noted  only  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  season,  wonld  have  been  charac- 
terized as  an  area  practically  abandoned  by  seals.  The  only  .notable 
exception  to  this  occu]tati(iu  was  the  jirassy  llat  t<»  the  southwest  of 
*'i''ox  Hill,"  which  for  some  reason  was  not  freipiented,  and  shows  little 


HF.POKT    Ol-    IlIMTISH    <OMMISSIONF.RS. 


Ill 


ictor 

was 

■kic) 

(1  of 

i>  lav 

V  at 

cals. 

Iliiijj: 

and 

iiiiiie 

111,  if 

iiac- 

ablo 

}t  (.f 

little 


si^lii  ol'   iiaviiiii'   hccii   iiiiiili  o(('iii)i«'(l    litlicfiii    this   or   furriicr  \('ar- 
Wjii 


(',  t  licrctnic.  It  iiiijihl  casih 


avc  htMMi  assiiiiicd  ;it  t-arlu'r  datis  m 


tile  season  tliat    ll 


lui 


f  sloiit'S  <> 


f  111 


f  "paiadc     iiHJica 


t<Mi   t 


ic  loriii(>r 


I'xislt'iKC  oj'  "iicat  masses  of  seals  niiliUe  ;iiiy  now  to  lie  loiitiil,  tlie  rea- 
son of  I  he  ahsenee  of  lii  ass  upon  them,  evi-n  iimlei  t  lie  picsent  eii cum 
stances.  Iieeanie  iiei  I'ectiy  ol.vioMs  on  a  iatei-  inspeetioii. 

;{'.»."'.    iW'fore  leavinj;-  tliis  p;ii  Meniar  siil>jeet,  il  ma>  lie  well  fiirtiier  to 
mention  thai  tliei'<-  i 


soil  ihe  North  l''.a 't  i'oint  a  eoii-^iileialilr  area  of 
wiiat  may  be  railed  ••spnrions  j>rass  limit,"  to  the  wcsi  oj'  the  slopes  of 
Ilntcliinson  Hill,  and  exiendinji' nearly  to  (  loss  lidl.  Here  there  is  a 
tlat,  spreading;,'  hack  iVom  Ihe  Iteach  and  liimiided  on  the  inland  siil(>  l>y 
n  low  lise  Ol'  step,  which   mi.ulit   easily 


mi- 


akeii    for  a    vei  v   wide 


expansion  of  a  former  rookery  yronnd.  but  \\  hicii  is  in  reality  not  due 
to  any  snch  c.iiise.  but  is  physically  diltcieiit.     'I'he  hi^ihei'  llat. 

71  rniinini;'  inl.ind  from  the  .step  or  low  bank  jnst  refericd  to.  is 
(•liietly  composed  of  loose,  porous  saini.  a   tew  feet  only  in  tliic 


iiess  at  the  ediic.  but  exteiiiiinii'  in 


ilea 


ter  or  less  thickness  o\er  a  coi 


siderable  portion  of  t  he  intci  ior  of  the  whole  Norlli  i'-ast  I'oint  peiiiiisnla. 
This  is  overgrown  by  ioii;;li.  In^socky  .mass.  I'.elwceii  th«'  ed^c  of  the 
step  and  the  sea  the  siiperiii  jal  sandy  covei  ii';^'  iias  been  removed,  prob- 
ably by  the  action  of  the  wind  and  sea  in  e\c(  ptional  storms,  and  has 
exposed  a  stony  ami  boiildery  lower  surface. on  which  voiianic  soil  rather 
than  sand  is  jiackcd  liet  ween  the  rocky  fraLiiients.  All  I  hat  part  of  the 
]ow(>r  area  which  is  ^^rassed,  is  covered  with  a  shortei'  and  yellower  kind 
ol'  ;4iass.  Nodislind  ••;;rass  limil '"  <-:!n.  tlierelore.  bi-  traced  across  it, 
and  it  is  impossible  in  this  |)lace  to  outline  the  maximum  limit  of  seal 
occnpation  at  aiiyjXMiod  except  by  I  he  polished  character  of  the  rocks, 
a  feature  wliicli  ceases  to  be  obser\aide  loiijf  before  the  edye  of  the 
iil)pei'  llat  is  reached. 

IVM.  The  general  features  here  described  arc  well  shown  inthe  sketch 
formiiij^-  riate  1\  in  .Mr.  Mlliott's  ("ciisiis  Ifcport.  tlmuuli  in  this  sketch, 
for  artistic  elfect,  the  horizontal  <listan«'es  are  considerably  i'c(biced  in 
])roporti()n  to  the  vertical  dimensions.  The  --innons  line  of  the  edu'c  (tf 
the  higher  tlat  may  be  clcaily  traced  by  the  lon^ci'  <irass,  and  it  is 
obvi<»us  that  the  seals  tlid  not  approach  tliis  line  even  at  tlie  time  this 
.sketch  was  made,  <.r  in  bSTL'-Tt.  .\  photo^^rajth  liken  from  the  sann- 
pitint  of  view  in  IS'.M  iii<licates  the  strin-tiiral  jicciiliavities  of  this  stret(di 
of  j>roiind  still  more  «'oiicliisively. 

.'ii)"».  It  may  therefore  be  stated,  in  conclndinu  the  consideratifin  of 
this  subject,  that  neither  tlie  extent  of  the  seal  polished  rocks  nor  that 


of  tl 


le  "cTass  limits     in   the   vninitv  ol 


the 


orccdiiii;'  urotimls,  can  he 


tvnsted  to  for  the  piirposc  (tf  j;iviii<>'  information  as  to  chani;es  in  area 
ori)osition  of  jironnd  occti|  ied  by  seals  in  recent  years,  as  contrasted 
■with  that  at  present  occiiiiicd.  l''ar  less  can  it  be  tala'ii  to  indicate  in 
any  reliable  manner  the  numerical  decrease  in  the  seals  in  these  years. 
or  be  accepted  in  place  ol'  the  animal  details  on  this  subject  which  an 
iiitelliji'en)  snper\ision  of  the  rookeries  wonid  have  exacted  as  a  mat  ter 
of  i)riine  iini»ortance.  but  whii'ii  are  iinfoimnately  wanting;,  and  can 
only  ])e  in  ])art  supplied  by  incidenlal  albisioiis  or  collateral  obs(>rva- 
tions  which  have  been  i)reservcd.  \\  liether  <onsidered  from  a  general 
point  of  view,  or  in  the  Uiiht  of  the  spt'cial  imjuiries  made  in  bS'.H.  such 
indieati<ms  as  those  above  referred  to  must  be  admitted  to  mark  out 
only  the  maxiniiim  a\t'ra<i<'  limil  of  oscillation  and  raii.iie  of  seal  occn- 
])ation  diirin.i;'  a  very  loiiii'  jicriod  (d'  years.  While,  therefore,  exact 
I'ecent  surveys  of  the  areas  marked  out  by  sueh  "firass  limits"  orotlier- 
Avise,  in  the  vicinity  of  rookeries,  may  possess  a  certain  limited  intiinsic 


112 


IlKI'ORI'    or    niMTISir    fDMMISSIONKRS. 


iiitercst,  tlM'.v  ciiii  have  iibsolutcly  no  (ixod  vaino  in  coimoctioii  with  tlio 
IHsiclical  inatltMs  imdcr  discussion.  It  is,  in  lat't,  lar;:<'ly  to  ich'as 
loosely  l)as«'(l  on  the,  «>b.s('ival»l('  extent  of  };;ronn(l  wliieli  lias  at  one  tinio 
or  aiiollier,  but  never  simnltaiieonsly,  been  oc<'ii|)ie(l  by  seals,  that 
many  of  the  «'.\a}i';;erate(l  estimates  oi"  tlie  amount  ot'  th»' present  reiUu;- 
ti(»n  in  number  ot  seals  in  tlu'  islands  may  be  directly  traced. 

(O.) — Clniufien  in  IlahitH  of  the  Fur-seal  in  recent  Years. 

39(5.  The  systematic  and  persistent  hnntin;;'  and  slauj^hter  of  the  fnr- 
seal  of  the  North  I'acitic.  both  on  shore  and  at  sea.  has  naturally  and 
inevitably  yiven  lise  to  ceitain  clianiics  in  tlie  habits  and  mode  of  lite 
of  that^  animal,  which  are  of  i'npoitance  not  only  in  themselves,  but  as 
indicatiMji'  the  ellccts  of  such  jairsiiit.  and  in  showinj;'  in  wliat  particular 
this  is  injurious  to  seal  life  as  a  whole.  Such  chanj^es  doubtless  bejian 
more  than  a  century  aijo,  ami  some  of  them  may  be  traced  in  the  histor- 
ical precis,  elsewhere  f,'iven  (^  7S2  ef  .sv7/.).  It  is  unfortunately  tiue, 
however,  that  the  disturbance  to  th<^  normal  course  of  seal  life  has 
become  even  more  serious  in  iccent  years,  and  tliat  there  is,  therefore, 
no  lack  of  matt'rial  from  which  to  study  its  «;hara(tter  and  eilecteven  at 
the  ])resent  lime. 

'Ml.  The  chanjics  in  habits  and  nn»de  of  life  of  the  seals  naturally 
divide  themselves  into  two  classes,  which  may  l)e  considered  separately. 
The  lirst  and  most  direct  and  palpable  of  these  is  that  shown  in  the 
im'rease<l  shyness  and  wariness  (»f  the  animal,  which,  thoujih  always 
pelagii!  in  its  nature,  has  been  forced  by  circumstances  to  shun  the  land 
more  than  betbre,  so  that,  but  for  the  necessity  imjjosed  ujuni  it  of  seek- 
in}?  the  shore  at  the  season  of  birth  of  the  young",  it  might  probal)ly  ere 
thisliave  become  entirely  pelagic,  ('hanges  of  tlie  second  class  embrace 
those  which  iiave  resulted  from  adispr()p«ution  of  thesexes,  i)roducedby 
the  continuous  and  excessive  killing  of  males  of  certain  ages,  and  from 
new  and  more  destructive  methods  adojited  on  the  breeding  islands 
because  of  dimiinshed  numbers  and  other  such  circumstances.  The 
increasing  irregularity  and  oveiliipiiing  in  the  dates  in  the  events  of 

seal  life  may  be  included  in  this  latter  class. 
Tli  3!>S.  ('hanges  of  the  lirst  class  have  now  ai»parently  become, 

in  a  UH'asure,  hereditary,  while  those  of  the  second  depend  almost 
from  year  to  year  upon  the  treat  men*,  at  the  time  accorded  to  the  seals, 
and  miglit,  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  at  most,  Avith  care,  be  caused 
to  revert  to  theii'  former  normal  condition. 

39S).  L'elagic  sealers  of  experience  are  almost  unanimous  in  stating 
that  the  fur-seal  is  each  yeai'  becoming  more  alert  and  dillicult  of 
ai)proach  and  capture,  while  the  iiulepemlent  native  hunters  add  their 
testimony  to  the  same  effect,  and  there  can  be  no  question  as  to  the 
general  fact.  Such  changes  are  more  notable  at  sea  than  on  the  breed- 
ing islands,  for  when  at  sea  the  seal  is  in  its  natural  element,  and  free 
to  exercise  its  instincts  of  self  preservation  ;  when  on  shore  at  the 
breeding  season  it  is.  on  the  contrary.  i)ractically  defenceless,  and, 
beyond  the  instinct  to  attempt  to  escajic  from  immediate  death  about 
to  be  inllicted  by  the  club  or  otherwise,  it  is  incapable  of  seeking 
safety,  and  is  at  the  mercy  of  the  seal  killer.  Itsonly  refuge,  under  these 
circumstances,  is  to  seek,  if  such  may  be  found,  some  new  breeding- 
place  unknown  or  inac<*essible  to  num.  (Japtain  Scammon,  many  years 
ago.  adverted  to  this  fact  in  the  following  terms:  "We  may  add,  like- 
wise, from  our  own  obseivation.  ami  as  the  expressed  oi)inion  of  several 
expeiicnced  sealing-masters,  that  their  natural  migrations  extend  over 
a  great  expanse  of  ocean;  and  if  they  are  unduly  disturbed  in  their 


KKrOUT    OF    HHI'IISH    ('OMMIS8IONEUS. 


113 


It  ()f 
tlieir 
o  tho 
(reed- 
free 
the 
and, 
iboiit 

tliese 
diiiff- 
voiirs 
like- 
veral 
over 
their 


fav(»urife  li;niiits  lor  several  successive  years,  tliey  ari^  (iiiite  sure  to 
seek  s  diie  distant  and  unknown  |>hire,  where  they  <'an  eongrej^att! 
uuMioh'sted  l»y  man."* 

4(M).  It  is  doahtless  in  <'onsei|uence  of  this  fact,  as  already  pointed 
out,  that  tlie  I'riliylolV  and  ('onnnaiider  Islands  iiad  lon<;  a;;()  become 
thes|n'ciid  resorts  of  tlie  fur  seal  of  the  North  I'acilic.  and  to  the  samo 
cause  must  be  attrilMited  the  :il)ai.donment  of  other  hieedin;^  <;'rounds 
formerly  fre(iuented  i>y  this  aniniiil.  as  well  as  the  attemi)ts  to  tak**  up 
new  rookeries  whicii  have  been  nientioiKMl  when  describing;  the  facts  of 
seal  life  ulonjf  tlH^  western  sliores  of  tlie  Nortli  I'acilic, 

4(11.  As  above  stiit«'d,  neiirly  all  tlu^  peliif^ict  sealers  concur  in  tho 
opinion  that  the  fui'  seal  is  annually  becominjj  more  shy  and  wary  at 
sea.  They  add  that  this  is  most  iipp;iient  in  tlnit  |>art  of  the  east  side 
of  the  North  racilic  to  the  soutli  of  the  Aieutijin  Isliinds,  but  thi(<'  it 
is  becoming;  ecpially  marki'd  in  tht^  tMsteiii  part  of  Mehrin;;'  Sea;  W"<"  o 
in  the  western  part  of  the  scm.  where  peliiiiie  se;din;r  has  as  yet  be*  i 
scarcely  practised,  the  seals  do  not  show  the  same  fear  of  boats,  and 
are  more  easily  approached.  It  is  thus  evident  that  j;reater  skill  and 
caution  is  annually  required  (»n  the  pait  of  the  pela;;i(t  hunters,  and  on 
the  assumption  that  the  number  of  seals  met  with  at  sea  has  remained 
the  same  in  ]»r(»port ion  to  area  of  surface,  tlie  statistics  (|uoted  on  a 
later  pajje  res;,ectin^  the  catch  madi^  in  relation  to  each  boat  employed, 
would  appear  to  show  that  the  dexterity  of  tlui  huntei-s  has  iniireasi'd, 
jHiri  fhiss)!,  with  the  waiiness  of  the  seals. 

K)L'.  The  facts  obsei\ed  l»y  the  pelaj^ic  sealeis  in  rej^ard  to  the  iibiin-  ,/ 
daneeor  otherwise  of  seals  at  sea  have  imi)ortant  bearings  on  the  jjeii- 
eral  ((uestioii  of  the  whole  numi»er  of  seals  now  or  in  re(;ent  years 
inhabiting  the  North  I'acilic,  and  also  when  taken  in  conjunction  with 
the  reduction  in  nnmbei-s  on  the  l)reedin<>'  islands,  in  evidenciuff  the 
clianfi'i's  in  habits  \w\i\  specially  referred  to.  The  j^cneral  tenor  of  the 
whole  of  the  evidence  to  be  obti'incd  on  this  ]»articular  subject,  whether 
directly  by  ours<'lves  or  from  otner  sources,  shows  that  thouf;ii  chan<;es 
in  i)osition  are  noticed  from  year  to  year,  no  decrease  in  nund)ers  Inis 
occurred  at  sea,  while  an  actual  iiicicase  is  in  many  eases  reported. 
This  (iircumstance  of  the  e<uif  inued  abundance  of  seals  at  sea  in  the 
wlnde  tract  of  ocean  freiiuented  by  the  p('laj;ic  sealers  is  so  notable, 
and  at  the  same  time  so  entirely  opposed  to  some  loose  j^eneral  state- 
ments as  to  diminution  which  lia\e  found  currency,  that  some  evidencie 
relating  to  it  may  ])roperly  l)e  adduced. 

403.  In  188!),  Captain  J.  O,  Warren,  whose  experience  is  entirely 
pelaf;ic,  as  be  has  never  been  within  si<;ht  of  the  I'ribylolf  Islands, 
says:  ''I  have  noticed  no  diminution  in  the  number  of  seals  during;  the 
twenty  years  I  have  been  in  the  business,  l)ut  if  any  (ilianye  at  all  an 
increase."t  Cai)tain  W,  O'Leary  says,  in  the  same  year:  "I  do  not, 
think  there  is  any  decirease  in  the  number  of  seals  enterinj;-  Behriuff 
Sea.  I  never  saw  so  nnmy  seal  along;  the  coast  as  there  were  this  year, 
and  in  Behrinpf  Sesi  they  were  more  numeinus  than  1  ever  saw  them 
before."!  ^"  the  followiiijn'  year  ]\Ir,  A.  It.  .Milne,  Collector  of  Customs 
at  V^ictoria,  after  detailini;-  his  inijuiries  made  from  i)elag;ic  sealers, 
says:  "i  can  now  safely  repeat  what  1  have  already  said  and  written, 
that  owners  and  masters  do  not  entertain  the  slightest  idea  that  the 
seals  are  at  all  scarce." § 

*  "Marino  Maminalia,"  ]>.  152. 

f  Parliamentarv  Paper  [Ctllin],  p.  350.     London,  1890. 

t  ll>i<l..p.3.-)7. 

^I'arlianientary  Paper  [C.C253].     Loudon,  16U0. 

B  S,  PT  VI 8 


114 
73 


Ur.I'dUT    UK    HKIIISII    CoMMISSlONKWa. 


KM.  Messrs.  <';ini('  iiii<l  .Miiii'^ii',  in  ii  IcIU'i-.  tlalcd  tlu»  ."ilst 
Orfolur.  |s<)0.  :i(l(licsst'(|  to  Mr.  Milne,  stiile  that  wliile  tlies«'iil« 
IiikI  ill  tli;il  year.  Iiittli  in  lieliiiiii;  Se:i  ami  aloii^  the  coast,  to  some 
I'Xteiit  ehaiiueil  tlieir  ;;i  >iiiiii|s.  t  hey  iliil  not  appear  t«i  lie  an,\  seareiM' 
than  when  they  li^sl  eiiya^ed  in  tlie  sealiii;:  inisiness  in  lss|.  hi  IS!M>, 
they  t'oiiiiil  the  seals  iiiosi  plentii'iil  to  the  north  aii«l  ea>t\\aiil  ot'  the 
Islands  ot'  St.  I'aiil  ami  St.deoi^e.  ami  iii>laiit  Ironi  tlieni  Irotii  •'{'* 
to  (i(>  miles.  \Uiiie  in  t'ormer  years  tliey  were  most  alnimlant  to  th<i 
\>est\vaiil  of  t  hese  islands.  .Ml  their  caplaiiis  lepoitiil  thai  ihest'als 
were  as  plentii'iil  as  ever  in  i:<'lii'iii^  Sea.  and  allrilmti'd  tiie  eonipara- 
tively  small  eatehes  made  to  the  roii,::li  and  loy^iy  wcaliier  that  pro 
vailed  during  the  season.  <  aptaiii  .1.  S.  <'o\.  in  a  letter  heaiini;  tlie 
same  date  as  that  Iroiii  whieli  tlit^  aliove  statements  are  taken.  aiMl 
addressed  to  the  same  ;>eiil  hiiiaii.  says  t  hat  t lie  masters  ot  his  sehooiiers 
report  that  the  seals  aifiiol  j;t'iliii^  any  seareer.  'I'lui  limited  eateli 
made  was.  in  their  opinion,  due  entirely  to  the  bad  weatlier  which  pre 
vaileil  in  Uehriiii;  Sea  dnriiiL;  the  sralinj;  ncason.  They  found  the  seals 
most  plentii'iil  to  the  east  ot  SI.  i'aiil  and  St.  ( ieor.i;*'  Islands.  .Messrs. 
Hall,  (lo'pel.  and  Co..  in  a  let  ter,  dated  the  1st  November,  ISltd.  and 
also  ad<lressed  to  Mr.  Milne,  state  that  the  captains  of  their  schooners 
I'oiind  the  seals  to  b»'  as  plciitiliil  as  in  any  pievioiis  year,  but  that, 
(►will};  to  tlu>  fo;.;yy  and  boisterous  weather  encountered  in  itehriii^' 
Sea,  very  larj;*'  catches  were  not  made. 

'H)'k  Diirinu  the  month  of  .laiiiiary  ISiH',  scNcral  captains  nf  sealinji- 
vessels,  ami  hniitcrs  on  such  ncsscIs.  were  examined  under  oath  by  Mr. 
Milne  at  N'ictoria,  and  Iroin  their  evidenc«>  the  following  stateinents  as 
to  the  relative  abundance  of  seals  in  IS'.tl,  as  compared  with  former 
years,  ar«'  taken : 

Mr.  Vj.  .1.  Kelly  found  the  seals  as  abundant  as  t'onnerly  aioiif^'  the 
coast  to  the  Shiimajiin  Islands. 

Captain  Win.  Petit  followed  the  seals  north  from  Cape  Flattery,  and 
says: 

I  found  tlu'iii  more  jili'iil  il'iil  l;iHt  ncmt  tli;iii  I  liavc  ;my  yi'iii  since  ISSli;  tliat  is. 
IVdiii  Ciipt'  I'Miitli'iy  iiinlli  ....  ill  Itctiriiiu'  Sea  as  |p|(Mit it'iil  as  in  lorincf 
ycai'.s     ....     We  s:i\v  niiii-f  last  year  llian  lor  s. •Viral  years  |nt!vi(iiisly. 

Cajitaiii  W.  10.  i.aker  reported  the  seals  to  be  as  i)lentiful  aloiifj  the 
eoast  to  Shiimajiin  Islands  as  in  former  years,  "in  some  i»lace-;  more 
plentiful,'"  He  says:  "No  material  dilVerence  in  my  averajic  catch  for 
last  four  years."' 

Captain  A.  Iiisset  foIlow(>d  tli(>  seals  north  from  Cai»e  Flattery  and 
foumi  them  as  abundant  as  ever  befiu'e. 

Captain  T.  INI.  Alajiiiesen  says: 

I  tliiiil<  tliev  |tlie  sfals]  were  imne  |ilt>nf if'iil  last  season  tli.ui  I  ever  saw  tlioin 
liel'oie  ....  The  liii;i;est  cateli  ,  have  ever  made  was  last  year,  on  tlie  eoast  a.s 
well  118  in  Itelirin;;  Sea. 

Henry  ( 'rcx-ker  thinks,  from  '  at  he  saw  of  the  seals,  that  "  they  were 
just  as  many  as  before." 

J\ichard  'riioin])Son  believed  he  seals  were  as  plentiful  as  in  the 
l>revious  yeai-. 

Andrew  Laiiij;  had  observed  ,)  decrease  in  the  number  of  seals;  "if 
anythiuii',  they  were  a  little  mo    '  numerous  than  in  ISDo." 

Captain  W.Cox  took  I, (Mill  >.,'als  in  four  days,  1(10  miles  to  *lie  west- 
ward of  the  rribylotl'  Islands.  He  Ibiiiid  the  seals  much  niort  plentiful 
in  Ik'hrinji'  Sea  than  lie  had  ever  seen  them  before. 

40ti.  Similar  evidence  of  a  p'licral  character,  and  confivmatcuy  of  the 
statistics  just  quoted,  was  obtained  by  us  in  the  autumn  of  1891  from 


ki;poi;t  or  lii.'irisii  (  ummissfonk.i.'m. 


11". 


;umI 


il  iimnlxT  of  st'iiliiii;'  cipliiiiis  ;inil  liiiiitcis.  to  tlic  flt'iMl  lliiit  llif  ;;riM'r;il 
r\|irii<'iic('  Wiis  tliJil  '('ills  wiK' <MiiiiilIy  oi-  iimii' ;il»iiii(l;ilil  ill  >t'ii  tliis 
yvnv  tiniii  lln'v  liml  lictii  in  ruiiiM  r  ■  <  ms. 

107.  'rii(';irtii;il  siiccrss  ol' iiidividiiiil  sc;iliiij;-\  rsst'ls  olCciinx' <l«'|icii(|s 
so  lar;;t'ly  ii|mhi  tlif  ;;oo(l  loi  tunc  m  <n>t>{\  jii'.l^nicnt  uliicli  nniy  I'lmlilc 
llu'ni  to  liill  in  will)  iiini  rnlluw  <')iii.sii|ci  ;ili|c  Itmlit's  III  simIs,  ;i.s  will  us 
on  tlic  \\«';illici-  »'\|»n  iiiiccil.  tlrit  tin-  lii;iir(S  H'picscMlin;^  Ihi-  riilcli, 
coinpiirnl  to  tlif  lioiits  or  wliolv  niiinix  r  nt  nn-n  cniploynl,  ri>n.-!iliiti-  ;i 
nioic  Inistwoitliy  criterion  tliiin  unysncli  <;cncial  stalcnicnts. 

71  ('tnniiiii  ixiiii  hiliiiiii  llii  nil  III  III  r  III'  llmils  iiinl  Min  inijilniinl  in  llir  I'm    "iiil  I  i^linij 

mill  till  iiiiiiilnroj'  Smln  lul.i  n.     i  iiiil'i  \'fHHiU  miiliiiii  J'linii  I  iiliiriii  iin  inilniliil.) 


Yfiir. 


1HH7  . 
IH>i«  . 
1MH1»  , 
IXIIO  . 
Mill  . 


.Viiiiiliir  if 

NllMll 

"T  i>l 

Am-im'^«       NiuiiI 

.  lol 

Av 

■iiiiiii 

S.  .ilfi. 

Ml 

11. 

|ii'i'  Man. 

i;.>; 

I.H. 

|M'I 

r.Miii. 

•J(l,  •.'Hii 

:i)il 

•      SO 

l'j:t 

ir,i 

•ji.;'.j!i 

41 J 

:>.•■ 

IT'i 

li:i 

•J7.  m'pH 

4X\ 

M 

I7» 

i.-.ii 

:!'.!,  .M7 

iir.'i 

Ml 

LMtt 

li;<i 

411,  «1.". 

!!•<  1 

4tt 

u:.;t 

•  i::-l 

*  III  IH'.ll,  ni'aily  all  lln'  ••iIhmiih  i-i  uin'  warin'il  mil  ni'  Mi  lirin 
tlit<  criliiiarv  liiiiiliii.,  nia^nn. 


St'U  miiiin  WfiliM  licl'iiio  (lie  oxpiry  "f 


■lOS.  Ill  coiisi(l«'i  iiij;'  tlic  ;;cnci;il  liciii  ili;;s  of  tlic  jiliovc  stalciiicnts 
ohtiiiiu'tl  iVoiii  iicja^ic  scnlcis,  and  ol'  llic  niiiiiciical  facts  dcriNcd  fioni 
an  iinalysi.s  of  liicir  calcli.  it  inii.^t  be,  rcniciMlicicd  llial  tlic  vc.s.scl.s 
cn;;a;;c(l  in  .scalini;  arc  aide  to  cany  <>n  tlicir  woik  \vlicrc\cr  the  .-(cals 
may  l»c  lound,  and  lit  it  the  .'iidcncy  of  the  seal  to  Kcc|>  fiiitlici-  from 
the  siiorcs  dues  not  niatciiall\'  alfcef  tln'ir  succcs.n.  ||  is  nl  lierw  ise  witli 
the  indepciidciit  iialivc  liiintcrs,  wiio  employ  i!i(>  slnue  as  I  heir  liase  of 
opciatioiis.  and  it  is  theieiorc  chiclly  fiom  liic  oiiser\  alions  mad(!  l»y 
these  men  that  ;  i  idea  can  lie  formed  of  the  recent  ciian^ics  in  habits 
of  tli(^  seals.  Il  iiinst  lie.  noted  here,  ho\ve\cr,  heltiic  (|iioliii^-  this  par 
ticiihir  evideiKH',  that  circiimstaiices  of  wind  and  weather,  as  well  as 
tliH  iibundaiK  »'  or  othci  wise  of  suitabh'  food  for  llic  seal-;,  have  a  jiicat 
el!"ect  locally  on  the  iimnlu'is  of  seals  of  which  the  natives  are  co;;ni- 
/.ant,  and  tliat  it  is,  therefore,  rather  on  the  nt'iieral  Iciior  of  tlieir 
observations  than  on  any  isolated  notes  tiiaL  broad  conclusions  may  bo 
safely  based. 

■W.K  In  the  Aleutian  Islands,  the  natives  (ir.estioncd  at  Oniialaska 
bej;an  by  statinj;-  that  the  iiiimbci'  varied  iiiiudi  from  .\eai'  to  year,  but 
the  oldest  aiiionji'  the  liiintcis  said  that  it  had  been  about  tlitj  saiiu;  for 
the  ])ast  live  or  si.\  years. 

110.  At  ivadiak  Island,  Mr.  \N'ashbuiii,  the  local  anient  of  the  Alaska 
Commercial  Comjiany, expressed  the  opinion  that  seals  wen;  four  times 
more  numerous  in  the  vicinitxof  the  shores  of  that  island  liveycais 
aji'o  than  at  ])re.sciit,  and  that  the  number  seen  there  had  decreased 
M<>tably  within  the  last  two:  cars.  The  seals  did  not  now  come  in  to 
the  ;->hores  as  before,  and  did  not  enter  I'lince  William  tSoiind  in  lai  i^e 
nnmbevs  as  they  had  previously  done,  but  remaiii'd  at  sea  in  the 
neiji'libourliood  of  the  I'oitlock  and  other  banks. 

411.  The  same  u-ciitlemaii  informed  us  ot  the  interesting;-  fact,  related 
by  the  natives  of  Kadiak,  tliat  one  season,  now  many  years  ,\<x<t,  several 
hundred  fur  seals  had  formed  u  breeding?  rookery  on  one  of  Ili«^  islands 
ill  iShelikoll'  Strait,  but  that  this  attempt  had  not  been  continued.  In 
tlune  or  .luly  l.SOl,  one  recently  born  seal  ]>U])  liad  been  seen  with  its 
mother  near  the  shore,  about  20  miles  to  the  west  of  St.  Paul  on 
Kadiak  Island.  This,  however,  was  the  only  instance  of  the  kind  he 
could  vouch  for. 


i 


IM 


116 


REI'ORT    OF    ISIMTISH    COMMISSIONEUS, 


I  V 


r^' 


11'  i 


41-!.  At  Silkn,  l)(»tli  Wliitf's  iuid  lii(li;iiis,  iiiiiiiliiir  with  the  sealing 
business,  stilted  tliat  the  hunters  e()iii]>laiiie(l  that  tlu^  seals  were  now 
wild  and  dillieult  to  a|i|ii'oaeii,  and  united  in  attiil^utin*;'  the  e(»Mi|)ai'a- 
tively  small  native  catch  of  I.SDL  to  this  cause.  Tiiey  lldnk  tliat  the 
iiumher  of  schooners  en{ja.ued  in  the  fisliery  is  tiie  reason  of  this 
increased  wariness.  Captain  Moirisay  stated  tiiat  he  di<l  not  think 
the  seals  were  h'ss  numerous  at  sea  this  year  liian  hefnre,  but  tinit.  on 
the  contrary,  all  accounts  sliow  that  they  weic;  more  ahuinhmt  tlian 
usual,  and  that  a  jiood  cateli  would  have  been  obtained  liad  tiiey  not 
be«'n  so  mucii  disturbed  by  vessels.  Tiie  Indians  aver  that  lonj;'  a};() 
the  seals  were  very  numerous  about  Sitka,  and  it  is  a  tradition  or 
IcjU'end,  that  in  ea.ily  times  tiiey  freiiuently  lauded  on  tlu'  islands  in  that 
vicinity.  VN'ithin  the  nu'Uiory  of  the  living'  hunters,  sinj^ie  seals  had 
been  seen  aslioie  in  various  jilaees  on  the  islands  r, If  Sitka  and  near 
Cape  lMl,n'ecoml)e.  Two  yeais  a<>(),  a  female  had  been  seen  on  the  beach 
on  the  outer  side  of  Ca]ie  OmMU-iiy. 

41.'!.  Amoiij;-  the  Indians  from  Klawok,  an  old  man  explained  that  in 
the  time  of  Ids  j;rcat -jiiandfather  there  were  vast  luunbcrs  both  of 
seals  and  sea-otteis  in  that  vicinity,  and  that  the  old  people  said  that 
in  these  times  the  seal  j^av  'tirth  to  its  yon uu' there.  Ilehadnevcu' 
lu'ard,  however,  that  there  were  any  special  places  to  which  the  seals 
resorted  for  that  puipose. 

414.  In  the  iiortlu'rn  i)art  of  (i)ueen  Charlotte  Islands,  the  Indians 
state  that  the  seals  have  mtw  become  so  timid,  that  in  a  hnutiu};" 
75  season  of  tM'o  months  they  sometimes  kill  about  thirty  seals  only 
to  a  canoe,  whei'cas  tlicy  formerly  wer«'  oltt-n  able  to  j^et  the  same 
number  in  OIK' day.  NN'heu  tliey  iirst  beuau  to  hunt  seals  systematic- 
ally, they  jienerally  .yot  them  ."i  or  <l  miles  from  tin'  sliore,  whereas  at 
the  l>resent  time  they  had  to  <;'o  lo  or  I'O  miles.  They  attribute  this 
ehanj;e  to  the  schooners  which  they  see  eiiina,i;('d  in  hunting'  olf  their 
coast.  ICdensaw.  theold  Chief,  said  that  nmny  years  aj^o  the  seals  were 
often  found  lyiu^'  to.u'ether  on  the  water  almo-t  touihin-^each  other,  and 
;50  or  50  in  a  bunch,  but  that  now  they  are  more  widely  scattered.  lie 
further  stated,  that  iu  former  years  he  had  sometimes  seen  full  j^rown 
bulls  condnji'  ashore  in  \arious  jilaces  on  the  west  coast  of  the  islands 
iu  sprin.u'.  >«'<it  many  years  ai^o,  lu!  had  seen  a  female  \\ith  a  recently 
born  pup  on  the  shoic  near  Cajjc  Kaiuani:  and  once,  loiij.^"  a.u'o,  he  had 
found  a  female  seal  in  the  act  of  juixin.n'  l)irtli  to  two  pups  on  ifoseSpit. 
These  facts  are  of  particular  interest,  from  their  beariu<j-  upon  the  state- 
mejits  (|iu»ted  by  Professoi- .1.  A.  Allen,  on  the  authority  of  Captain 
Jlryant,  now  moie  than  ten  yej.rs  a,i;i».  for  while  they  do  not  directly 
confirm  this  statement,  they  tend  to  siipitort  it.  IJeferiins  to  Captain 
liryant,  I'rot'essor  Allen  writes:  ••In  his  MS.  Report  just  received,  he 
states  that  a  half  breed  hunter  told  him  that  he  found  in  siimmei',  on 
(^>uceii  (Mia  riot  te's  Island,  .groups  of  these  animals,  consist  in  <>•  of  two  or 
more  beach  masters,  with  a  dozen  (U'  more  I'emales  and  pu[>s,  but  no 
half  ,yro\vn  males,"* 

1  lo.  Speakinji'  ol'  the  same  vicinity,  and  as  the  result  of  loiij;'  (-xiieri- 
eiici',  .Mr.  Alexander  Mackeii/ie  said  that.  Jud,niii<;'  from  the  number  of 
skins  taken,  seals  were  less  abundant  than  formerly  in  l>i\on  lOntranee, 
but  that  the  fact  must  also  be  taken  into  consideration,  that  there  were 
n(*l  now  so  many  .u'ood  Imnters  as  before  aiiioi.,ii' the  Indians,  In  ISSl-.Sli 
and  ISSL'-S.'l  many  skins  were  <xot,  but  in  the  years  since  ISSo  the  num- 
liei'  of  skins  had  bei  u  sinallei'  than  before. 


*  ''jMonii^iiipli  of  Xortii  Aiiioriciiii  l'iiiiii|ii'ils,''  p.  [\'S,i. 


REPOUT    OF   lUlITISli   COMMISSIONERS, 


117 


4KJ.  The  Iiidi.iii  Imiitcis  <»f  the  Tshimsiaii  tiilx-s  s;ty  thiit  Ix-fore  th«' 
seals  were  so  imich  hunted,  some  of  tliciii  wsi'd  to  fii\(>l)irth  to  tlieir 
young  on  roeky  islets  in  llccate  Strait,     Living  hunters  had  seen  this. 

417,  At  riella-IJella,  the,  liulian  liunters  stated  tliat  as  lonu'  as  they 
the'uselves  eouhl  iH-iueinber.  seals  were  \ei'y  abundant  in  that  vicinity. 
They  had  gradually  decreased  in  nund)er  till  alxatt  four  years  ago. 
since  which  they  had  been  moderately  abundant  foi'  three  years,  ami 
in  liSi>l,  had  shown  a  marked  increase  in  nnndter.  They  sometinu's,  but 
larely,  saw  seals,  both  male  and  female,  coming  out  on  the  rocks.  Two 
or  three  had  at  various  times  been  killed  on  slioii'. 

418.  The  Indians  of  ]S'awitti,  who  hunt  about  the  north  end  of  Van- 
couvH'i-  Island,  had  no  c(<m|)laint  to  make  of  scacity  of  seals.  They 
said,  on  the  contrary,  that  the  hunting  further  at  sea  by  schooners 
had,  they  thought,  dri\('u  the  seals  into  the  entrance  of  (i)ueen  Char- 
lotte Sound  in  gr<'atei'  nunil>ers  than  i)efore.  They  had  occasionally 
seen  seals  of  diiferent  ages  sleeping  on  the  I'oi-ks. 

41!),  At  Clayo(inot  Sound,  on  the  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island, 
seals  were  said  to  have  been  very  numerous  long  ago,  but  to  have  been 
seen  in  smaller  nund)ers  foi-some  ten  oi-  lift  ecu  years  past.  At  Ahouset, 
also  in  ('layocjnot  Soun<l,  the  Imlians  said  they  had  never  seen  or  heard 
of  seals  coming  ashore  to  breed,  or  for  any  other  pu\i)ose. 

4l.'(»,  At  Neah  Hay,  near  Cape  I'Mattery ."the  Indians  stated  that  the 
seals  seen  by  them,  in  that  vicinity,  are  now  fewer  and  more  wary  than 
before,  ami  more  diflicult  to  kill.  They  have  never  seen  even  a  single 
seal  on  the  rocks,  but  always  at  s(-a, 

421,  deferring  to  the  same  i)lace.  .ludge  .1,  (!.  Swan  writes,  in  ISSO, 
that  between  l^'u  and  LSdti  seals  were  very  few.  but  that  since  that 
time  they  had  appeared  in  iiii;cli  lar.uer  numbers.* 

4L'2.  Mr.  K.  Finlayson  and  Mr.  T. '^bdlat.  both  long  identified  with 
the  Hudson's  Hiiy  Comi»anyon  the\N  est  Coast,  believe  that  the  fur  seals 
became  notably  more  numerous  in  the  Avaters  adjacent  to  the  coast  of 
IJritish  Cobnnbia  about  the  tinu'  the  Alaska  ( '<tnnnercial  Company 
obtained  possession  of  tlu-  I'ribyhilV  Islands.  This  they  attribute  t<» 
some  difference  in  the  mode  of  ea])lnre  practised  on  tliese  islands,  in 
couse(iuence  of  which  the  seals  changed  their  former  habits.  Captain 
liryant  has  also  ])articid;,!  ly  referred  t(»  the  abundance  of  fur  seals 
along  the  coastof  Oregon.  Wiuliington.  and  Uritish  Colund)ia  in  ISliit.f 

4l';}.  Some  years  in  which  exceptionally  large  numbeis  of  seals  have 
been  noted  along  various  parts  of  flie  coast  of  I'.ritish  ('olund)ia  are 
referred  to  in  other  ])arts  of  this  rejiort.     (Sic  i)articidarly  ^  2L'.">.) 

424.  On  arother  ]>;i.ue.  and  in  connection  with  the  subject  of  the 
7(i  migrations  ami  liabi'at  (»f  l  he  fur  seal.  Mr.  J.  W.  Mackay  has  been 
cited  with  reference  to  the  former  abundance  of  seals  upon  the 
southern  part  of  Vancouver  Island.  His  inlbrnmnts  on  this  point  were 
old  Indian  hunters  of  the  Songis,  Sookc.  and  'flalum  tribes,  inhabiting 
the  adjacent  coasts.  The  following  additional  statements  by  the  saim- 
gentleman,  from  their  bearing  on  clian.i;es  in  hal>its  of  the  seal,  may 
appropriately  be  im'lnded  here:  ••The  Indians  above  quoted  stated  that 
the  fur-seal  bred  on  the  IJace  I  Jocks,  on  Smilii's  Island  ( \\'asliingt(tn), 
and  on  several  islands  of  the  (Inlf  of  (ieorgia.  They  used  to  inive  their 
young  to  within  a  recent  period  t)n  the  Haystack  Islands,  oil  ( 'ape  Scott. 
Vancouver  Jshuul.     It  is  piobable  that  a  few  individuals  still  breed 

*"Fisli('ry  Iiuliistii(M  of  the  I  iiiti'd  Stiiti's,"  vol,  ii,  ]i.  :!!I4, 
t  "  Moiio^iapli  of  Noitli  Aiiiiiiciii  l'iimi|)('<Is,"  p.  li.li;. 


118 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMIi^SIONERS. 


tlicrc,  tlu's(i  islands  beiii.u'  very  iiiiic<('ssibl(;  to  siiiall  ciift  on  acoonnt  of 
tlu'  struiij;  tides  and  cross  cinrciits  wliicli  prc^vail  in  tlieir  ucigliboiir- 
liood." 

]\Ii'.  Mackay's  autliority  for  tlu;  tlrst  ])art  of  tlic  al)ove  stalcnicnt  arc 
the  Indians  i)r('viously  referred  to,  and  tli<'  matter  must  even,  at  tlie 
eaily  date  ut  Avhi(di  Mr.  iMackay  lirst  knew  them,  have  become  tra- 
ditional. 

42."),  Tnder  the  liea(b"njiof  Migrations  and  liange  (§  171  cf  scq.),  sufli- 
cient  alhision  to  the  former  al)un(binee  of  fur-seals  on  the  Californiau 
coast,  and  to  their  breeding  jthiees  there,  now  apparently  abandoned, 
has  been  made.  J'urther  particuilars  may  be  found  in  8canimon\s  work 
and  el.sewhere. 

4'J(»,  From  the  forejioinj;'  notes,  it  amy  be  gathered  that  the  increasing 
timidity  of  the  fiu' seal  iiaseaused  it  almost  completely  to  abandon  its 
orifiinal  habit  of  (xu-asionaliy  landini>'  elsewiiere  ti)an  on  the  main  breed- 
iuii  islands,  and  has  led,  besides,  to  the  probably  (complete  abandonment 
of  certain  local  breedinj^'  places  where  small  nmnbers  of  seals  resorted 
in  former  years.  iS'ot  only  sc;,  but  the  seals  now  slniu  more  than  ever 
the  entii(!  vicinity  of  the  coast,  and  are  found  at  sea  in  undiminished 
quantity  only  by  the  ]>elaj;ic  seah'rs,  whose  operations  do  not  dei»end 
on  pi'oximily  to  the  land.  Tlie  same  instinct  has  its  etT'ecit  also  on  tiie 
breeding  islands,  to  tiie  continuous  harassinj;'  of  tlie  seals  upon  wliich 
its  growth  is  doubtless  in  large  part  due.  On  the  islands,  it  shows  itself 
particularly  in  the  late  arrival,  short  stay  upon,  or  continued  avoidanc(>, 
of,  the  shores  by  those  seals  not  actually  engaged  in  breeding;  as  well 
as  in  eriatic  variations  in  jjroportional  numbers  of  seals  of  dilferent 
classes  at  various  seasons.  These  changes  (;annot  be  wholly  attributed 
to  the  operations  of  the  sea  sealeis,  for  though  not  so  striking  on  the 
Commander  Islands  as  ujxin  the  Piibylolf  Islands,  they  are  still  (»bserv- 
able  there,  though  the  contingent  of  seals  visiting  these  islands  belong 
as  a  whole  to  a  dilferent  migration-tract,  which  has  scarcely  as  yet  been 
toiiche(l  by  i)elagic  sealeis. 

4l'7.  The  fact  that  the  breeding  islands  are  now  inhabited  by,  man,  is 
in  itself  an  anomaly,  and  i)articularly  so  when  tlu'  ])rote(tion  of  the 
seals  on  these  islands  is  combined  with  the  icijuirements  of  a  huge 
annual  slaughter.  Such  circumstances  need  to  be,  hedged  about  with 
most  rigorous  precautions,  in  order  that  they  nnty  remain  compatible 
Avith  the  continuous  pinsiterity  of  seal  life.  More  care  is  taken  in  this 
respect  on  the  Commander  than  on  the  rriI)ylotf  Islands,  but  even  there 
improvement  seems  ])(>ssible  On  the  CcMMMUinder  Islands,  great  pre- 
cautions are  observed  to  pre\'ent  the  smell  of  smoke  reaching  the  rook- 
ery grounds,  particularly  early  in  the  season,  when  the  seals  lirst  huid. 
Coal-oil  is  used  for  cooking  in  the  houses  near  the  rookeries  at  this 
season,  and  all  tires  are  quenched  wln-n  the  smoke  blows  in  the  diiec- 
tion  of  the  rookeries.  Hmoking  is  not  permitted  near  the  rookery 
grounds,  and  no  one  is  allowed  in  their  vicinity  (unless  for  purposes  of 
collecting  a  drive)  but  tlie  sai»erintendent  of  the  island  or  the  loreman 
in  charge  of  fln^  rook<'i'ies, 

42.S.  There  are.  however,  in  addition  to  actual  fear  and  the  instin<'t 
of  self- preservation,  other  causes  which  now  rem  lei'  the  breeding  islands, 
and  particularly  the  Prib\lolf  Islands,  less  contimiouslv  tlu'  resort  of 
seals  than  formerly.  Cliiei'  among  these  is  the  paucity  of  virile  males, 
Miiicli  makes  I  he  islands  less  alt  ractive  to  the  females,  and.  Ix'sidvs,  has 
I'csulted  in  the  existence  of  a  large  and  increasing  class  of  barren 
females,  which  do  not  find  lliemselves  uinU'r  the  necessity  of  seeking 
the  shore. 


REPriRT    OF    lUJlTISII    COMMI8SK)NKRS. 


119 


1 

tof 

mr- 

arc 

tlie 

tiii- 

utli- 

ijaii 
H'd, 

ork 

its 

L'Od- 

leiit 

•ti'd 

'ver 

hod 

end 

the 

lic'h 

self 

mco 

well 

•eiit 

I  ted 

the 

eiv- 

oiifi' 

)eeii 

M,  is 

tlie 

ir.ye 
vitli 

il.le 

this 

lere 

I»ie- 

uok- 

Uld. 

this 

rec- 

very 

'S  ot 

man 

inct 

nds, 

■t  of 

des, 

has 

ireii 

dug 

420.  On  tills  jioiiit.  s])eakin<;'  of  an  early  <late  in  the  history  of  the 
islands,  Veiiianiinor  writes:  ••  This  opinion  is  founded  on  the  tiu-t  that 
never  (except  in  one;  year,  IS.'iU)  have,  an  excessive,  niunber  of  females 
been  seen  without  youii;Li';  that  cows  not  ]»re<'iiant  scarcely  ever  come 
to  the  J'rihylolf  Islands:  that  such  females  cannot  bo  seen  every 
year."'* 

4'M).  To  this  may  he  added  the  probable  circumstance,  that  the  con- 
stantly harassed  and  now  nuich  reduced  number  of  younj^'  but  already 
virile  males,  nu-et  thefenuiles  nutre  commonly  than  before  at  sea. 
77  431.  The  occurrence  of  increased  nuudx-rs  of  barren  females 

luis  been  more  i)reclsely  noted  on  the  Commander  Islands  than 
upon  the  I'ribylotf  Islands,  pn»bably  because,  as  the  restdt  of  a  better 
system  of  protection  there,  these  animals  still  come  t<i  tlu^  lookery 
grounds  instead  of  staying  at  sea.  In  1<S!M,  a  large  nund)er  of  fenudes 
were  observed  to  be  without  young  both  on  Behring  and  C(>pper 
Islands. 

432.  Jii  the  eastern  ]>art  of  tin;  North  I'acinc,  the  increased  number 
of  barren  females  has  principally  been  observed  by  jielagic  sealers. 
Their  statements  on  this  subject,  wlu'ther  those  already  ])ubllshed  or 
those  obtained  by  ourselves  in  conversation,  are  of  course  of  a  general 
kiiul,  but  they  siu)w  tlmt  while  barren  females  are  more  connuon  than 
before  to  the  south  of  JJehring  Sea,  nearly  all  the  adult  fenuiles  got  In 
IJehring  Sea  itself  are  of  this  class.  Tlu^  Imlian  hunters  of  the  (Jueen 
Charlotte's  Islands,  nion'over,  lid'ormed  us,  without  being  specially 
questioned  on  the  subject,  that  years  ago  the  ienmles  killed  by  them 
were  always  with  young,  but  that  this  was  now  no  longer  the  case. 
Mr.  A.  .Alacken/ie,  of  the  same  place,  stated  that  about  two  thirds  only 
of  the  fenudes  killed  were  with  young. 

433.  Upon  the  I'ribylott'  Islands  in  1S!>1,  we  did  iKtt  ourselves  note 
any  great  abundance  of  barren  leniales,  but  the  facts  in  this  nuitter 
wouhl  be  scarcely  ai)i)arent  to  those  not  intimat'ly  <!onnected  with  the 
rookeries  for  nu)re  than  a  slngh;  year.  lu  hisolfu'lal  report  on  the  con- 
dition of  the  islaiuls  In  IS'.K),  Mv.  Klliott  states  that  there  were  then 
250,000  fenudes  •'iu)t  bearing,  or  not  served  last  year  and  this,"  but  he 
does  iu)t  explain  in  what  way  tliis  nunu'rical  estimate  was  arrived  at.t 

434.  One  direct  result  <d'  a  i)aiu'lty  of  virile  nuiles.  Is  to  bring  about 
an  irregularity  and  change  ol  dates  in  the  events  of  seal  life,  which  is 
especially  notable  upon  tlu^  breeding  islands  in  an  unwonted  absence  of 
the  usual  ju'ecislou  and  simnltauei»usness  lu  these  events.  Instances 
of  this  are  found  In  the  recorded  history  of  the  I'ribylol'f  Islands,  else- 
where cited,  and  facts  of  the  same  kind  are  again  markedly  apitareut  at 
the  present  time.  Such  irreiiularities  follow  from  the  clr(Himstance  that 
the  period  of  gestation  of  the  female  is  nearly  twelvemonths  in  length; 
and  that  tlu'refoic  any  want  of  jtromptitude  in  reimjuegiiation  carries 
the  time  of  birth  on  to  a  date  later  tiiau  usual  In  the  following  year.  It 
is  easy  to  se(^  that  such  delay  having  oncc^  occurred,  the  fenmle,  under 
the  most  favbuiable  circumstances,  can  only  re\ert  gradually  and  after 
several  years  to  her  original  lime;  and  that  by  a  recunence  of  delays 
in  impregiuitiou  the  change  of  time  will  not  (udy  be  carried  on  from  year 
to  year,  but  must  gradually  dejtart  more  and  more  from  the  iu)rmal  date. 
One  lmi)ortant  elfect  of  the  resulting  late  birth  of  the- y<»ung  Is  to  ren- 
der these  nnu!h  more  than  otherwise  open  to  <langer  of  \  arious  kinds, 
not  only  to  that  resulting  from  inclement  and  stormy  autumn  weather 

•  Qiintcfl  in  l^nitiMl  StatcH  ('ciisus  IJcjiort,  p.  141, 
ti'urliaiiieiitiiry  I'liixT  [C.  UUliSJ,  p.  61. 


J 


120 


REI'Olir    OF    HRITISir    COMMISSIONERS. 


occurring  while  tlicy  an^  yet  too  youii};'  to  witlistaiid  it,  but  also  from 
thccircninshiiicc  tliiit  tliey  must  delay loiij;pr  ui)on  the  brccdiny-  islands, 
and  must  i)crliai»8  iu  the  end  leave  these  islaiuls  before  their  stren.ntli 
is  suflicient  for  the  lonj"'  soutiiern  Journey. 

4."?").  The  best  account  of  the  nature  of  such  changes  in  earlier  years 
is  that  given  by  Jlryant,  which  is  elsewhere  (luoted  in  abstract,  Tlie 
(ihanges  now  ai)i)arenton  the  rookery  grounds  of  the  i'ribylotf  Islands, 
as  com))ared  with  the  i)reviously  desciibed  state  of  these  grounds,  and 
as  pointed  out  by  those  familiar  with  them,  are  chielly  of  the  following 
kinds: 

430.  A  general  decrease  in  the  numlx'r  of  seals,  which  is  most 
marked  in  thedisproportionally  small  number  of  holluschickie  or  males 
of  an  age  of  less  than  abcmt  tJ  years.  Allusion  has  already  been  nuule 
to  this  in  connection  with  the  marked  increase  iu  size  of  the  "harems" 
or  cows  held  by  a  single  adult  bull,  iu  late  years.  It  is  also  strikingly 
apparent  when  the  i)resent  conditions  are  contrasted  with  the  (les(;rip- 
tions  of  former  years,  in  which  the  half-grown  but  already  virile  bulls 
are  rei)resented  as  haunting  the  vicinity  of  the  breeding  rookeries  in 
great  luuubers,  and  constantly  struggling  to  meet  the  females  ui>on 
them,  or  in  the  margin  of  the  adjacent  sea.  It  is  further  iiulicated, 
and  very  delinitely,  by  tlu'  jtractical  iini)ossibility  of  pr(»curing  more 
than  21, (too  luale  skins  in  1S!)0,  though  every  exertion  was  made  to  do 
so,  and  the  standards  in  weiglit  of  skins  were  greatly  lowered,  in  order 
to  allow  the  inclusion  of  very  young  males.  Tiiis  etfort  was  contini\t'd 
till  it  became  i)atent  to  the  (loverument  ollicers  in  charge  that  il  was 
nseless  and  cruel  to  allow  it  to  go  further,  because  of  the  very  iargc 
and  constantly  increasing  nMnd)ers  ol'  non  killable  seals  whicli  wen^ 
driven  and  redriven  to  the  killing  grounds,  in  order  to  obtain  a  few 
])assablc  skins.  On  this  subject  it  may  be  well,  however,  to  allow 
these  otlicers  who  witnessed  and  superintended  those  killings  to  speak 
for  themselves. 

4.'57.  Mr.  O,  J.  (iolf  says;  "Heretofore,  it  was  seldom  that  more 
78  than  !."»  ]ier  cent,  of  all  the  seals  driven  the  latter  part  of  June 
and  the  first  few  days  in  July  were  too  snuiU  to  be  killed;  but 
this  season  the  case  was  reversed  [notwithstanding  the  lowering  of 
standards],  and  in  many  instances  SO  to  So  ])er  cent,  were  turned  away 
.  .  .  The  season  closed  on  the  L'Oth  July,  and  the  drives  in  July 
show  a  decided  increase  in  the  percentages  of  small  seals  turned  away, 
and  a  decrease  in  the  killables  over  the  drives  in  .lune,  demonstrating 
conclusively  I  hat  there  weie  but  few  killable  seals  arriving,  and  that 
the  larger  ])art  of  those  returning  were  the  pu]>s  of  last  year,"'* 

4.58,  ('((loiu'l  J,  Murray  gives  an  account  of  a  nu'cting  of  the  natives 
held  for  discussion  in  the  sanu'  year  and  long  continued,  after  which — 
'' They  unanimously  declared  that  it  was  their  firm  belief  and  honest 
opiinon  that  the  seals  have  diminished,  and  would  continue  to  diminish 
fi'om  yeai'  to  year,  because  all  the  male  seals  had  been  slaughtered 
without  allowing  any  to  come  to  maturity  for  use  upon  the  breeding 
grounds;"  he  adds;  "I  am  now  fully  conviiu'cd  by  peisonal  observa- 
tion that  it  is  only  too  true,  ami  tlnit  the  luitives  were  correct  in  everj' 
particular,'' t 

43!),  Captain  A.AV.  Lavender  says;  "  The  writer  was  surprised  when 
he  first  visited  tlu^  rookeries  to  lind  no  young  bull  seals  upon  them;  this 
loidvcd strange  to  hiu),  an<l  he  began  to  look  uj)  thecause,and  it  occurred 
to  him  that  the  constant  driving  of  young  male  seals,  and  the  killing  of 
all  the  -  ;{-  4-  ami  ."i-year  olds,  that  there  were  no  young  bulls  left  to  go  on 


*  Souato,  Ex.  Due.  Nu.  id,  Slut  CoiigiosH,  2ud  IScssiou,  p.  4. 


t  Ibid.,  p.  8. 


KliPOUT    OF    mtlTISH    COHMISSIONKHS. 


121 


to  the  rooUeiies,  and  without  yonii}?  blood  the  fur-seal  iiulustry  will  be 
sonietiiiiij;'  of  the  i)a.st  in  a  very  lew  years."* 

440.  Mr.  \V.  11.  Kliiott,  in  his  otllcial  report  for  1S!M>,  remarks  to  the 
same  elfeet  on  the  exhaustion  of  tlii^  supply  of  yoiin.u  male  seals,  and 
their  reduction  to  a  "scant  tenth  of  their  number  in  l.S7L!-74."t 

441.  It  is  further  noticed  on  tiie  islands  thii.t  the  rookeiies  are  more 
scattered  and  less  delinite  in  outliiie  than  in  tbrmer  years,  and  that  the 
reniaininj;"  holluschickie  tend  to  lie  (ilose  to  the  rookery  edyes  for  i)ro- 
tection,  a  circumstance  which  materially  adds  to  tlu'  diniculty  of  col- 
leetinji'  drives  without  unduly  distuibinj^'  the  l)n'cdinf;' seals. 

442.  It  is  also  uenerally  achnitted  that  the  dates  of  arrival  of  the  seals 
at  the  islands,  and  esjjecially  that  of  the  ariival  of  the  females,  is  hecom- 
inji'  on  the  avera«;e  later  each  year.  It  is  diilicult  to  arrive  at  a  precise 
statement  on  this  subject,  for  obvious  reasons,  but  some  authoiities 
jylacethe  avera.ye  delay  in  arrival  of  females  as  comi>ared  with  earlier 
years  at  as  mucli  as,  or  more  than,  two  w<'eks. 

44;5.  On  the  Commander  Islands,  where  tins  ollicers  in  charj^e  were 
found  ready  to  afford  all  infornnition  on  such  points  with  the  utmost 
frankness,  it  has  likewise  been  noted  that  the  seals  now  arrive  some- 
what later  than  fornu'rly.  In  LSIU,  seals  capabh'  of  yielding''  1(>  and  12 
])ound  skins  were  about  a  week  later  than  usual  in  reachinjj-  r»ehrin<^ 
Island,  and  the  killing,  which  on  C'o])per  Island  ji'enerally  begins  about 
the  1st  .lune,  did  not  begin  in  ISill  till  the  L'L'nd  dune. 

444.  Various  other  irregularities  have  also  been  noticed  in  late  years 
in  or  about  the  Comnnimler  Islands,  Thus,  in  1S!)0,  there  wer«'  ratlnu' 
few  holluschickie,  and  females  api)eared  in  smaller  numbers.  Again,  it 
Avas  remarked  particularly  on  (./op[)er  Island,  that  though  there  had 
been  a  large  nund)er  of  young  born  in  1H*.H),  yearlings  ciime  ashore  in 
markedly  small  numbers  ill  JSiU.  The  natives  i>rolessed  themselves 
unable  to  account  for  this,  but  it  is  almost  certain  that  the  yearlings, 
in  conse(pienee  of  the  unusually  severe  onslaught  made  on  the  seals  in 
18!t((,  had  simply  remained  at  sea.  This  explanation  is  supi»orted  by 
the  observation,  that  an  unusually  large  number  of  scattered  seals 
Avere  reported  at  sea  between  Hehring  Island  and  the  coasts  of  Kam- 
schatka  and  Siberia,  in  ISill,  by  the  vessels  belonging  to  the  K'ussian 
(lovernment  and  Company.  In  1S!I0,  again,  ac(;ording  to  .Mr.  Tillman, 
an  unusual  event  occurred  in  the  arrival  of  a  number  of  hollnschiekio 
and  mature  bulls  (piite  fat,  afcCopi)er  Island,  in  August.  His  conjec- 
ture was  that  these  might  have  come  from  the  I'ribylolf  Ishuuls,  but  it 
is  possible  that  these  seals  had  merely  remained  fishing  at  sea  until 
this  exceptioiiidly  late  date. 

44r).  The  general  elfeet  of  these  changes  in  habits  of  tlie  seals  is  to 
minimize  the  nund)er  to  be  seen  at  any  one  I  inieon  the  breeding  islands, 
while  the  a\ crage  number  to  be  found  at  sea  is  at  least  proporiionately, 
though,  perhiips,  in  face  of  a  gent'ral  decr<'ase  in  total  nund)er  of  seals, 
not  absolutely  increased.  The  regularity  of  the  routes  of  migration  has 
no  doubt  been  also  to  some  extent  interfered  with,  and  it  seems  i)roba- 
ble  that  the  seals  may  now  be  more  widely  scattered  at  sea  both  in 
their  winter  and  summer  habitats  tiian  formerly. 

41(i.  As  to  the  eventual  results  of  such  changes  in  habits,  if  i)erpetu- 

ated  and  increiised  by  the  continued  and  further  effect  oi'  the 

79        causes  referred   to,  it  is  evident  that  they  must  ultimately  he 

injurious  to  all  industries  based  en  the  capture  of  the  fur-seal. 

It  is  ])robable  that  the  seals  might  altogether  cease  to  fre(iuent  their 

present  breeding  grounds  in  mass,  and  instead,  as  Las  been  recorded 


^i 


122 


REPORT    OF    HRITISM    COMMISSIONKKS. 


ill  the.  I-'iilkhiiitl  Jtiid  otla'i-  islaiids  in  the  SontlKTii  Hcinisjiliero,  scatter 
out  t(»  loiiii  siiiiill  ii  Tcj^iiliir  <'(»l()iii(»s  heiicatli  clin's  or  rocks  which  are 
jiractically  iiiac<-('ssil)h^  to  man.  'I'hcy  would  tluis  doubt  I<iss  iiiaiiaf>e  to 
perpetuate  their  species,  but  the  numbers  mi;iht  be  very  much  reduced, 
so  that  tile  skins  woiihl  cease  to  be  a  factor  of  (tommercial  importance. 
Tiie  continued  ])rosperity  of  seal  life  re(|uires.  from  'ts  peculiar  features, 
abovM)  all  thinjis,  coin]>]ete  rej^ularity  and  protect  on  on  the  breediiifi^ 
])hices,  and,  deprived  of  these  advaiilaj4es,  it  lies  open  to  many  acvi- 
dents  and  failures,  which  must  affect  it  more  picjudicially  than  can  be 
determined  from  tlu'  actual  numerical  amount  of  the  slaiijihter  for 
skins.  The  extract  Irom  Scammon's  work,  (juoted  in  i»araj;rapli  3Ul),  is 
to  the  point  in  this  connection. 

(I*.) — Fur-Ne((ls  Hreedimi  on  the  Southern  Vart  of  the  North  American 

Coast. 

447.  It  is  evident  that  many  years  ajio  a  considerable  number  of  fnr- 
seals  bred  in  various  |)laces  alonji'  the  western  coast  of  2S'orth  America, 
and  probable  that  the  seals  so  breedinj?  did  not  take  any  part  in  the 
mifiiation  of  the  laijicr  body  to  Behriim'  Sea.  Statements  previously 
quoted  respecting'  the  fur  seals  of  the  ("alilninian  coast  show  this,  and 
the  traditions  of  the  Indians  of  the  coast  of  Uritish  Columbia,  |»arti<v 
iilarly  those  relatin<;  to  Ivace  IJocks  and  Smith's  Islaiul,  ai)i)ear  to  have 
the  same  meaning;'.  .ludye  J.  (J.  Swan  has  also  collected  much  evidence 
to  the  same  ellect,  with  particular  reference  to  the  vicinity  of  Cap- 
Flattery,  which  maybe  found  detailed  in  the  "Fishery  Industries  of 
the  I'nited  States"  "(vol.  ii,  p.  ;«Ui),  and  in  the  '' lUilletin"  of  the  United 
States  l''ish  ('ommission "'  (vol.  iii,  ]>.  201).  Some  of  his  observations 
we  have  been  unable  to  conlirm,  but  the  statements  siiu^e  obtained  from 
]\Ir.  .1.  VV.  Maekay  j^o  far  to  prove  that,  in  still  earlier  years  than  those 
relent  d  to  l>y  Judtic  Swan,  a  certain  number  of  seals  rej;ularly  occupied 
eert'aii  breeilinj;'  places  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Straits  of  ru<a. 

448.  Once  established,  whether  on  the  Calilbrnian  or  iJritish  Colum- 
bian coasts,  such  a  lace of  southern  breedini;'  seals  must  have '"ecome 
sub-permanent;  and,  followiiij>'  the  analo^^y  of  other  rookery  grounds, 
it  is  probable  that  the  same  animals  tended  each  year  to  reoccupy  the 
same,  or  nearly  the  same,  breediiifjc  stations.  It  is  probable  that  these 
southern  breeilintj  families  may  have  been  directly  connected  with  the 
larji'er  nortlu'rn-lireedinji'  race,  and  it  is  at  least  easy  to  see  how  they 
may  hav»^  ori<>inated  and  been  recruited  from  it.  Fenniles  delayed  from 
any  cause,  and  f>ivin,n'  birth  to  their  younj;'  ahui,i;'  the  coast  to  the  south- 
ward, must  often  be  served  by  youn.u'  males,  and  irre-^ular  and  too  early 
service  may  also  occur  in  many  instances  in  the  case  of  young  females, 
or  of  those  barren  since  the  previous  year.  In  all  such  cases  of  too 
early  service,  it  would  be  impossiide  for  the  female  to  reach  the  Priby- 
lolf  Islands  in  time  for  the  birth  of  the  youiii;",  owing  to  climatic  causes. 
She  wouhl,  no  d(»ubt.  remain  with  the  other  seals  till  impelled  by  nature 
to  s(>ek  tlie  shore,  and  if  in  any  particular  year  a  considerable  number 
if  females  collected  together  for  breeding  |)ui  puses,  the  males  would 

(iibtless  soon    lind  and  follow  them,  ami,  if  undisturbed,  the  family 
'MIS  establislit'd  might  probably  return  to  the  same  i)Iace  again  in  the 
M:   \t  ensuing  year. 

44!».  'i'his  reasonable  explanation,  at  all  events,  accords  with  the  facts 
ascertained,  and.  moreover,  in  itself  appears  to  have  so  much  force, 
that  even  ai)art  from  these  facts,  it  wouhl  be  admissible  to  predicate  the 
occasional  birth  of  young  along  the  whole  extent  of  coast  frequented  by 


REPORT   OF    HRITISH    rOMMISSIONERS. 


123 


le 

'.v 
>m 

rly 

(X) 

y- 

'S. 
10 


1 


he 


tlio  fill-seal.  It  is  tuitlicr  home  out  by  tlic  actual  existeiiro  of  brccd- 
iiifi'  '.(tokerios  situated  aUm^^  or  near  to  the  iiiijiralion  loiite  of  the  fiir- 
Keal  on  the  western  side  of  the  racitie,  on  tiie  Kiirile  islands  and  on 
]^)l)l)en  Island.  These  occupy  the  same  posilinii  relatively  to  the  prin- 
cipal I»reedinj4'  places  on  the  Coiiiniander  Islands,  which  the  former 
similar  colonies  on  the  Nortli  American  coast  must  have  held  relatively 
to  the  Tribyloff  Islands,  ami  the  survival  of  the  soutiiern  <-olonie.s  on 
the  Asiatic  side  is  directly  due  to  the  less  persistent  and  less  etlieieiit 
liuntinfjby  tlie  natives  there. 

loO.  This  subject  is  in  its  nature  closely  related  to  the  forefjoing 
remarks  on  observed  chanjics  in  habits.  It  also,  however,  connects 
itself  with  thefieneral  (piestion  of  the  orijjfin  of  the  regularly  miji'i'atory 
habits  assumed  by  the  larger  number  of  the  fur-seals  of  the  North  Pacilic, 
a  question  referred  to  under  the  head  of  migrations. 

{Q.) — ConufcfioH  or  Tntcrehnmia  of  Seah  hrtirvcn  the  Prihi/lojf  (nid  ('om- 
nia inlcr  IxUduls, 

4~A,  It  is  fie(|uently  assumed  that  the  fitr-seals  inhabiting  the  whole 
Korth  Pacific  may,  from  year  to  year,  resort  almost  indifferently 
80  to  the  l'ril)yl()t1'o]- Commander  Islands  at  the  breeding  season. 
iStatemeiits  to  thisetfect  have  been  made  by  various  authorities,* 
and,  as  already  noted,  the  arrival,  in  JSiMl,  of  a  number  of  fat  hollus- 
chickie  and  adult  males  on  Copi>er  Island  was  accounted  for  by  the 
Siiiierintendent  thereon  the  hypothesis  that  they  had  migrated  thither 
from  the  I'libylolf  Islands,  though  in  reality  liis  knowledge  merely  war- 
ranted the  statement  that  h(>  did  not  know  whence  tliey  came.  Jt  has 
often  been  claimed  by  jieisoiis  interested  in  Justifying  the  methods 
jtractised  on  the  IMibylolf  Islands,  that  the  continued  abundance  of 
seals  on  the  ("omniander  Islands  is  not  due  to  greater  care  there  exer- 
cised, but  that  they  have  been  reinforced  by  accessions  from  the  Priby- 
lofi'  Islands,  induced  by  the  operations  of  jjclagic  sealers.  One  writer, 
indee<l,took  occasion,  as  early  as  1887,  to  forestall  any  adverse  criticism 
which  might  be  diiected  against  the  uK'thodsand  results  on  the  I'riby- 
lotf  Islands  and  based  on  the  diminution  of  seals  there,  by  stating,  in 
anticipation,  that  such  decrease  would  have  no  nieaiiing  unless  dis- 
cussed in  <'Oiinection  with  an  unknown  but  i)ossible  iiiciease  on  the 
Commander  Islands. t 

Ar>'2.  Wlieii  it  is  considered  that  for  twenty  years  both  groujis  of 
islands  have  been  controlled  by  a  single  Company,  whose  employe's 
were  otten  transferred  from  island  to  island,  it  is  remarkable  that  so 
little  has  been  i)laced  on  record  in  regard  to  this  jtarticular  (pu'stion, 
es])ecially  in  view  of  the  imiiortance  evidently  attached  to  it  by  the 
gentlemen  connected  with  the  Company  whose  statements  have  just 
been  referred  to.  Thoiiyh  unable  to  speak  from  personal  observations 
on  this  jtoint,  it  is  clear  tliat  the  result  of  Mr.  Klliott's  invesligati(»n 
of  the  Pril»yloll'  Islands  led  Iiini  to  believe  that  an  interrelation  existed 
between  the  seals  litMpieiil  iiig  these  islands  and  theConimaiider  Islands, 
and  that  a  familiarity  with  one  group  of  the  breeding  islands  was 
insuflicit'iit  to  enable  a  comi»lete  view  of  the  problem  to  be  arrived  at.| 

'  Si'c  Klliott.  "("oiidiliciiiof  AfVaiis  III  Alaska  "  (lS75\i).L'rii!;  Milli  r,  iroiiscof  l,'(.|i- 
resciitativi's,  IJcjioil  No.dL';!,  41111  Cnii^icss,  Ist  Session.  ]i.  15;  l{ii.\  iiitsky.  House  of 
]\'('pii's('iitalives.  l\'e|ioii  No.  Shs:;,  odtli  C'oiiuiess.  L'lid  Session.  ]>.  Iti;  W  illiains,  iliid., 
J)}).  77  and  7S;  Klliolt,  I'nitcd  Stales  Census  I't-poit.  jip.  liii  and  l.'")7. 

t  "  I'isliery  Iniliistries  of  the  riiit(Ml  States,"'  vol.  ii,  [>.  'Mi. 

tSeo  especially  1,'nited  IStalea  Census  lieiiort,  p.  (JO. 


124 


REPORT    OF    UUITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


4'h\.  Tlie  infiiiirios  and  obsorvntions  now  iiiiid*',  liowcvor,  cnoblc  it  to 
1)0,  shown  tliiit  tlic  fur  soiils  of  tlio  two  .sides  of  tlio  Norlli  I'iirilic  bcloiiin' 
in  the  main  to  practically  distinct  ini{4iati(ni  tracts,  bolli  of  wiiicli  aie 
elscwlicre  traced  ont  and  described,  and  it  is  bebevc<l  tliat  wliih'  to  a 
<'ertain  extent  transfers  of  indivicbial  seals  or  of  small  {jroups  occur, 
l)robably  every  year,  between  the  I'libylofl'  and  (Joniniajidertribes,  that 
tills  is  exceptional  lather  than  normal.  It  is  not  believed  tiiat  any 
volnntary  or  systematic  movement  of  fur  seals  takes  place  from  <»ne 
juroup  of  breedin};- islands  to  the  other,  but  it  is  |)robable  that  a  con- 
tinued harassinj;'  of  the  seals  upon  one  f>roup  mi^ht  lesnlt  in  a  course 
of  years  in  a  correspondinj;'  <;radual  accession  to  the  other  jjroup. 

454.  There  is  no  evidenc<'  whatever  to  show  that  any  considerable 
branch  of  the  seal  tribe  which  has  its  winter  home  olf  tin;  coast  of 
liritish  C!olund)ia  resorts  in  summer  to  the  Coniniaiuler  Islands,  whether 
voluntarily  or  led  thither  in  jjursnit  of  food-fishes,  and  inquiiies  alonj? 
the  Aleutian  chain  sli<)W  that  no  refjular  niifiiation  route  follows  its 
direction,  whether  to  the  north  or  south  of  the  islaiuls.  It  is  certain 
that  the  younj;'  seals  in  jioinj;  southward  from  the  I'ribylott'  Islands 
only  rarely  jjet  diifted  as  far  to  the  westwar«l  as  the  ITl'nd  meridian  of 
west  longitude,  while  Attn  Island,  on  the  IT.'ird  meridian  east,  is  n^n-er 
visited  by  youn<j-  seals,  and  theiefort!  lies  between  t!ie  rejiular  autumn 
mij^Tation-routes  of  the  seals  yoiny  from  the  Pribylolf  and  Commander 
Islands  respectively. 

455.  The  price  obtained  for  skins  from  the  Conunandei'  Islands  has 
generally  been  somewhat  lower  than  that  tor  the  I'ribylolf  skins,  but 
this  is  believed  to  result  rather  from  the  less  careful  handling  au<l 
prei)aration  of  the  Oommander  Island  skins  than  from  any  inherent 
inferiority.  Under  this  belief,  the  Alaska  Commercial  Comi)any  atone 
time,  in  1870,  sent  Mr.  J).  Webster,  their  most  experienced  foreman,  to 
the  Commander  Islands,  to  introduce  better  modes  of  treatinj;'  the  skins 
there.  M.  Grebnitsky,  however,  states  that  there  is  some  actual  }>-en<'ral 
dirt'erence  in  the  skins,  such  as  to  enable  them  to  be  distin<>uished  by 
au  ex]>ert,  and  that  he  is  informed  that  the  Commander  Ishuid  skins  are 
more  diHicnlt  to'Minhair"  in  dressin}^'.  lSnej;ilotf,  the  Aleut  foreman 
in  charjife  of  the  ]>ehrin.i>'  Island  rookeries,  Avho  had  also  been  on  the 
]'iil)yloll'  Islands  for  some  years,  stated  that  he  had  observed  that  in 
both  sexes  the  seals  on  the  Pribylotf  Islands  were  somewhat  shorter 
and  stouter  than  on  the  (,'ommander  Islands,  and  that  the  rribylolf 

seals  have  thicker  fur  and  shorter  hair  on  the  belly.  This  he 
81        attributed  to  the  circumstance  that  the  seals  stay  lon<;er  ashore 

on  the  Pribylott  Islands,  lie  said  further,  that  on  the  Com- 
mander Islands  the  females  are  larger,  and  the  mature  males,  or  "sea- 
catchie,"  often  become  nearly  white  al)ont  the  numes  Avith  age.  lie 
added  that  on  Hobben  Island,  in  Okotsk  !Sea,  the  seals  have  still  longer 
and  thicker  hair  than  on  the  Commander  Islands. 

45(».  As  there  is  a  considerable  range  of  individualdiversity.  i)articu- 
larly  in  colouration,  among  the  seals  of  any  single  locality,  it  would 
require  much  longer  and  more  detailed  exaunnalion  than  we  ourselves 
were  able  to  make,  to  vt'rily  these  statements;  but  it  ai)pears  to  bo 
l)robable  that  there"  is  actually  a  slight  general  varietal  difference  as 
l)etween  the  tribes  frequenting  the  two  ])rinci])al  groiijjs  of  breeding 
islands,  whether  this  is  due  to  causes  such  as  those  above  referred  to 
or  other  circumstances.  The  amount  of  interconnection  between  the 
two  groups  is  doubtless,  liowever,  sullicient  to  i)revent  any  very  strik- 
ing or  permanent  peculiarities  even  of  a  varietal  rank  to  grow  up. 


REPORT    Ol'-    IJKITlsn    COMMISSIONERS. 


125 


457.  Sonic  evidence  not  witliout  in>i)Oitiinee  in  tliis  eonne«'tioM  is 
iillonled  Ity  ii  conipiirison  of  the  (liii.uranis  elsewhere  j;iven  and  repre- 
sent iiiji"  tlie  iMunber  of  seals  killed  eaeli  year  on  the  two  fjronps  of 
islands.  Th(»n<j;h  allected  by  other  causes  as  well,  this  nund>er  may  be 
taken  in  a  very  general  way  as  a  record  of  the  state  of  the  ro<d\eries  as 
ii  whole,  and  the  coiri'spoiidence  ol  the  lines  in  the  two  <lia};ranis  is 
thus  si<>iu<icant  of  connection  or  of  co-operatinj;'  causes. 

(R.) — Condition.^  affvvtituj  the  Smottcr  (iml  Sea-coic,  contrasted  with  those 

nffecthuj  the  Fur-seal. 

45(S.  It  has  often,  but  incorrei^tly.  been  state<l  that  the  fur-seal  of  the 
North  Pacitic  is  in  danj^er  of  ''exterinination''  if  i\»easures  be  not  taken 
to  preserve  it.  Tiie  (piestion  is,  however,  not  one  <»f  externunation,  if 
by  that  term  the  extinction  of  the  species  is  meant.  The  brcediu};-  Col- 
onies of  the  analogous  species  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  once 
exjdoited  and  harried  in  every  conceivable  way,  and  without  law  or 
hindrance  of  any  kind  for  over  lifty  years,  chielly  by  New  En<>land  ves- 
sels, have,  in  no  known  instance,  been  absolutely  destroyed,  Lon^; 
before  the  point  of  extermination  is  reached  the  kiiliufj  of  the  seals,  by 
whatever  method  practised,  ceases  to  pay.  Extermination  is  linan- 
cially  impossil)le,  and  therefore  need  not  be  feared.  This  is  well  enoujiii 
understood  by  those  best  informed  on  the  subject,  and  it  is  no  senti- 
mental dread  of  the  extinction  of  a  species  which  appeals  to  the  ima.ui- 
natiou  of  the  j)ersons  immediately  interested  in  the  breeding:  islands, 
but  rather  the  practical  destruction  of  their  prolitabl<>  monoindy  of  the 
sealing  business  of  the  North  Pacific.  Depletion,  or  great  reduction  in 
numbers,  together  with  changes  in  habits  of  life,  such  as  have  been 
already  indicated,  are  sure  to  be  the  result  of  continuous  indiscriminate 
and  unrestricted  slaughter  and  liunting  of  the  fur-seal,  but  not  exter- 
nunation. To  lu'ccisely  what  point  the  diminution  in  numbers  of  the 
fur-seal  might  go  before  the  increased  average  i)riceof  the  skins  ceased 
to  compensate  for  the  reduced  aggregate  nund)er  taken,  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  say,  but  that  such  a  point  would  eventually  be;  reactlied  is  proved 
by  all  experience.  This  exi)eiiment,  iiowever,  it  is  hoped,  is  one  which 
need  not  be  tried,  for,  as  already  made  apparent,  the  fur-seal,  by  the 
nature  of  its  life  and  habits,  otl'eis  jjcculiar  facilities  for  the  exer(!is«>  of 
a  rational  protection  under  which  it  nniy  remain  a  source  of  ])rotit  to 
the  hunter,  while  at  the  same  time  atlbrding  a  continuous  yield  of  skins 
intrinsically  valuable. 

4ol).  Fi'om  this  point  of  view,  the  sea-otter  {Enhydra  marina)  is  an 
interesting-  case  in  i)oint.  This  animal  has  i)layed  a  prominent  part  in 
the  discovery  and  history  of  the  North  Pacific.  Its  skin  was  highly 
valued  long  before  that  of  the  fur-seal  was  consi(h'red  of  any  worth, 
and  owing  to  its  intrinsic  value  as  an  article  of  dress,  its  cost  has  con- 
tinued to  increase  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  with  its  increasing  scarcity, 
so  that  at  the  i)resent  time  skins  of  tlie  first  (|nality  are  worth  in  London 
700  to  1,00()  dollars  each.  Surely,  if  it  were  ])ossible  to  exterminate  a 
fur-bearings  animal  of  this  kind,  the  sea  otter  should  long  ago  have  met 
with  that  fate,  yet  it  has  been  hunted  for  more  than  a  hundred  years, 
and  is  still  a  chief  object  of  ])ursnit  of  many  hundreds  of  natives. 

4G0.  Originally,  this  animal  frequented  a  large  part  of  the  west 
coast  of  North  America,  together  with  the  east  coast  of  Asia,  and  all 
parts  of  the  Aleutian,  Prii)ylotl',  Commander,  and  other  islands.  Its 
limits  have  now  been  much  reduced,  so  that  it  is  rarefy  found  on  the 
coast  of  Pritish  Columbia  or  anywhere  to  the  south  of  Sitka,  and  has 


126 


RKPORT    OK    nUJTISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


altofjctlior  clisiippcarcd  from  Mic  I'libylolV  Islniids,  wliih^  on  tlio  Asintic 
i'Oiist  it  lias  siniilnrly  ceased  to  be  a  :n  itter  of  ('oiiiiiiei'<'ial  interest  in  tlie 
Kiirile  Nhind  e.liaiii.  Altlioiijili  in  llie  early  pari  (»f  the  in<'seiit  eentiuy 
it  was  taken  by  thousands  in  eertaiii  localities,  a  lew  linndreds 
82  are  now  considered  an  excellent  catch  for  a consideiable  district. 
It  is  to  be  renieinbered  that  tiie  diminution  of  the  sea otlei'  has 
been  the  lesult  solely  of  operations  conducted  from  the  shore.  In  the 
ohl  days  I  he  oiler  was  clubbed,  speared,  or  shot  on  tlu^  beaches,  and 
afterwards  iVoui  sialics  or  from  canoes  closi-alonji' tlie  rocks  and  beaches. 

4(11.  The  sea  oiler  possesses,  hnwever,  one  important  advantaj;e  over 
the  fur-seal  in  the  nalnic  of  its  procreation.  Tiie  younj;'  are  born  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year  and  not  simultaneously,  ami  it  is  not  necessary 
for  this  animal  to  n'soil  in  lar.i;('  numbers  to  )>articular  bicedin;;  places, 
or  to  remaiM  <ui  or  about  such  places  for  any  considerable  time.  Its 
disadvantajics  as  compared  with  the  fur  seal  are  that  it  is  not  properly 
a  ix'liiuii;  animal  Iccdinji  upon  mi;4iatory  fishes,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
subsists  chietly  uixm  sea  urchins,  uKdluscs,  and  (tther  such  creatures, 
which  are  only  to  be  obtaiui'd  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  shores 
and  their  adjoiiiinji'  rocky  i)atches  and  kelp  beds. 

-I(»2.  As  a  result  of  its  diminishing;  numbers,  and  the  {greater  activity 
of  the  hunters,  it  has  within  historic^  times  not  only  greatly  increased 
in  wariness,  but  has  also  very  markedly  chauifed  its  habits  iu  dii  "(ttions 
similar  to  those  in  which  a  (diauiie  has  already  bec<>me  observable  iu 
the  case  of  the  fui- seal.  In  earlier  years,  it  frc(|uented  \he  rocky  shores, 
and  was  freipiently  found  on  the  land,  forming'  in  some  instances  ver- 
itable colonies  or  "rookeries,"  comparabh'  in  some  resjjeets  with  those 
of  the  fur-seal.  The  young  in  those  days  wer(>  i)robably  always  born 
on  shore,  and  it  seems  furtlier  probable,  thouuh  not  proven,  that  many 
of  the  socailcd  "kitchen  middens"  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  composed 
almost  entirely  of  the  shells  of  trIiiiiKs,  and  attributed  by  Dall  to  the 
pre  historic  Aleuts,  really  owe  their  origin  to  such  prehistoric  sea-otter 
colonies.  At  the  i>resent  time,  il  has  become  an  event  of  extreme  rarity 
to  see  a  sea  otter  anywhere  on  those  shores,  and.  so  far  as  the  natives 
Avho  spend  their  lives  in  hunting  the  aninml  can  ascertain,  the  young; 
are  now  almost  always  brought  forth  on  Uoating  umsses  of  kelp. 

403.  The  sea-otter,  in  fad.  ai>pears,  as  the  result  of  persistent  iiunting 
and  of  the  elforts  and  instinct  to  elude  pursuit,  to  have  reached  a  ]H-ac- 
tically  irreducible  miiiimni>>,  at  which  it  is  likely  to  remain  unchanged 
unless  new  factors  enter  into  the  problem. 

4<!4.  The  non-pelagi(!  character  of  the  sea-otter,  however,  renders  its 
protection  a  matter  of  comjKvrative  faitility  as  contrasted  with  the  fur- 
seal.  A  strict  ])reservation,  for  instance,  on  the  Sannakh  Islands,  which 
still  constitute  one  of  its  remaining  favourite  haunts,  would,  without 
doubt,  result  within  a  few  years  in  tliis  group  being  restocked  with  an 
abundance  of  sea-otters. 

Mh).  Probably,  the  only  remaining  notable  colony  (or  rookery,  as  it  is 
called  from  analogy  witli  the  breeding  places  of  the  fur-seal)  is  that 
Avhich  is  now  strictly  preserved  by  the  ivussian  (rovernment  on  the 
north  west  point  of  Copper  Island,  of  the  Commander  grou]).  The  sea- 
otters  are  reported  by  tlie  Sui)erintendent  of  ( Jopper  Island  as  increasing 
here  from  year  to  year,  though  a  limited  number  is  allowed  to  be  taken 
by  the  natives  eacli  year,  and  tlKUigh  the  natives  are  i>ermitled  to  shoot, 
during  the  winter  and  in  the  absence  of  the  fur-seals,  any  sea-otters 
found  to  the  south  of  Matveya  J'oint  on  the  east  coast,  and  a  designated 
point  somewhat  further  to  the  southward  on  the  west  coast.  To  the 
northward  of  the  line  thus  deliued,  no  shooting  is  at  any  time  allowed 


UKl'OUl'    OF    lUMTISH    C0MM1S8I0NP:RS. 


127 


for  any  imrposc  wliiitover.  Tliis  reserved  nrea  tlins  eompn'sos  nbout 
live  miles  of  tlie  iiortliein  end  of  Copper  Isliind,  with  SnIUovsky  Point 
and  tlu!  IJohroti  r(tel<s  luid  reefs  lyin;;'  olf  this  ]»oint.  Mere  the  sea- 
otters  iiie  (iilcen  ;it  desij^iiated  limes  iiiid  niuh-r '  ioveriiiiieiit  supervision 
in  twiny  nets,  exeept  in  eertiiiii  ,\e;us  in  wiiidi  the  iintives  ;iet  :i  permit 
to  make  a  drive  of  otters  upon  tlie  rocks,  and  kill  them  there  witli  clubs 
like  the  fur-seals.  This  was  allowed  in  ISKO,  and  twenty  seaotters  were 
yot  in  the  drive,  thoiijih  moie  mi^ht  hnw  been  secured  biit  for  some 
mistakes  whi(!h  occurred  durinjj' the  operation.  One  hundred  and  eij;hty 
s<5a  ott«!r  skiuH  in  all  were  obtained  from  ('oii|)«'r  Island  durinj;-  the  year 
IS!  to. 

40(5.  Vifiilance  is  re<iuired  in  jiiiardinjj-  this  sea  otter  colony  from 
raids,  and  it  is  said  that  in  1SS7  or  is.ss  Oaptain  Snow,  in  the  schooner 
"Nemo,''  from  Yokcdiama,  and  llyin^  the  IJritish  liaf;',  attempted  to, 
laid  the  place,  but  was  tired  at  and  driven  olf.  Snow  was  reported 
wounded,  and  two  -Japanese  sailors  killed.  Since  this  time  no  raids 
luive  been  attempted  here. 

4(>7.  Near  Cape  Lopatka,  Ihe  southern  <'xtreme  of  Kamschatka,  si 
seaotter  colony  or  rookeiy  existed  till  recent  years,  but  it  was  raided 
and  destroyed  by  vessels  from  San  l^'rancisco  between  liSSO  and  1.S.S2. 
There  is  also  stated  to  have  been  a  sindlar  colony  at  l*irat,  or  Yellow 
Cape,  not  far  from  tlie  last.  An  etfort  was  made  to  jtrotect  this  by  sta- 
tioninjf  a  nund)er  of  Aleuts  at  the  ])iace  to  j^uard  it,  l)ut  many  of  these 
people  died,  and  the  remainder  weie  witlxlrawn  at  tlieir  own  reipiest, 

after  which  the  sea  otter  colony  was  raided  and  destroyed. 
83  4tl8.  Some  allempt  has  also  been  nnule  by  the  Cnited  States 

Government  to  j)rotect  the  sea ot  ter.  Section  I'.iot}  of  the  ll<'visc«l 
Statutes  of  the  United  States  i)rovides  that  no  person  shall,  without 
the  consent  of  tlu^  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  kill  any  otter,  ndnk, 
marten,  sable,  or  fur-seal,  or  other  fui'  bearin.tr  animal,  within  the  limits 
of  Alaska  teri'itory,or  in  the  waters  thereof.  This  is  further  explained 
by  a  Tieasury  J3e])artment  Notice,  dated  21st  April,  1870,  which  reads 
as  follows: 

No  i'lii'-lii'iiriiij:;  jiiiiiiiula  will,  tlicrcroro,  hv  allowcil  t(ii  bo  kjlii'd  by  jierHons  other 
than  lln;  iiulivi's,  within  tlui  limits  of  Al.'iska  tcriitoiy,  or  in  the  NMitcrs  tlicrcof, 
rxct'iit  fnr-sciils  taken  liv  tlio  Alaska  (Joninicriial  (Company  in  jMir.siianco  of  their 
li'asc.  The  nsi'  of  lire  aiins  l)y  the  natives  in  killinjif  other  than  dnrin;;  Ihe  months 
of  May,  .Jnne,  .Jnly,  Anjiust,  and  Septeniher,  in  hereby  jirohibitid.  No  vessel  will 
be  allowed  to  anchor  in  t Ik;  well-known  otter-killinji;  j^roiiinls  except  those  whicli 
may  cari'y  parties  of  natives  to  and  from  such  killing  jrronndo;  and  it  will  be  the 
duty  of  the  ollicers  of  the  I'nited  States  who  may  be  in  that  locality  to  take  all 
])ro])er  measures  to  enforce  all  the  ])ains  and  penalties  of  the,  law  a>;ainst  i>erson8 
fonnd  gnilty  of  a  viidation  thereof.  White  men  lawfully  married  to  natives,  and 
residing  within  the  territorv,  are  considered  natives  within  the  meaning  of  this 
Order. 

409.  Inquiries  at  Ounalaska,  however,  show  tlntt  no  attemj)t  had 
been  made  to  enforc(^  the  law  aj^aiiist  the  killiii};"  of  fur  seals  by  the 
Aleuts  in  that  vi(!inity  till  ISiKt,  when  instructions  were  received  that 
it  nubst  be  enforced,  althoufiii  no  means  were  provided  for  its  enforce- 
ment. The  law  against  the  killin.!;  of  se-'  -tter  and  the  ruliiiff  as  to 
the  months  in  wliich  lirearms  shall  be  jtrohibited  in  hunting'  tliis 
animal  is  also,  as  a  matterol  fact,  inoperative.  The  ])rohibited  months 
inelude  all  those  in  which  it  is  practically  possible  to  hunt  the  sea- 
otter,  and  it  is  well  understood  that  if  the  Aleuts  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands  were  interfered  with  in  this,  their  only  nn'ans  of  obtaining  a 
living,  they  must  either  suller  great  hiirdships,  or  their  support  must 
be  undertaken  by  the  Government. 


128 


ur.roin'  of  niMTisFf  commissioners. 


47(K  Tlir  solo  itisfaiK't'  of  tlic  actual  cxtfniiiiiatioii  of  an  aiiiiiial  of 
llu!  N(»itli  rarilic  within  liistoiic  times,  and  (»ne  of  tlic  very  sliort  list 
of  snt'li  cases  of  cxtcniiinalion  tlic  world  o\cr,  is  that  (»f  tlic  Uhytiiiii 
or  StcIU'i'ssea  cow  {Ii'IijiIIiki  Shlln-i).  It  is  insti  iictivc  to  allude  to  this 
instauiU',  l»ecau>e  it  hecoines  obvious  that  it  was  entirely  owiny  to  tlio 
j^reat  dill'erences  in  liai)its  and  the  veiy  n'stricted  raii;;«M»l' the  aninial, 
as  coni|)arcd  with  the  In i'  seal,  that  its  exteiinination  liecaine,  possilde. 

471.  This  sea  cow  or  nianal  c  was  Intnid  in  {ii«'at  innnbcrson  Itelirinfif 
Island,  and  to  some  extent  also  on  Coppei-  Island,  at  the  tinu>  of  tlu^ 
discovery  of  thes«^  islands  in  17U,  but  scan-i'ly.  if  at  all,  elsewhere; 
though  N(U'denskir»ld  coniectures  that  it  may  within  historic  times  havo 
also  occassionally  xisited  the  Kamschatkan  coast. 

172.  It  was  a  lar^c,  slow,  clumsy,  and  incautious  animal,  wliicli  fed 
chietly  alonj;  the  shores  u|ion  marine  aljia-;  and  iK'inji'  found  easy  of 
capture  and  {"ood  for  food  was  ))ersisteiilly  attacked  by  the  early  Itns- 
slan  navifi'ators,  who  often  visited  JJehrinj;  Island  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  laying;  in  a  slock  of  its  tlesli.  I'rom  the  accounts  of  tiu'se  voyaj^es, 
it  seems  lirst  to  have  disappeared  from  Copper  Island,  and  subse- 
(pu'ntly,  about  I7<iS,  less  than  thirty  years  alter  the  disco\ery  of  the 
islands,  it  became  extinct,  also  on  IJehrinu  Island.* 

't7.'5.  It  is  staled  that  llrandt  expresses  the  belief  that  the  KMiytina 
formerly,  and  in  pic  historic  times,  not  oidy  frc(|uentcd  the  ci,>ast  of 
Kamscliatka,  but  extended  also  as  far  as  the  coasts  of  dhina  and  the 
northern  islands  of  the  riapanese  <;roui).  and  to  tlie  western  islands  of 
the  Aleutian  chain,  It  thus  appears  to  liavt'  already  been  natnially 
verj;inji"  towards  extinction  before  it  was  at  all  puisned  by  man.  In  a 
l>aper  read  before  tln^  Kussian  Imperial  (leoisraphical  Society  in  .March 
ISSI,  Dr.  Dibofsky  ex])resses  a  similar  opinion.  .Mi'.  I'\  \V.  'rriie  writes 
as  follows  resjiectiiij*"  the  causcsof  its  extinction:  ''The  mi»st jicnerally 
accepted  notion  is  that  the  rate  of  (•a]»tiire  much  exceeded  that  of  the 
increase  of  the  animal,  and  that  extinction  followed  as  a  matter  of 
course.  Nordenskiiild,  howexcr,  and  in  a  certain  way  lirandl.  also 
avows  liis  belief  that  the  sea-cow  had  p)tten  out  of  harmony  with  its 
environment  many  years  before  the  IJiissians  discovered  it,  aiiu  that 
its  extermination  would  haxc  occurred  within  a  comparatively  sliort 
time  without  the  intervention  of  man.  The  fact  that  in  Steller's  time 
the  ranji'e  of  the  animal  was  much  circumscribed  seems  to  give  wei,i;ht 
to  the  latter  view."  t 


84        (S.) — Uncilhuj  Phucs  ((ml  Resorts  of  the  Fa r-sial  on  the  Western 

Side  of  the  ^'orth  Fncific. 

474.  The  ])ursuit  of  the  fur-seal  on  the  western  or  A  -iatic  ])ortioi.  of 
the  North  Pacilic,  alfords  much  evidence  \  cry  directly  illectinjj:  the  con- 
ditions and  prospects  of  the  seal  fishery  in  the  (';>>!  .rii  waters  of  that 
ocean,  altogether  apart  from  the  (|Uestion  as  to  iiow  far  the  territorial 
Powers  of  these  Asiatic  waters,  viz.,  Kussia,  Japan,  and  China,  may 
desire  to  participate  in  any  <;eiieral  rej^ulations  teiidiii,y;  to  the  preser- 
vation of  so  old-established,  imjiortant,  and  useful  an  industry. 

*  harou  Xordcnskiiild  foiiiwl  some  roasoii  to  believe  tlisit  a  sinj!;le  individiial  of  the 
Bc.i-oow  was  seen  as  late  as  the  year  IS.'I,  but  Dr.  L.  Ste.jiiejrer,  first  in  the  "I'ro- 
ceediiifis  of  tlie  I'nited  States  National  iliiseiiiu,"  vol.  vii.  iSSl,  ]i.  ISl.  and  at  later 
dates  in  the  "American  Naturalist,"  vol.  xxi,  ]>.  1017,  and  "American  (Jeojiraphieal 
Society  Hnlletin,"  No.  I,  ISS(!,  has  advanced  strong- reasons  to  show  that  the  animal 
actnally  became  extinct  in  17()S. 

t  "  Fishery  Indiistrii's  of  the  United  States,"  vol.  i,  p.  lo5.  See  also  Nordenskiold's 
"  Voyaye  of  the  Vega,"  vol.  ii. 


RKPORT    OF    nUITISK    COMMISSIONKKS. 


12!) 


47'),  Wo  have  l)i'(>ii  (rarct'iil  to  <M>ll(M't  iiiHl  collate  all  tiie  iiit'onnatioii 
l)o>*Mil>le  (»ii  the  iri'>\vtli  of  tiu-  industry  on  the  Asiatic  r<»asts  oC  tlie 
Pucitie,  because  it  has  tor  the  most  part  heeii  lelt  untouched  hy  tln>se 
who  have  written  on  the  sid>ject.  (Jiark*  simply  dismisses  tii«^  siihjei  t 
with  the  brief  remark:  "'i'he  seals  taken  by  tln^  .Japanese  are  those 
ini};ratiii;;'  from  the  Commander  };'roup,  the  nundter  taken  avera;4in|i; 
4,000  annually,  thoup:h  some  years  as  many  as  11,(100  an^  tak<>n." 
Messrs.  lian)|>sonf  mciely  report:  ''The  supply  fiom  this  source  (.lapan) 
lias  varied  very  much  of  late  years,  aniountiiifj  sonu'times  to  lo.OOO 
skins  ayear,  at  others  oidy  5,000.  I,ast  year  (1.S.S7)  sti indent  prohii» 
itory  laws  weie  passed  by  tho  .Japanese  <iovernment,  and  very  lew 
skir's  have  c<.  <ie  forward."  ^'cry  little  else  has  been  puldishcd  on  ti'c 
subject  by  any  one  (A'  authority.  liut  in  addition  to  the  results  of  nine!: 
«'orre.spond(  nee, olllcial  and  private,  and  <;atlieriiij;  to;;-eliicr  of  scattered 
references,  we  have  had  the  advanta^i'  of  making  tlie  ac(|uaintance  of 
men  experienced  in  s<'al-liuntin^  and  in  seal  localities  in  tiiis  portion  of 
the  Tacitie,  and  have  thus  been  enabled  to  })ut  tojictlicr  a  sullicicnt 
body  of  information  to  convey  suHicieiit  acc<»unts  of  the  rise  and  pro;;- 
ress  of  the  sealin};  industry  in  these  wiiters. 

47(».  Amonjj  the  points  of  special  intcn-st  to  oiir  ])rescnt  i)urpose, 
are: — the  {growth  of  the  industry;  the  similarity  of  conditions  picvail- 
in{>'  on  this  side  of  the  Pacitic;  the  <lissiniilar  circumstance  of  the 
absence  of  i)e]af>ic  sealiii}';  the  very  destructive  etlect  of  raids  upon 
breeding,' rookei'ies;  ami  the  attempts  at  lejiulation  and  control  by  both 
the  .Japanese  and  Kussian  (lovcrnnients. 

477.  After  themiddleof  the  eighteenth  century,  lliitish  vessels,  esi)e- 
cially  under  the  auspices  of  the  I'^ast  India  (Company,  extended  their 
voyages  from  Bond>ay  and  Calcutta  or  Macao  to  the  coast  of  Kani- 
schatka,  and  alonj;-  the  Aleutian  Islands  into  ]>eliiinfj:  Sea,  and  as  far 
as  the  north-west  coast  of  America,  in  search  offiiis.  Such  voyaj^^cs 
were  made  in  1780  and  in  17S()-.S7.  These  lOnjjIish  traders  at  once 
encountered  the  claims  of  the  Russians  and  the  Spaniards  to  liie  sole 
right  to  navigate  and  trade  in  those  seas,  a  claim  then  successfully  con- 
tested and  tacitly  or  explicitly  ign(ued  about  100  years  before  tlieollicials 
of  a  tenitory  belonging  to  the  United  States  seized  British  vessels  for 
engaging  in  similar  enterj)rises  in  th(>se  waters. 

478.  The  furs  thus  obtained  by  the  British  were  taken  to  the  Chinese 
mark<'t.  The  liussians  were  quick  to  notice  this,  and  in  due  course 
obtained  from  the  Chinese  authorities  an  interdict  against  the  landing 
in  China  of  any  furs  from  the  islands  and  shores  of  the  Eastern  Pacific. 
In  the  event  this  proved  but  a  partial  restriction  so  far  as  the  English 
were  concerned,  for  they  commenced  at  (nice  to  turn  their  attention  to 
bringing  to  the  Canton  nuirket  the  fur-seal  of  the  southern  seas,  and 
this  higldy  ]u<»titable  trade  thus  started  nourished  from  about  the  year 
1703  until  18;5o. 

470.  Meanwhile,  however,  in  the  Northein  Pacific  the  Russians  were 
active.  In  1701)a<'harter  was  granted  by  theCzartotheltussian-AiiHi- 
ican  Comi»any,  giving  them  control  over  all  the  coasts  of  America  on 
the  Tacilic  north  of  latitude  r).")^  nortii,  and  tiiis  Com])any,  extending  its 
operations  under  Earanolf  and  other  leaders,  acciuired  a  wide  dominion. 
In  the  course  of  a  few  years,  English  and  American  vessels  established 
{ilmost  a  monopoly  in  the  supply  of  goods  of  all  sorts  to  the  Kussians  and 
their  natives,  the  return  trade  being  nmstly  in  furs  for  the  Canton 


*  Parliainontary  Paper  [C.  61311,  p.  178. 

t  House  of  licpreseutatives,  SOtli  CoiigresH,  2ii(l  Session,  l^oport  No.  3883,  p.  114. 

B  S,  FT  VI 9 


\M) 


I»I',1'»»1M'    n|.'    lllJiriMI    COMMlSSKiNKIi'S. 


in;irk«>t.  In  IS||  ( lii>  linn  (>l  Asior.  ul'  \(>\v  Yen  K,  nnnlf  ii  .M|i<>ci:il  »>oii- 
(iinl  Id  siipplv  lln>  IJnssiiin  <'<>in|tiiny  with  provisions,  ii:t»;n<'nl  Itriiii^ 
taUrii  in  liM's  to  Uv  soUl  in  ('union.  This  «>nln-|n'iso  took  tlir  n;iinr  of 
tht>  I'lirilii'  l''iir  ( 'oinpiiny,  ;iimI  iIio  I  wo  ( 'oin|iiinit<s  iiihIoi  look,  l)«'si«|rs 
<liis  D'  ;<n:il  ti:iil<>,  to  |n'«>\(>;il  lh«>  nativi's  oltliiiniiii;  iiiiy  li«|nor,  to  assist, 
t'jnli  oiluM' iiLiiinisi  nil  inl('iIop»Ms  :in<l  sninji};It'is,  jind  lo  respect  (mcIi 
oIIum's  hiinlini;  ;n  CMS.  In  t  he  lollow  ini;  vciir  these  ri;4h(s  siinl  iiinler 
liilvin!'.s  w  cic  jioni^ht  up  by  the  Noiih  NN  est  l''iir  < 'oinpiiny,  of  which  the 
heinhjiKii  lers  were  in  Slonlr«';il. 

ISd.    Tlins.  tin*   Miiiilish  were  in   tlie   Noith   I'Mcitlc  liikinn' seiil  skiiiH 
tVoin   th(>  south   se;is   to  ( ';inloii,  niiil   ;i!so  Irjnliii;^'  ^eiieiiilly   in 
S.'i         I'nrs.  riL;lit  nwny  to  thai  portion  ol   the  North  racilie  which  siil» 
stMineiilly  hecaine  known  as   richiini;' Sea,  on  a  well  eslal>lishc»! 
I>asis.  It\   llu>  Itciiinniiiii' of  th(>  jtresent  century. 

ISl,  In  eonneciion  with  this  part  of  th(>  Noilh  Pacific,  it  iiniy  also 
\)c  borne  in  mind  lliat  alioiil  th(>  year  ISIO  whaiiiij;'  bc^an  to  be  (>\ten 
si\(>l\  pracliscd.  In  ISIO  to  ISI'J  lln>  wlialini;  tieet  iVetpiented  |Im« 
KadiaU  t^ioniid.  where  many  ri,i;hl  whales  wcrt*  taken.  In  1SI(»,  the 
tiapaii  Sea  was  found  to  b(<  a  j^ood  wiialinu'  L;ioiind,  from  which  that 
pari  of  tiie  racilic  near  Kamschatka  was  ne\t  reached,  ami  soon  after 
Okolsk  Sea.  In  ISIS,  ihe  first  w  haler  enleicd  th(>  Aiclic  Ocean,  and 
th«M(>aller  not  only  lu'lnini;  Sea.  lull  also  this  InrI  her  ocean,  has  been 
n\iiiilarly  fiequenl»Ml  l)y  whaltMs,  Ihe  bow  heati  whale  chietly  beiii;j 
taken  in  tln>  cxlreme  north.  The  indnstiy  has  t;iadiially  d<>clined,  in 
«'oiisc(puMict>  of  lln>  lessened  iininber  of  whales;  but  between  ISIM  and 
IStlO,  there  wen>  about  .">ll(t  V(>sscls  under  the!  iiiled  States  llaj:,  besides 
i>rilish.  I'rtMich,  (>hienburu.  I>auisli,  and  other  vess»>|s.  Many  of  tht> 
r>rilish  \ cssels  came  from  I  lobart   Tow  n  and  other  places  in  Australasia. 

IS'J.  r.iil  the  fur  seal  of  Ihe  North  I'acilic  remained  in  «ireat  iiwasiire 
II  mouopo)\  of  the  Ivussians  niilil  tow  anis  the  middle  of  Ihe  nineteentli 
century,  and  then,  by  reasmi  of  its  becomiiij;'  a  w«>ll  ascertaiiu'd  liM't 
that  llie  supply  i^\'  seal  skins  from  Ihe  Southern  Ocean  liati  pi'actically 
I'l'ascd.  l\u;''ish  and  oilier  muioiis  also  turned  their  alli'iition  to  tln^ 
sup]>!y  o\'  seal  skins  I'rom  the  N(nlh  racilic. 

•IS,'!.  It  is  iicitvssary  to  bt>ar  in  mind  Ihal  the  comiiMM'cial  ini|><irtance 
«>f  theskinsof  Ihe  fur  seal  of  Ihe  North  I'acilic  is  t  liiis  of  i'«'ceiit  ori^^in. 
In  Ihe  well  known  ••  reniiy  Cyclopa'dia."  published  so  lately  as  ISlL', 
the  seal  is  dcscril  cd  as  lollows.  and  it  is  slated  that  no  inarkel  value 
is  allached  to  llie  skins  of  the  adult  : 

.\y<-t<u'rph,}!ii.'i  iirsiiiiis.  Islainls  uii  ilic  iiorlli  wi'si  |iiiini  of  AiiK'iicM,  KiimsclintUii, 
mill  llio  Kiivtli>  IsliUiils.  I'liis  is  tlu>  Oliiiiii  inv,)/ii  (i('  1  >i','iii;i«>st  ;  riiinii  itrsina  oC  l.iii- 
iiaMis,  iV  I'.  \\  lii'u  llu'^^>  iiu^iMtdiv  scmIs  ;i  ii)ic:u' Oil  kiuiisiliiil  kii  ami  I  lio  Ku  riles  ojoly 
in  t  lu>  spiiiii;  ilu'v  ail'  in  liii;li  rmnlil  inn,  and  the  I  rni  a  It's  arc  pri')4;iiant.  'I'licy  rt'inaiii 
on  or  aluuit  tlic  slioii'  I'or  t\\o  monllis,  diirini;  wliii  li  llit>  fi'niali's  hrinu'  rmlli.  'I'licy 
are  iiolviiamons.  ami  livi'  in  fainilics.  cvi'v.n  inali'  licin^i'  sioTonnilcd  liy  a  crowd  ol' 
rcinalt  s  1 1'toin  lil'lv  lo  «'ii;lil\\  \\  liom  lie  jjiianls  w  il  li  Ilic  cicalcsl  JciloiiKy.  I'licsc 
I'ainilii's  each,  inclmiiiij;  tin'  yoiinu,  anionnl  ini;  lo  l()|l  fo  j'je,  live  Neparate.  tlnniuli 
tliey  ert'wd  ihesluue,  ami  tlial  lo  siieli  an  e\lcnt  on  the  islands  oil'  I  he  iiorlh-we.sf 
)>oint  ot'  Anu'iica,  that  it  is  s.iid  tlit',\  oldiee  Ihe  tra\eller  lo  it  it,  and  seiile  lh(> 
iieiuhhiuirini;'  voeUs.  Pofh  male  and  remale  are  very  all'eel  ionate  to  Ihcir  NoiniL;, 
ami  tierce  ill  their  det'enee;  bill  the  mMle-.  .O'e  often  lyranicall\  eniel  to  tht<  I'ein.iles, 
which  are  very  siihinissive.     ,  .      I'heskin.  wliiih  is  \  cry  thick,  is  eovered^willi 

hair Ihcrc  is  a  \  cry  sol't,  hrownish  red  \\  col  I  lose  t(>  i  liesUiiis 

'I  111' skins  ot' the  \  onnu  are  highly  pri  cd  tor  elothinc;. 

•ISI.  \' ]H>n  llu' ('oiiimaiider  Isljinds.  until  the  year  IStlS.  nothiiip:  was 
tlioui:ht  worlli\  of  »'aiituit'  ext'cjit  the  .ore,\  pup  seals,  while  on  the  l*ri- 
bylolV  Ulands  and  alotii;  Ihe  coasts  of  North  \\'est  .\;neiiea  theskinsof 
the  till  seal  were  considered  as  hardly  worth  the  takin};.     I'or  iihstaiiee, 


1 

( 


IM'.l'olll'    <»l''    ItUri'lSII    ('nMMISH|(»Ni;i{S. 


i:ii 


was 
IMi 

lis  ill' 

net', 


III  IS'.l.t  nKjiis  «■<•!(>  iMitcicd  liy  llio   K'nssinii  <lnv<'i  iinifi't    in   llicSiifKl 
w  it'll  Ishimis  III  all  :i  viMii^c  I  iilf  ol'  1  dol.  75  c.  (7\.) ;  in  ( 'liiiia,  al  Kiat<li;i, 
at  iVoiii  I  dollar  (Is. I  to  I  dol.   10  r.  ((»,v.);   wliiir   llin   |tii<'<'H  j;ivt'ii  hy  llir 
IIihIsom's   r.ay  ('oiiiiKiny  al    Coil  Simpson  \v«'H\  ho  laU^ly  as  ISfiO,  only 
I  (lol.  .'"»(»  ('..  {(i.s.)  per  skin. 

IH."».  A  I't'w  yt'ais  lalcr,  liowcvcf,  moid  altcniloii  was  ^ivni  lo  llif, 
noillicin  liir  seal,  and  \vr  lliid  vessels  I'ldiii  all  (piarleis,  ineliidin^  lloiio 
iiilii,  enii/,in^  round  I  lie  Noi  t  li  rarilie,  eiideav oiinii!;  lo  Iradt^  I'oi  ,oi'  take, 
seal  sKifiH.  Seal  liiinleis  lollowed  in  I  lieir  I  laek,  hi  inning  wit  li  t  liem  t  lie 
I  ia<litions  ant!  experiences  (d' tJie  soiit  li  seas  snnimed  up  in  tlie,  ideji,  of 
taUin^Mlie  fur  seal  as  and  when  it.  came  ashore.  \Vritini;iii  I.H7<>,  l'ir». 
I'essoi'  Dall  deserihes  the  liarhoiii' (d' < 'hielia;^'ol1',  in  A  Itii,  as  a.  notoiioiiH 
smn^;ilin^  eenlr»>  lor  I'lns 

Such  was  the  };enei;il  ;ispeet.  ol'  alVaiis  hy  the  middle  ol"  the  present, 
eeiitmy  in  liie  North  rarilie. 

|.S((.  Ill  the  more  westerly  port  ion  of  tliaf  oeeiin,  I'rinii  a  variety  of 
soni«'es,  and  especially  from  liie  ^^peciaI  lepoi  f  supplied  lo  lis  hy  Mr.  de 
r>iins(>n  from  I  he  llrit  isli  Le^at  ion  at  'i'okio,  and  a  memorandiim  ohtained 
from  his  <  lo\  ei  iiiiieiit  hy  N'iseoiinl  K  a  wa/e,  .l;i]);iiieMe  Minister  in  Kon 
lion,  we  have  a  lolei  aidy  complete  accoiinl  ol'  t  he  fur  seal  lishery  on  the, 
coaslH  of  .lapan  and  the  Kiirile  Islands. 

|S7.  '['he  seal  tishery  is  an  «dd  estahlished  industry  in  . lapan,  and  par 
ticiilars  are  on  record   dating  hack    to   the   middleof  the   hist,  eentiiry. 
The  skins  wcie  oltlaiiicd  ahoiit  IV-il)and  I  nill  Irom  lloroinoshir,  Maka 
riirii,  Shimsir,  and    liriip  hy  t.lie  iialives  id"  ltrii|)  and    h'aslnia,  nsin^ 
arrows,  harpoons,  and  nets. 

In  |S(K»,  we  read  id'a.  ie;;iilar  sealing,'  eslahlishment    lieinj,^  set,  ii|)  in 

llriii>,  and  carried  on  for  years  with  success. 

S»;  Tlic    seal  skins    were     usually    bartered    al     Na;;asaki    to    the, 

Cliinese.     The  ( iovei  nineiil    in  these  years  purchased    the  skins 

from  tlii^  natives,  at    the   lived    rates  of  !M)  ;ind    to  sen  for  tin-,  hest,  and 

medium  quality  skins  ies|HM'lively. 

hiiriii};-  tii<>  siicceeiliiii,;  years,  Ifnssian  snlijccls  j^iadiially  pushed 
soiilhwai'd  down  the  Kiirile  ;;'r(Hip,  and  much  eonipelilion  and  even 
eontli<'t  resulted  in  livai  endeavours  to  seelll•<^  sealskins.  At  this 
period,  the,  Ifnssians  he^^aii  t<»  send  furs  to  the  (IJiiiKl  market  dire!  to 
IN'kiiij;  tliroii.uh  I  liej^reat.  mart  est  a  hi  i  shed  a  I  i»iatc|i,  in  Ma  stern  Siheria. 

ISS.  AhonI  the  year  IS(i.~),  the  Japanese,  (lovernmenl,  ftniiid  it  elf 
forced  to  deal  with  the,  :iicr;asi,.j;  nnmliers  id'  foreij;n  vessels — (diielly 
Itiissian,  Hrit  isli,  Anierieaii,  ain'  l>ntcli  which  hei^aii  to  visif,  their 
coasts,  and  fre(|iienf  tlie  hayi  and  iiaihonrs  in  ipiesl  of  niarine  products. 

|S!>.  As  early  as  IS(i;>,  the  dapaiiese  (lohmial  i  )enai  linent  set  iiji  a 
luiineh  cslaolishment.  in  the.  Island  of  Ifriip,  with  the  specinl  oii|ect  (,{' 
earryinji  out,  (he.  iiicasiin's  (•stahii-^hed  to  protect  the  Japanese  coast, 
lishin^' a;;ainst  fori  i^n;'rs.  The  old  seal  skin  re^^niations  were  re\i\ei| 
and  the  (io>  erniiHMit  |)r"'e<',  lr<'idcd.  In  I.S7."»,  ( 'ommissions  were  set  up 
siieeially  to  pi'event  hva)  noaidiiiit;  and  sale  if  seal  skins  hy  forei;;iiers. 
INIindi  troid''".  was  oceasioncd  hy  the  forei^^n  vc^ssels,  which  iisindly 
elaiined  •  ■•■  .i^'ht  to  reina  n  in  tiie  itays  and  harlxdirs,  on  the  plea.  »d' 
stress  of  weather  or  need  for  wood  and  water.  'I'his  n<'cessitate<l  a  man 
ofwai'  iieiny-  s<Mit  n|»,  and,  nllimately,  a  sjx'c  ial  cniizer  was  detailed 
to  the  Kiirile  Islands  for  the  s<alin;i,  season,  \i/,..  May  to  ()ct(d)er. 

•I!»(».  In  May  I.S7I,  the  (ioveiiinient,  issued  regulations  i<>  c(mt  rol  the 
fishery  around  tho  ll(d<kaido  (\'e/,o)  Islands,  elainiiii;^  jurisdiction 
within  a  limit  of  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  shore,  and  statin;;-  -if 
any  foreiyiiei'.i  bo  iouiid  fishing'  witliin  tliu  a1)(>v<;  iinaitiontMl  limits,  they 


m 


132 


HKPOKT    Ol'    I5UITISII    COMMISSIOXKRR. 


sli!\ll  1)(>  iiin'stcd  in  as  jx'acofiil  a  inaniH>ras  possilylc  and  sontto  FTako- 
date,  accompanied  by  jiiiards,  and  delis  t-rcd  to  tin'  Consnl  of  the  coun- 
try of  tlieir  nationality."  Dnrinj;'  tlieso  years,  forei<fn  vessels  wero 
fre(]nently  enconntercd  en<>a,u('d  in  sealinji'.  llesides  nniny  vessels  from 
tlie  Hnited  States,  a  Danish  vessel,  the  "  Mattre,"  and  others,  arc 
mentioned. 

In  IS?."),  on  Itrup,  tlic  Russians  aelually  commenced  pnttinjj  up  huts, 
as  did  the  Americans  at  a  jdace,  called  Maroko,  for  the  purpose,  of 
killinpT  seals.     They  were,  however,  arrested  and  sent  to  Hakodate. 

4!tl.  The  iiead-(inarters  of  tho  Trotection  EstahlisluniMit  orij>inally 
set  ui>  on  Itrup  Island  wore  afterwards  transferred  to  Neniuro,  with 
branches  on  Octnebetsn,  Xanneho,  and  Tosliimori.  In  ISTO,  in  conse- 
(pH'nc('of  the  ajjreenuMits  come  to  with  Kiissia  in  1874  concerninj;-  tin* 
Kurile  Islands,  new  rej-nlations  were  issued,  i)rohibitin}>'  flshiu};-  for 
seals  by  tbreijiii  vessels  within  fjunshot  of  the  Ilokkaich)  shores;  new 
branch  ollices  established  on  iShikotan  and  elsewhere,  and  measures 
were  taken  by  piodamation  and  otiierwise  to  notil'v  foreif^n  vessels  that 
sealinj;'  was  ])r()liibited.  Endeavours  were  also  made  to  improve  the 
native  methods  of  preparinji'  the  seal  skins.  In  aihlition  to  this,  special 
rcj^iilations  as  to  the  nu'tiiods  <»f  wslauj;hter  werc^  issued,  deprccatin;;'  (ho 
use  of  fire  arms  and  the  killinj^'  of  '•'pups,"  limitinj;-  the  number  of  seals 
to  be  taken  alonj;'  the  coast,  and  establishinj:^  a  close  season  between 
the  months  of  May  and  November  in  the  tcrritt)rial  waters.  Special 
incpuries  were  also  to  bo  instituted  into  tho  facts  of  seal  lite. 

•i',12.  The  .Japanese  were  thus  inclined  to  adopt  wise  llej:;nlations,  but 
foreiii'tiers,  and  esjxuMally  Americans,  were  far  nnu'e  reckless,  an<l  con- 
tinued to  maraud  alonji'  the  siiorcs.and  to  use  lire-arms,  ea};erly  seekin<>- 
the  i)rolits  of  to  day,  but  i,yiiorin<j  all  risks  of  depletion  on  tho  nu)rrow. 
In  liS77,  1S7S,  and  1S7!>,  the  Japanese  madi  establishmtMiissuc<!essively 
in  Kunashir,  Iriribush,  and  others  of  the  less  inhabited  islands,  to 
secure  for  themselves  the  fur  si'al  industry.  IJnt  foreif;iM'rs  followed 
them  closely,  and  by  theyeai'  ISSOor  ISSl  serious  apprehensions  existed 
that  the  seals  were  hopeh'ssly  diminished  in  nund)ers.  The  .Iapan«'so 
Jicport  states:  "Tlu^  lorei>iiiers  do  not  in  the  least  caro  about  the 
(lecioase  of  breedinj;  or  the  extermination  of  the  species;  th(>y  freely 
use  their  {j;uns  in  huntino-,  and,  as  the  result,  they  kill  tlie  j^reatest  num- 
ber. Thus,  we  are  oblij;ed  (o  throw  aside  the  old  instninu'iits,  such  as 
clubs,  bows  and  arrows,  and  .yalfs,  -ind  to  adopt  tlie  f;un,  as  it  would 
be  most  foolish  to  keep  to  the  old  system,  which  left  others  to  make  tho 
jii'ieatest  yain.  Tluis,  the  use  of  fjfuns  is  the  umin  cause  of  tho  present 
decrease." 

4{>.'J.  Over  all  these  years,  and  up  to  tho  present,  seals  were  known  to 
breed  in  numbers  on  at  least  three  ])()ints  on  tln^  Ivurile  Islands,  viz., 
the  Srednoi  K'ocks,  <ttl'  the  Island  of  I'shishir,  on  K'aikoko  Island,  ami 
on  the  Musliia  liocks.  indeed,  in  ISSl,  (piite  an  impetus  was  given  to 
sealinji'  by  tite  uiu'xpected  disc<(Very  of  a  small  rookery  on  the  Srednoi 
Rocks,  holdinj;-  2(MUH>  to  20,000  seals.    5,000  skins  were  taken  there  in 

that  one  year. 
iS7  404.  Seals  wero  kmnvn  to  fVecpuMit  the  adjoining  ocein  in  Iar.;o 

numbers  from  November  to  May,  especially  olf  the  coast  of  .Iai>aii 
between  Inabosaki  and  tlu'  east  jiart  of  Ve/o,  and  it  was  rejiortofl  that 
during  the  remainder  of  the  year  tho  seals  travelled  away  northwards 
into  the  Okotsk  and  Ilelu  ing  Seas  to  breed  on  Kobben  Island  and  tho 
Comnninder  Islands.     They  wero  never  molestt'd  out  at  sea.. 

4!»r».  The  native  lishermcn,  in  open  boats,  along  the  Nambu  and  •.  ezo 
coasts  north  of  Inabosaki,  habitual'y  take  tho  seals  by  speariiMf.  by 


5\ 


REPORT    OF    IJRITISir    COMMISSIONKRS. 


133 


sIiootiM}^' tlH'iii  witli  hailMMl  arrows,  and  in  nets.  In  sonic  places,  a  liir 
(tovoiinff  for  (lie  liea<l  und  neck  cnahlcd  tic  liMnt«Ms  to  approach  close, 
to  tiic  seals.  The  animal  caUih  of  Ironi  l.',(MM)  to  ;{,(KlO  skins  is  <lisposed 
of  to  (/hinoHO  buyers  in  Hakodate.  In  the  aiitinnn,  they  sometimes 
tak(!  2,(100  to  L*,r»00  jjroy  pnps  in  nets.  Uiit  it  has  always  been  custom- 
ary, whenever  a  rookery  was  discovered,  especially  alonj;  the  Kurih; 
Islands,  for  larirer  vessels  to  proceed  thither  and  take  all  seals  that 
could  b<'  killed  on  shore  by  clubbinj;', 

4!)(5.  The  .lapancse  Agricultural  Department  states  that  the  fur  seal 
5il»pears  to  he  reared  on  the  rocky  coasts,  and  cauj;ht  at  a  distance  of 
not  more  than  one  nautical  mile  I'rom  the  shore,  but  that  they  are  gen- 
erally found  on  the  beaches  and  clubbed  there. 

497.  In  recent  years  good  records  have  been  kei)t,  especially  of  ves- 
sels under  foreign  Hags  engag<'d  in  scaling  from  .Ia])iin,  but  it  is  not 
so  certain  that  all  .lai»anesc  vessels  so  employed  aie  always  registoied 

408.  The  following  are  the  ligures,  about  one  half  of  the  total  being 
under  the  British  Hag: 


Yoiir. 

Nimilicr  of 

VcshcIm  <mi- 
iznnii\  ill 
Scaliiii;. 

Yciir. 

Niiinlicr  «if 
I'lPii^iHU 

Vi\<s(l.s  (11- 
^n'^i'il  iu 
Sr:iliiig. 

1880 

8 
0 
18 
15 
14 
11 

lS8fi 

7 

]«S|                                          ...              

1  H.-i7 

6 

\Hr<2 

isss 

6 

ihk;i 

iKitn 

D 

]H)>4 

4 

]««5 

IHtll 

8 

«l 

ted 

'se 
he 

'ly 

m- 
as 
dd 

the 
scut 

n  to 

'i/.., 

and 

I  to 

noi 

ill 

ir.'O 

•(Mil 

hat 

irds 

tlie 

e/.o 


400.  The  ra])id  in<;rease  in  numbers  of  vessels  e  njdoycd  from  ISSO 
up  to  18S4  was  due  to  the  discovery  of  the  rookeries  on  the  Kiirih^ 
Islands.  Hut  these  were  speedily  exhausted  by  indiscriminate  slaugh- 
ter, and  these  sealiiig-vessels  almost  contined  their  operations  to  raids 
in  and  around  llobben  Jsland  and  the  Commander  Islands,  especiiilly 
during  the  temporary  absence  of  the  guard  shij»s.  Several  schooners 
came  froin  Asnerica  every  autumn  for  sealing  ])i!rposes,  but  not  one  of 
these  Vi  ;-^ci  .  \»as  ever  employed  in  "  pelagic/"  sealing. 

500.  it  h-  <  itain  that  these  schooners  could  not  have  been  worked  at 
a  prr^r  tclc^sthey  had  taken  ten  times  as  many  skins  as  arc  reported 
to  have  '  -eii  landed  at  Hakodate  and  Yokohama,  lint  it  is  almost 
imi)o.-;.^U)le  '(*foriii  a  correct  estimate  of  the  total  catch,  hecaiise  the 
vessels  soil!  ;.:iies  bring  to  Japanese  i)orts  skins  of  seals  raided  from 
the  liiissian  shores,  and  sometimes  ship  seal  skins  thus  obtained  to 
lOurojie  or  China  without  bringing  them  into  a  Japanese  port,  even  if 
only  for  tianshipineiit. 

501.  Of  the  extensive  and  wasteful  slaughter  on  the  breeding  i»laces 
included  in  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of  .Japan,  many  interesting 
though  incomplete  records  were  obtained.  Cai>tain  Miner,  of  Seattle, 
a  jiar  icui  irly  well-informed  sealei',  had  fre(pieiitly  been  to  these  rook- 
erie  The  Alaska  Commercial  Coini)ai.y,  he  stated,  had  ol)tained  seals 
fro'  .  '  -iiii-liir  ami  Srednoi  in  188l.'-S;{.  In  1884,  hci  heard  from  the 
nativv^  ii  a  rookery  at  Kikaka,  a  small  island  near  Mattoo.  There  he 
secureo  i,AO0  skins,  but  news  of  this  having  become  ]tublic  tlu^re  were 
next  year  six  schooners  at  work  there,  and  the  few  seals  left  were 
killed  off  by  the  Jajianese  Marine  Products  Com[>any  which  now  leases 
the  island. 


134 


KEP<)UT    OF    lUlITISlI    COMMISSIONKUS. 


r»(Hi,  Ciiphiiii  Snow,  tlic  well  known  scaler  of  V'okoliiinia,  took  in  one 
year  (ISSl)  7,n()()  seals  Jrom  .Sre<hioi  IJock  alone.  Next  year  lie  fcmnd 
none  tliere.  The  natives  of  l^iiip  Island  always  had  seal  skins  lo  sell, 
and  this  led  to  the  Alaska  (Joniinereial  Company  and  tlie  schooners 
searching;'  the  ncij>hl>onrhoo(l,  but  the  ishiiid  beinj;'  low  and  bcliind  others 
was  very  diHitult  to  liiid.  Id  the  loHowinfj  year  (1^87),  lie  secured 
2,(K)()  seals  on  Hshishir  Island.  Sncli  are  some  of  the  examples  of  the 
Avholesah^  slanj;hterof  seal  on  tliese  smaller, but  prolilic, rookeries. 
88  50.'}.  Tiie  .lapanese  (lovcrnment  was  not  slow  to  appreciate 

the  j;ravity  of  the  case,  and  the  Aj;ri(!ultural  Department  was 
l>ronii)t  to  report  that  the  jtiomisiiif^  annual  (tatch  had  suddenly 
<lecreased  Ix'cause  of  this  indiscriminate  slaughter  on  sliore. 

oO-t.  An  Imperial  Decree  was  issued  on  the  L'.'Jrd  May,  1881,  forbid- 
diii<«'  the  huntinj''of  the  liir-seal  in  .lapauese  waters  except  by  ])ersons 
Avitli  a  sjjecial  permit.  This  was  sui)i)UMnented  on  the  Kith  Dec(Mnber, 
188(1,  by  Kejiiilations  issued  by  the  Imperial  authorities  under  the 
immediiite  supervision  of  the  Governor  (leiieral  of  JIakodate. 

.->(>.").  These  IJe,uu]ations,  in  brief,  enacted: 

(i.)  No  fur  seal  may  be  t;.'  i'  "•  'ept  between  the  15th  April  ami  the 
.'{1st  October. 

(ii.)  Ko  fur  seal  may  be  takeri  •      side  a  dclincd  area. 

(iii.)  This  area  is  divided  into  three  i)orti  >us,  in  only  one  of  whicth  is 
seal-huntin.u'  i)ermitted  in  any  given  year,  the  other  two  divisions  bene- 
litiiij;'  by  two  years  of  lest. 

(iv.)  All  vessels  enga,ued  must  be  specially  licensed,  and  eonforni  to 
special  I'c.milations,  and  tly  a  special  llag. 

(v.)  All  skins  broujiht  to  nmrket  must  be  stamped  at  certain  ports. 

There  is  no  specilied  limit  to  the  numbers  of  licen<'es,  but  the  issuing  i 
authorities  would  ex«'rcise  discretion  in  the  matter. 

.")(>(».  The  Nipon  INlarine  i'rodiUNS  ()omi)aiiy,  of  JIakodate,  with  a  cap- 
ital of  1-5. (UK»/.,  was  formed  to  <-arry  on  wiialingand  the  cai)tureof  sea- 
otter  and  fur-seals.  The  ("omjiaiiy  i)urcliased  three  sclutoners  of  about 
70  tons  each,  manned  by  crews  of  twenty  live  men,  for  the  purpose  of 
killing  seals  on  these  hauliiiii-grounds.  these  being  the  oidy  vi^ssels 
M'hich  have  as  yet  tak(Mi  out  the  necessary  licences.  Thes<'  tliree  ves- 
sels were  reported  to  have  taken  sixty  seals  between  them  in  18<.)1. 

5(17.  Last  year  three  "foreign"  vessels  tltted  out  in  Yokohama,  but 
their  <lestination  wan  to  the  north  of  the  .lapanese  waters;  and  two, 
tlie  "Aictic"  and  tiie  "^lystery,"  were  captured  in  the  late  autumn  by 
the  Russian  gun-boat  "Aleut"  raiding  Kobben  Island,  having  killed 
1,500  seals. 

508.  It  would  a])pear  that  the  somewhat  elaborate  Kegulations  setu]) 
by  ilu!  dajtanese  (lovernnient  in  1880  have  been  as  yet  practically  inop- 
erative. It  is  reported  that  the  (iovernmiMit  vessel,  the  "  Kaimonkaii," 
detailed  to  enfori'c  these  IJegulations  in  1801,  as  a  matter  of  fact  never 
left  her  station  at  Nemuro.  It  seems  probable,  however,  that,  with  the 
exception  of  tlie  local  shore  fishermen,  n(t  om;  else  has  been  inclined 
to  seek  for  seals  among  these  Japanese  islands  since  the  rookeries  were 
dejileted  in  1881-82. 

5(»!».  Apart  from  the  Commander  Islands,  the  most  important  breed- 
ing place  of  the  fur  seal  in  the  Western  J'acilic  at  the  present  time  is 
undoubtedly  I{ol)ben  Iveef  or  Island,  named  Tucelen  or  Seal  Island  on 
Jiussian  charts,  lying  olf  ('a|)e  Patience, on  the  east  coast  of  Saghali<Mi 
Island,  in  Okotsk  Sea.  This  is  a  low.  flat,  rocky  islet,  destitute  ()f 
haven  or  convenient  anclioiage  for  vessels,  about  1.800  feet  only  in 
lenyth  and  Jiot  more  than  50  feet  in  greatest  height,  surroumled  by 


REPORT    OF    liHITrSII    ^OM.^rISSIONKRS. 


135 


' 


sliiiifiiy  ;iih1  rocky  licaclics.  N\  lial  lilth'  is  known  of  its  liistory  is  pn-- 
haps  paiticnlai'Iy  intncstinji",  in  sliowini;-  liow  persistently  llie  I'lir-scal 
may  continue  to  resort  to  its  lavourite  haunts  in  tlie  I'aee  ofslauj;liter 
and  (listurbanee  ]>rovi(le(l  these  are  not  actually  continuous. 

When  first  discovered,  it  is  rep(trted  tiiat  tiie  st'als  fre(|ueiited  all 
l>arts  of  the  i)eripliery  of  tlu',  little  island,  but  esi)ecially  the  east  and 
iu)rth-east  sides;  at  ])resent,  in  reduced  nund)ers,  they  conyreyate 
chieliy  on  the  south-easterly  beach. 

510.  According;  U,  iMi.  J).  Webster,  now  employed  on  the  Pribyloif 
Islands  by  the  North  American  Commercial  ('ompany,  Kobben  Island 
was  cleared  of  fur-seals  by  laiding  vessels  in  lS.")l-rj."),aiid  was  thereafter 
not  }i;;ain  visited  by  sciilers  till  he  himself  went  there  in  l.STO.  The 
slau}>hter  here  referred  to  is  no  doubt  the  sanu'  with  that  uuMitioned  in 
greater  detail  by  IScammon,  who  says,  however,  that  it  occurred  in  the 
"midstof  the  Crimean  War''  (probably,  therefore,  in  l.sr>4  or  is/i")),  and 
was  carried  out  by  a  clipix'rbark  senttheicby  "'an  enterprisinj;  firm  in 
New  London,  Connecticut.*'  He  j^ives  some  further  particulars  of  this 
raid  ui)oii  llussian  territory,  and  adds  that  a  vabuible  carj;(>  of  skins 
was  ol>tained.  which  brou,uht  an  unusually  hi*,'!!  price  in  the  Kuroi>ean 
market  because  the  regular  Itussian  supply  was  cut  olf  by  the  war.* 

Webster  thinl"  ,  ti.atalter  theabove«late  theseals  gradually  increased 
again  in  uumb  r,but  nothing  is  k  lown  (>f  the  conditions  till  he  himself 
visited  KobI  ea  Island  in  1870.  Wel^stc.  lid  not  name  the  vessel  in 
which  he  visited  the  reef,  but  it  was  piol,  il.  /  either  the  "  Mauna  Loa" 
or  *',Iohu  Uright,"  as  these  two  vessels,  nominally  engaged  in  whaling, 
are  known,  from  information  afterwards  obtained  fi'om  M.  Kluge  on 
Copper  Island,  to  have  rai(U'd  IJobben  Island  in  that  year.  Web- 
89  ster.  at  this  time,  according  to  his  own  account,  assisted  in 
taking  ir»,000  skins,  though  lvluge''s  estimate  of  the  number 
taken  was  10,000.  Webster  further  informed  us  that  he  had  hoisted 
the  United  States  flag  on  the  island,  and  though  warned  that  it  was 
Kussian  territoiy  by  a  vessel  of  that  nationality,  he  j)aid  no  heed.  A 
little  later,  however,  a  Ifussian  (iovernment  vessel  ai>pearcd,  and  the 
odicer  in  command  ordered  him  to  leave  within  twenty  <lays.  lie  had 
already  sent  most  of  the  skins  to  tSan  Franciscit,  ))robabiy  on  one  (»f 
the  vessels  above  mentioned,  but  continued  killing  until  he  had  tak(Ui 
about  L*,000  more  skins. 

oil.  In  1S71,  this  island,  with  the  Commander  Islands,  was  leased  to 
Messrs.  Hutchinson,  Kohl,  I'hilliju'us,  and  Co.,  who  transferred  their 
lights  to  the  Alaska  Commendal  (Company..  Air.  KInge  went  there  in 
the  same  year  in  the  interests  of  the  lessees,  and  found  that,  in  (ionse- 
<|uenee  of  the  raid  in  ISTO,  there  were  not  over  U,()00  seals  to  b«>  found 
on  the  entire  island.  The  island  was  watched  in  that  year,  but  no 
seals  were  killed.  A  few  may  have  been  killed  in  1S7U,  tliough,  if  so, 
the  number  is  not  kmtwn;  but  Ironi  l<S7.'i  to  187<S  rather  more  than 
L',000  skins  were  on  the  average  taken  annually  by  the  Company  from 
this  one  small  reef. 

51U.  About  the  year  1870,  schooners  sailing  from  Japan  be^'f'-in  to 
fVecjuent  the  island,  and  wer<'  in  tlie  habit  of  raitling  it  in  the  autumn, 
after  the  guardians  had  been  withdrawn.  In  1881,  th<^  Company's 
agent  reuuiined  on  the  island  as  late  as  the  5th  November,  at  which 
date  five  or  six  -Japanese  schooners  were  still  hovering  about,  looking 
for  a  chance  to  land.  The  Dutch  sealer  "Otsego"  was  warned  olf  by 
the  Company's  trading  steamer  "Alexander.''  In  eonse(|Uence  of  such 
raids,  the  nund)er  of  seals  declined  from  year  to  yvav. 

*"  Murine  Maiiiin;iiia,"  ])|i.  1  l<J  to  151. 


mm 


130 


KEI'OKT    ()F    I5HITISII    COMMISSIONKUS. 


r»l.').  IM'obiibly  (liscotiiii^jcd  by  Uw  cost  and  difliciiUy  of  imttectiiipf 
tlic  island,  and  in  ordi-r  to  jircvent  competition  in  tlic  sale  of  skins,  the 
Coni|)any  in  l<S.S.'i  made  a  barbarous  attempt  to  extirpate  the  seals  on  it. 
A  full  account  of  this  attempt  is  given  in  tlie  deposition  of  C  A.  Luiid- 
beiji",*  who  arrived  at  Kobben  Island  in  the  schooner  *'  North  Star"  from 
Yokohama,  and  Ibund  the  mate  of  the  schooner  "  Leon,"  a  vessel  in  the 
employ  <)f  the  Alaska  Commercial  Comi)any,  living  on  the  island  with 
about  fifteen  Aleuts.  Lundberg  found  a  great  mass  of  dead  and  decay- 
ing seals  upon  the  shore,  which  had  been  killed  by  tliese  men,  as  tliey 
said,  in  order  to  "keep  any  of  those  Yokohama  fellows  I'rom  getting 
anything  this  year."  The  crews  of  the'*Xorth  Star"  and  anof'  •" 
S(dio(»ner,  the  "llelene,"  then  set  to  "work  to  icm()ve  the  carcasses, 
Avhich  included  those  of  many  females  and  young,  and  proved  to  )  um- 
ber between  '.>,(K)0  and  l(>,(to6.  In  the  ])ro(;ess,  they  managed  to  pick 
out  some  .'}()()  skins  in  good  condition.  "Tliere  were  thousands  of  seals 
in  the  water,  but  they  would  not  pull  out  on  the  beach  on  account  of 
the  stench  and  filth.  AVe  washed  the  beach  as  clean  as  we  could,  and 
turned  the  gravel  over  as  far  as  we  were  able.  Shortly  a  lieavy  gale 
came  on,  which  washe<l  the  beach  quite  clean  again,  and  the  seals  tlieii 
began  to  pull  out." 

r>]4.  ^V«'  were  also  informed  that  Captain  Hansen,  afterwards  master 
of  the  (iermaii  schooner  "  Adele,"  was  present  on  this  occasion.  Cap- 
tain Miner,  an  exiterienccd  sealing  master  of  Seattle,  also  visited  the 
island  in  the  same  year,  and  described  to  us  the  great  heap  of  care;'  s 
w  hich  he  found  on  the  island,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  skins  nad 
been  slashed  in  order  to  render  them  useless. 

ol."),  Jn  1.S84,  according  to  Mr.  Kluge,  the  Kussian  Government  sta- 
tioned a  steam  launch  at  the  island  for  its  i)rotection,  and  in  the  same 
year  four  scliooners,  including  the  German  schooner  "llelene,"  were 
captuied  there  by  the  Itussian  man-of-war  "  Kasbonik." 

oKJ.  In  l.S.sr».  the  launch  was  replaced  by  a  force  of  twenty  Cossacks, 
but  these  were  withdrawn  in  September,  after  which  raiding  schooners 
again  appeared.  Jn  that  year,  there  were  not  more  than  7,(K>(>  or  S,000 
seals  in  all  ui)on  the  island.  Fro;.'  1885  to  1800,  no  skins  were  taken 
by  the  Company  from  the  island,  but  in  the  last-mentioned  year  1,452 
skins  were  taken.  The  guard  was,  however,  removed  from  the  island 
between  the  iL'tli  and  the  ir»th  October,  and  after  that  date  the  island 
was  raided  by  schooners,  one  of  these,  repented  as  hailing  from  >1a])an, 
and  said  to  fly  the  United  States  Hag,  being  the  chief  ottender.  Tliese 
schooners  must  have  obtained  at  least  4,700  skins,  for  when  the  island 
was  revisited  early  in  1801,  that  number  of  carcasses  was  touiul  ui)on 
it,  and  tliese  were  buried  in  order  to  avoid  the  ellect  which  their  pres- 
ence might  have  in  preventing  seals  from  again  landing. 

517.  In  conse<)ueiM!e  of  this  heavy  slaughter,  but  520  skins  were 
obtained  by  the  Company  from  the  island  in  1801,  and  Cai)tain  lirandt, 
of  the  Kussian  gun-boat  "  Aleut,"  estinnites  the  whole  number  of  seals 
jiresent  on  the  island  at  this  date  at  about  1(5,000.  In  October  l.si)l, 
Cajitain  lirandt  returned  to  the  island  in  the  "  Aleut"  when  not 
00  expected  there,  and  cai>ture(l  two  raiding  vessels  trom  Yoko- 
hama, sailing  under  the  IJritish  Hag,  and  at  the  time  in  posses- 
sion of  1,500  fur  seal  skins. 

Captain  lUair,  of  the  Com]»any's  schooner  "  Leon,"  further  informed 
us  that  there  were  at  present  about  twenty  live  fenmles  to  each  adult 
male  on  the  islands,  a  i)roportion  of  nudes  which  he.  trom  long  experi- 
ence of  the  sealing  industry,  consi<lers  to  be  far  too  snuiU. 

*  raiiiaiiiontary  Taper  [C— 6131],  p.  363. 


RK.rORT    OF    liHTTIsH    COMMISjmONKUS. 


137 


152 

[11(1 

11(1 

ill), 

icse 
iiid 

)()!» 

res- 


iled 
ult 
eri- 


One  of  llio  dilliciilties  loiiiid  in  ^iiardiiiji"  tliis  isliind  isdiu  to  ifssiiiiill 
si/e,  ill  coiiseiiuciice  of  wiiicli  tlie  mere  jueseiK-e  of  j;iiiir(iii  lis  on  sliore 
tends  eoiitiimully  to  disturb  the  seals. 

518.  rassiiij;'  to  the  coast  of  Kanisciiatka,  IVoni  various  jjood  author- 
ities on  the  Coniniander  Islands  and  at  IVtropaiilovski,  it  was  learnt 
that  there  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  a  new  breeilinj;-  place  of  the 
fur-seal  has  been  established  near  Oajie  Stolboi  or  Cajie  Kamschatka. 
Females  with  younjj  pups  have  been  seen  olf  this  part  of  the  coast,  and 
an  attemi)t  was  made  in  18U0  to  examine  it  in  boats,  but  was  frustrated 
by  stormy  weather. 

51!).  At  Cape  Tshipunski,  also  on  the  Kamschatka  coast,  M.  (ireb- 
nitsky,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Commander  Islands,  stated  that  he 
saw  breedinjj'  fur-seals  in  1871)  or  1880,  though  it  had  been  ascertained 
in  1877  that  there  were  no  seals  there.  SubsiMiuent  to  the  time  of  M. 
Grebnitsky's  visit,  the  incipient  rookery  was  destroyed  by  hunters  jr  by 
raiding  schooners. 

520.  From  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Kamschatka  north  eastward  to  liar- 
ones  jvon"  Gulf,  a  stretch  of  coast  exists  which  has  been  entiiely  unin- 
habited for  many  years,  and  about  which  very  little  is  known.  The 
former  inhabitants  were  killed  olf  by  small-pox,  according  to  informa- 
tion received  in  1780,* 

Karaginski  Island  lies  otf  this  part  of  the  coast,  and  here  it  is  rejiorted 
that  numbers  of  seals  were  seen  in  former  years. 

51*1.  It  seems  certain  that  the  killing  and  harassingof  the  seals  which 
has  been  so  actively  carried  on  for  the  past  ten  years  or  more  from  the 
Japanese  coast,  along  the  Kurile  Islands,  has  had  the  elfect  of  causing 
these  animals  to  wander  further  atield  than  before,  and  more  or  less 
instinctively  to  seek  f<u'  new  and  secluded  breeding  jdaces. 
I  522.  Thus,  the  Lieutenant  (Jovernor  of  i*etroi)aulovski,  wlio  is  well 

*  ac«piainted  with  the  northern  coasts  of  the  Okotsk  tSea,  informed  us 

that  u})  in  the  north,  otf  the  Ola  liiver  and  in  Taiisk  Uay,  the  natives 
have  noticed  the  fur  seal  since  188(!,  though  not  before,  and  that  lishing- 
vessels  in  these  waters  occasionally  secure  one  or  two.  It  is  also  known 
that  fur-seal  occasionally  haul  out  at  various  ]>oiiits,  although  at  none 
are  they  known  to  breed.  Cajitain  lirandt,  of  the  Kussian  gunboat 
"Aleut,"  again  has  himself  recorded  as  a  new  feature  seeing  several 
fur-seals  otf  Point  Povorotny,  near  Vladivostock,  and  states  that  seals 
are  sometimes  seen  at  Cajie  Serit<dvo. 

52.').  The  facts  relating  to  the  Asiatic  coast  of  the  North  Paeitic,  out- 
lined above,  showing  as  they  do  that  several  outlying  rocks  and  islands 
in  various  latitudes,  and  atl'ccted  by  somewhat  diverse  climatic  condi- 
tions, have  been  or  are  resorted  toby  the  fur-seal  as  breeding  places,  and 
that  new  jilaces  of  resort  may  be  chosen  by  that  animal,  go  far  to  ])rove 
that  it  is  to  the  continuously  inhabited  cliaracter  of  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
and  other  islands  along  the  American  coast,  that  the  absence  of  such 
breeding  iilaces  there  at  the  i)resent  day  must  be  generally  attributed. 
This  is  fully  borne  out  by  the  notes  already  given  with  respect  to 
former  breeding  places  on  the  Califoriiian  and  Hritish  (-olumbian  and 
Alaskan  coasts,  and  may  be  adtluced  in  iavour  of  a  belief  that  witii 
proper  jirotection  new  rookeries  might  not  improbably  be  established 
in  suitable  places,  provided  tliere  be  no  disturbance  or  slaughter  by 
;nan. 

524.  This  is  jiarticnilarly  worthy  of  consideration  in  the  case  of  the 
Aleutian  Islands,  where,  in  conse<|ueii(;e  of  the  now  very  small  and 

"iiaucroft,  however,  gives  this  year  iw  17G8,  "  lliatory,"  vol.  xxxiii,  p.  IGl. 


138 


TJKPORT    OF    HHITISH    COMMISSlONKIiS. 


still  (U'crriisiiiin  iimiilM'r  «»!'  iiiitivcs,  il  \v<»iil(l  not  he  (lillicull  to  set  apart 
rcst'ivcs  lor  this  |)iii|»os(i,as  well  as  lortlic  pfopaj^atioii  of  the  sen  otU-r. 
The  ;;reatest  diriiciilty  in  the  ease  ot'  the  fiii-seal  would  doubtless  be 
louiid  in  tlie  matter  of  inducing  the  lirst  colonization  of  sueli  new 
rookery  j;ronnds,  but  as  it  has  been  s!ii>wn  that  the  smell  of  the  tbrni- 
eily  oecupied  rookeries  is  one  of  the  ehief — if  not  the  chief — attrac- 
tion io  the  lirst  arriving  seals,  and  as  tins  .sniell  is  inlKsreiit  (ihietly  in 
the  soil  of  these  rookeries,  it  is  ])erhai)s  not  unworthy  (»f  consideration 
whether  the  transfer  of  portions  of  this  sealinipreji'nated  soil,  and  its 
seatteriiifi  over  suitable  ])lac('S — ])arti(ularly  such  as  lienear  the  ini<;isi- 
tion-route  of  the  seal — ini{>ht  not  lead  totiieir  occupation.  In  any  case, 
such  reservations  would  soon  be  colonized  by  the  more  widely  wander- 
ing' sea  lions  and  haii-seals,  and  the  security  and  increase  of  these 

would  ])robably  after  a  time  have  the  effect  of  ])roducinf>-  a 
91         sens«^  of  safety  which  might  iiiduce  the  fur-seal  to  take  up  its 

abode  there  at  the  breeding  season.  The  principal  objection  to 
experiments  of  this  kind  wouhl  be  the  cost  of  allbrding  the  ne<'cssary 
])rotection,  but  if  such  islands  were  also  stockt'd  with  and  preserved 
for  the  blue-fox,  the  sale  of  the  skins  of  this  animal  might  alone,  in  the 
couise  of  a  few  years,  be  sulllcient  to  cover  a  large  jtart  of  this  cost. 

oL'."*.  Similar  measures  would,  of  course,  be  also  worthy  of  considera- 
tion in  the  case  of  various  ])iaces  on  the  shores  of  British  Columbia,  or 
on  the  Asiatic  coasts  of  the  I'acitic. 


II. — Katives  of  the  Coasts  oi'  liiirnsii  C/ilumbta  and  Alaska 

J)II{1X;TLV   INIKKKSTKl)  IN   iXDIOPKKDKNT  SlOALlNCJ.      jME'J'IIODS  OF 

IIuntjnct,  and  iS'rMnFU  taken. 

niifJ.  The  native  peoples  of  the  west  coast  of  America  directly  inter- 
ested in  the  cai)ture  of  the  fur-seal  are  the  following: 

1.  Aleut. 

2.  lOskimo,  or  Innnit,  including  Kaniagmnt,  of  Kadiak  Island  and 
vicinity,  and  Chaga-Chigmut,  of  I'lince  William  Sound,  with  probably 
sonur  otlu'r  tribes  of  lesser  imi)ortan(!e. 

;}.  The  Tlinkit,  or  Koloshan  tribes  of  Soutii-eastern  Alaska. 

4.  The  llaida,  of  the  (^Jueen  (Miarlotte  Islands;  with  the  Kaigani,  of 
the  southern  extremity  of  the  Alaskan  coast-strij). 

5.  The  Tshimsian,  of  the  inner  coast  of  Hecate  Strait. 
0.  The  llailtzuk  tribes,  to  the  south  of  the  last. 

7.  The  Ivwakiool  tribes  of  the  northern  ])art  of  Vancouver  Island. 

8.  Tiie  Aht,  or  Kootkan  tribes,  of  the  west  coast  of  the  same  islaiul, 
and  including  the  linguistically-identical  Makah,  of  Neah  Bay  and  Cape 
Flattery. 

527.  All  these  peoi)le  have  known  and  hunted  the  fur-seal  from  time 
immemorial,  and  in  all  cases  either  within  the  limits  of  what  has  been 
referred  to  as  the  winter  habitat  of  the  seal,  or  along  the  course  of  its 
northward  migration-route.  So  long  as  the  breeding  islands  remained 
uninhabited  by  man,  the  seal  was  practically  exemi)t  from  his  attacks 
in  its  summer  habitat. 

528.  The  amount  of  the  interest  of  these  native  ])eoplesin  this  jmrsuit 
has  initurally  varied  in  accord aiu-e  with  (changing  circumstances,  and 
has,  in  most  cases,  been  notably  stimulated  by  the  higher  ju-ices  which 
have  ruled  for  skins  within  the  last  twenty  years.     Their  aborigii\!\l 


1 


RKPOUT    OF    nillTISII    roMMISSIONKKS. 


mo 


i 


iiHMlrsof  liniitiii.u' tlic  I'lir  seal  iirc  sonicwlial  viiricil,  iiicliidiiijjf  tlir  spnir, 
l»(»\v  iiiid  iinow,  net,  iuid  t'liil);  Imt  in  iiutst  casrs  tlic  j;imi  is  now  tlic 
-weapon  employed. 

uUl>.  Aleuts. — Tiie  liuntiiif,'  <>!'  fur  .seals  by  llie  Aleuts  inliabitinj;'  the. 
eastern  part  of  the  Aleutian  chain  has  already  been  referred  to  in  con- 
nection -with  the  inijirations  of  the  seal.  Tlie  Aleuts  of  Iliulnik  Settle- 
ment at  IJnalaskii,  stated  that  they  j;enerally  jiot  twenty  or  thirty  seals 
in  the  early  ])art  of  tlie  summer  and  when  on  their  way  north.  Th«'y 
are  enfjaged  in  liunting  the  sea-otter  at  this  season,  and  take  a  stray 
seal  if  they  (Ind  it.  Such  seals  are  ficnerally  yot  along  the  southern 
side  of  the  islands,  but  the  seal  huntinj-'  season  proper  is  in  the  autumn. 
In  hunting  seals,  these  natives  employ  tlu;  same  methods  as  in  sea-otter 
hnntiii}^.  They  use  a  '4)idarka,"or  li<;ht  skin-boat,  in  which  they  some- 
times go  as  far  as  'Jo  or  30  miles  from  land.  The  si)ear,  launched  by 
means  of  a  throwinji-stick,  was  foiinerly  most  employed,  but  is  now 
beinjj  su])erseded  by  the  gnu  loaded  with  buckshot.  They  generally 
shoot  from  a  distance  of  40  or  aO  yards,  and  hawi  i)lenty  of  time  t<t 
paddle  uj)  in  the  bidarkaand  jjet  the  seal  before  it  sinks,  TluMlead 
seal  is  taken  either  with  the  hand  or  by  means  of  a  j-alf  carried  for  the 
puri)ose.  Grey  ])ups  always  lioat  when  killed,  bein<;'  very  fat.  An  old 
male,  or  a  fennde  over  two  yc^ars  of  aj;e,  j;cnerally  sinks  when  shot, 
l)arti<!ularly  in  the  autumn,  when  seals  of  these  kinds  are  thin.  A 
female  w^ith  younj,^  nniy  sink,  but  more  slowly.  These  natives,  however, 
allirm  that  they  never  lose  a  seal  if  killed.  Mr.  Dirks,  now  ajient  for 
the  Alaska  Commercial  Compijny  at  Atka  Island,  states  that  when 
previously  stationed  at  iSannakh  Islands,  he  has  seen  the  Aleuts  there 
])ursue  and  overtake  fur  seals  in  their  lij>htbidarkas,  a  feat  which  would 
be  in)i)ossible  with  any  boat. 

i)oO.  Nets  were  Ibrnierly  em])loj'ed  by  the  Aleuts  of  Unalaska  and 
neiyhbourinjv  islands  Ibr  the  ca])tm'e  of  sea-otter,  fur  seal,  and  hair-seal. 
These  are  described  as  haviufj;'  been  from  L'O  to  110  fathoms  in  length. 
kSucdi  nets  were  set  about  the  rocks,  j>enerally  a  mile  or  so  from  shore. 
They  are  still  used  «)n  the  iSannakh  Islands,  but  have  elsewhere  been 
l>ractically  abandoned  in  conseipienee  of  the  iucreasin<i' wariness  of  the 
sea  otter. 

531.  The  fur-seals  killed  by  the  Aleuts  afford  practi<!ally  the 
92  the  only  Hesh  meat  which  they  are,  umler  ordinary  circumstances, 
able  to  obtain,  and,  as  food,  are  hij^hly  ]»rize(l  by  thciii.  In  1S!)0, 
for  the  Urst  time,  the  United  States  Ciovernnu*nt  prohibited  the  killii  ij 
of  fur-seals  by  thci  Aleuts  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  but  this  rule  has  so 
far  been  i)ractically  inoperative,  in  eonseciuence  of  the  want  of  means 
f<u'  its  enforcement. 

532.  The  Aleutian  Islands  were  originally  thickly  inhabited,  and 
settlements  existed  on  iiearly  all  those  of  considerable  size.  Soon  after 
the  Itussian  discovery,  measures  were  taken  to  coiwentrate  the  Aleuts 
in  a  few  islands,  where  they  mijiht  be  more  easily  coiurolled.  The 
decrease  in  number  of  inhabitants  has  since  then  been  continuous,  and 
the  number  of  inhabited  villaffca  is  now  small.  Jn  the  eastern  ]>ait  of 
the  chain  the  followinj>-  jdaces  are  still  inhabited,  and  to  all  o*'  them 
the  remarks  abr)vc  nuide,  with  s])e(!ial  reference  to  Unalaska,  arc  equally 
ajiplicable.  On  Unalaska  Ishmd,  lliuluik,  Makushin,  Kashega,  Tsher- 
nofsky;  on  Spiskin  Island,  Burka;  on  Akutan  Island,  Akutan;  on  Akun 
Ishiiui,  Akun;  and  on  Umnak  Island,  Nikolsky. 

533.  The  most  westerly  of  these  villages  is  that  on  Umimk  Island. 
The  Tiext  ])erinanently  iidiabited  placQ  is  Nazan  Hay,  Atka  Island,  L'l(> 
miles  further  west,  and  beyond  this  there  now  exists  but  one  permanent 


w 


140 


REPORT   OF    RRITFSH    COMMISSIONERS. 


sctlh'iiiciil,  tliat  on  C'liicliiif^otl'  Iliiiboiir,  Attn  Isljind,  at  ii  fiirtlicr  dis- 
taiict' of  no  less  tliiui  4H(Miiil('s.  Tin- Alt'uls  resident  at  tliese  places, 
liowever.  dnring  the  siuniner  months,  hunt  troni  ishind  to  island  alon^ 
silinost  tJie  entire,  chain,  with  all  parts  of  whii;h  they  are  conseiiuently 
nioic  or  less  familiar. 

5.'J4.  At  Atkii  island,  fur-seals  are  occasionally  seen.  In  formeryears, 
they  sometimes  were  observed  to  i)ass  on  their  way  north  between  Atka 
aiui  Amlia  islands,  but  never  of  late,  (iiey  i)ups  are  not  infrequently 
taken  about  Atka  in  November.  Tlui  Aleuts  here  do  not  make  a  busi- 
ness of  hunting  the  fur-seal  at  any  time,  but  when  seen  kill  them  with 
sea-otter  s])ears.  The  tlesh  is  i)rized  for  food.  At  Attn  K''^y  pnpf^  i>re 
never  seen,  but  larj^er  seals  are  occasionally  not.  They  are  generally 
sj)eared,  as  at  Atka  island.  The  sjiear  i'mjdoyed  in  both  cases  has  a 
small  detachable  ivory  or  eopiier  head,  and  is  impelled  l)y  means  of  a 
throwing-stick.  Tlie  bidarka  is  used  in  liunting  by  these  as  by  the 
other  Aleut  tribes. 

~i',ii).  Innvit. — The  Ivaniagmut  Iiniuit  peojde,  inhabiting  ICadiak 
Island,  kill  a  few  fur-seals  in  the  earlier  ])ar(  of  the  summer,  when  they 
are  engaged  in  liunting  the  sea  otter.  They  emi)loy  the  skin  bidarka 
or  kayak,  and  use  an  ivory-tii)ped  arrow  with  detachable  head,  shot 
Jrom  a  bow.  The  same  style  of  w'eajmn  is  used  along  the  Aliaska  penin- 
sula, and  is  probably  co-exteu.sive  with  the  limits  of  the  Innuit  jteoples 
of  this  region.  In  Trince  William  Sound,  the  Chaga-Chigmut  tribe 
formerly  made  a  sjjecial  business  of  the  ])ursuit  of  tlie  fur-seal,  often 
getting,  within  recent  jears,  as  many  as 200  skins  in  a  season.  In  1891, 
the  number  obtained  was  about  tifty  oidy. 

o3(i.  Tlinlit. — To  the  eastward  and  southward  of  the  Aleut  and 
liiuuit  peoi)]es,  the  skin  boat  is  replaced  by  the  wooden  dug-out  canoe, 
which,  though  comparatively  rude,  as  made  among  the  Tlinkit  peoples, 
is  nevertheless  a  serviceable  craft,  and  with  the  Ilaida  and  other  north- 
ern tribes  of  the  coast  of  liritish  Columbia,  becomes  perfected  in  con- 
struction, and  assumes  lines  of  almost  ideal  form. 

i'hil.  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Sitka,  the  Indians  systematically  hunt 
the  fur-seal  in  the  spring  and  early  summer.  They  form  camps  at  suit- 
able si)ots  on  the  outer  coast  for  this  i)urpose,  the  favourite  i)laces  being 
between  Cross  and  Salisbury  Sounds,  particularly  about  Cape  i<]dwards. 
In  some  years  as  many  as  TOO  skins  are  got,  but  in  1891  about  300  only 
were  obtained.  Three  or  four  Indians  man  a  canoe,  and  when  the 
weather  is  favourable  start  about  two  o'<'lock  in  the  morning  for  the 
hunt.  They  continue  paddling  or  sailing  until  near  noon,  and  believe 
that  they  often  get  thus  as  far  as  sixty  miles  from  the  shore.  They 
then  hunt  for  six  or  seven  hours  before  setting  out  on  their  return,  and 
reach  the  land  early  the  following  morning.  Such  a  trip  is  made  abiuit 
once  a-week  when  the  weather  is  tine,  and  the  hunters  consider  them- 
selves fortunate  if  they  can  make  ten  trii)S  in  all  during  the  season. 

538.  The  Indians  here  lu'st  saw  schooners  hunting  oft"  the  coast  about 
ten  years  ago,  but  heard  of  them  before  this.  Some  of  these  people 
are  em])loyed  in  sealing-schooners  sailing  from  Sitka. 

r)3!>.  The  seals  were  forjnerly  killed  with  s])ears:  rifles  were  after- 
wards emjdoyed  to  some  extent,  but  in  late  years  the  gun,  with  buck- 
shot, has  been  adopted  by  almost  all.  The  Indians  state  tliat  the  seals 
sometimes  sink  when  shot,  the  i>roi)ortion  thus  lost  being  sometimes 
one,  sometimes  two,  out  of  ten.  One  man  informed  us  that  he  had  in 
1.S91  got  nineteen  skins  and  had  lost  four  in  addition,  all  of  which  Le 
felt  sure  he  killed. 


kls. 

'ly 

Ihe 

the 
[ve 
ley 
11(1 
jut 
lin- 

lut 
l)1e 


Ills 
|es 


RF,roRT  OF  lunrisir  (ommissionkks. 


141 


540.  TlioTliiikit(ll!iiH'};iihil)t')  of  Kliiwak  on  IJncarelli  Sound,  Piiiu'P 
of  Wales  Island,  arc  n(t\v  niiiij;l»'d  with  sonic  Indians  of  Kaij,'aid 
(Haida)  oxtrmttion.  They  have  not  in  'eceiit  years  hunted  the  tur  seal 
in  spring  or  summer,  beinjjf  more  remuneratively  and  less  arduously 
employed  at  that  season  in  salmon  canneries,  or  at  other  work. 
1)3  Uurinfi  the  winter,  however,  most  of  the  men  hunt  the  fur-seal 
to  a  {(reater  or  less  extent;  ii  sinjilc  hunter  sometimes  {••cttin«>'  as 
nuiny  as  twenty  skins  in  a  season.  Here,  five  men  often  go  toyetlicr 
in  a  canoe,  the  canoes  used  beinjj  larger  than  those  at  Sitka.  In  the 
sprinj;  ami  early  summer  the  seals  are  far  off  shore,  but  in  the  winter 
months  they  come  (dose  in,  ])articularly  the  };ray  pups  and  yearlinjis. 
About  two  years  ago, seals  api»cared  in  great  numbers,  in  a  good  season, 
2{M  or  3((0  skins  are  secured  at  Klawak,  tor  which  2  dollars  to  !>  dollars 
is  ]»ai(l  by  the  traders  on  the  spot.  The  llesh  is  sometimes  eaten,  but 
not  now  so  nuudi  as  formerly,  though  the  fat  is  still  prized  as  tbod. 

'>il.  Ilaidd. — lu  the  northern  part  of  the  (J^ueen  Charlotte  islands 
(lying  off  the  northerti  extreme  of  the  coast  line  of  l>ritish  <'»»luinbia), 
i^Iassetis  now  thej)riiicipal  Indian  Settlement.  Here  the  Ilaida  jicople 
who  formerly  inhabited  ])eriiuinent  villages  at  Virago  Sound,  North 
Island,  and  elsewhere,  now  centre,  though  still  resorting  for  purposes 
of  hii'iting  and  tisl.ing  to  their  old  homes,  hnpiiries  made  at  Masset 
among  the  Indians  (including  Chief  Edeiisaw,  an  old  but  very  intel- 
ligent man),  with  other  infiuination  obtaiiu'd,  enable  the  following 
statenuMits  to  be  made  res])ecting  fur-seal  hunting  by  the  Ilaida  ])coplc. 

"42.  About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  the  sea-otter  was 
very  abundant,  and  was  systematically  hunted.  Fur-seals  wer(i  often 
seen,  and,  when  re(|uired  tor  food,  were  shot  with  arrows  tipped  with 
the  bone  of  the  whale,  or  sjjcarcd,  though  the  skins  at  that  tinu'  were 
of  little  value.  About  the  year  184(!  (the  year  in  which  I''<)rt  Victoria 
was  established)  the  Ilaida  lirst  began  to  make  a  business  of  hunting 
the  fur-seal  for  skins,  (inns  were  employed  from  the  lirst  in  this  hunt- 
ing, loaded  either  with  buck-shot  or  with  "  trade  bullets,"  three  to  a 
charge.  At  first  comi>aratively  few  skins  were  got,  but  for  the  past 
fifteen  years  a  considerable  number  has  been  obtained — in  two  of  tliese 
years  1,000  skins  or  more.  In  ISTJ},  a  post  of  the  Hudson's  liay  Com- 
pany was  established  at  Masset,  chiefly  for  the  ])urpose  of  buying  fur- 
seal  skins  from  the  Indians,  ami  tlu*  increased  activity  of  the  lo<!al 
hunters  coinci<les  with  this  date.  The  Indians  first  saw  schooners 
engaged  in  hunting  off  this  part  of  the  coast  about  thirteen  years  ago. 

043.  The  hunting  season  is  the  spring  and  early  summer,  and  most 
of  the  hunting  is  done  in  Dixon  Kntr:, nee,  where  the  hunters  have  a 
good  chance  of  making  the  land  safely,  either  to  the  south  or  noith,  if 
bad  weather  comes  on.  They  know  that  seals  are  often  abundant  in 
the  open  ocean  to  the  westward,  but  seldom  go  far  out  in  that  directi<>;i 
because  of  the  danger  of  being  blown  off  ami  lo.st.  North  Island  is  .i 
favourite  starting-jjoint  for  the  hunters. 

544.  In  hunting  there  are  usually  four  i>addlers  in  a  canoe,  and  oiu*, 
man  to  shoot.  When  shot  through  the  head,  and  at  once  killed,  the 
seals  frequently  sink,  and  long  ago  hunters  often  lost  seals  in  this  way; 
now  they  spear  the  seals  as  soon  as  they  are  shot,  and  seldom  lose  any. 
The  males  are  the  most  apt  to  sink,  wliile  females  with  young  always 
float.  Mr.  1\.  11.  Hall,  fornu'riy  in  charge  of  the  northern  coast  ])osts 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  who  has  himself  been  at  sea  witli  the 
Haida  when  hunting,  as  the  result  of  his  own  exi)erience,  states  that  if 
a  seal  is  lightly  wounded  with  shot  it  geiu'rally  escapes,  as  it  is  tiien 
impossible  to  overtake  it  with  a  single  canoe.    If  severely  wounded  or 


142 


UKPOUT    Ol'    IMMTISII    CoMMISSlONKRS. 


killiMl  ou'riylif,  tlui  H»':il  is  s»I<lom  lost.  After  a  short  tiiin'  tlic  liody 
^i'lK'i'iilly  l)«>;;iiis  to  sink ;  hiit"iin  lii<liiiii  killiiiji;  or  luidly  \voiiiMliii<;  a 
seal  is  pn'tty  s;it'«' to  j;rt  it."  lie  lias  scni  llin'c  seals  shot,  anil  two 
of  tliciii  left  lloatin*;  till  tli(>  tiiiid  one  lired  at  was  pii-ketl  np. 

r»ir».  The  Indians  si>okeii  to  werennable  to  ;iivea  pi'iceiitajic  ratio  of 
seals  lost  when  shot,  i>nt  in  ordei'  to  reacli  s(ini<>  conclusion  on  this  point, 
with  rev:iU'<l  t<t  these  particular  Indian  hunters,  those  who  had  lately 
killed  considerable  nuniliers  of  seals  were  specilically  (luostioned  with 
the  followiiij;'  result : 

lluntci'  No.  1. —  In  the  huntin<;  season  of  ISiU  jjot  Ul  seals;  lost  none. 

Hunter  No.  1. —  In  the  seas<in  of  lS!to  <;-ot  .ts  seals;  lost  .">  in  addition. 

Iliiiiter  No.  L*. —  In  the  seas(»n  of  1SU0  f,'(it  .".7  seals;  lost  none. 

Hunter  No..'?. —  In  ISSII  -;ot  I'Jd  .seals;  lost  non«'. 

Hunter  No.  I. —  In  1SS!»  n-of  <(o  seals;  lost .'»  in  addition. 

The  Ila'da  seldom  sliip  as  hunters  in  sealiu;!:'  sciiooners,  but  the  two 
last  inentioiM'd  catches  were  made  in  couMcction  with  a  .schooner  on 
which  these  hunti-is  were  en}j;aut'd,  and  nntst  (»f  the  seals ii(»t  w*'re  taken 
in  r.ehrinj;"  Sea,  "too  far  from  slioie  to  see  the  laiul."  They  are  not«'(l 
here  as  indicatinn'  the  skill  of  the  llaida  liunt«'rs. 

r»Hi.  Chief  ICdcnsaw  explained  that  lon^  a.uo,  when  ships  first  bejiau 
to  conu'  to  buy  sea  otter  skins  (in  the  latlei-  years  of  the  last  ceiiliiry 
and  earlier  years  of  the  present  century),  his  ju  nple  were  well  oil',  yct- 
tinjjf  plenty  of  };ood  clothes.  «]<:('.,  in  exchanjj^e  for  tliese  skins.  When 
tliescaotter  became  v«'ry  scarce  the  t rad in. y  vessels  ceased  to 
•.)1  com(>,  and  for  many  years  the  llaida  were  very  poor,  and  had  to 
return  to  the  ise  of  skin  clot  liiii"'.  Their  condition  has,  ho\v(>\(']', 
improved  a^iaiu  in  later  .vears,  partly  because  of  th«' money  they  iire  able 
toobtain  for  the  fur  seal  skins,  partly  on  account  of  the  ;irowth  of  other 
industries  alon^  the  coast  in  which  they  can  enjiajje.  The  llaida  ji'cn- 
erally,  comiilain  that  the  c«uitiniicd  Imntinii'  of  the  fur-seal  has  caused 
it  to  keep  far  o(V  shore,  and  has  rendered  it  so  shy,  that  it  is  now  beccuii- 
iiifj'  dillieult  to  earn  nioiicy  near  their  homes  by  huntinji;  the  seal  as 
bi'Ibre.  Theyiire,  in  conse(|uence,  oblij[i;ed  to  leave  their  homes  in  search 
of  other  work. 

otT.  The  above  notes  lefer  particularly  to  the  norllieru  pai't  of  the 
(^>ueen  Charlotte  Islands.  Special  iiKiuiries  were  not  made  anioiiii'  the 
southern  llaida  iiibes.  Man.y  years  ajid  there  were  numerous  villa<;0 
eomniunities  scailered  alonj;  the  outer  west  coast  of  the  islands,  but 
these  have  yradnally  abandoned  this  coast,  and  coalesced  with  tlielarf>e 
eomnuinities  of  the  eastern  coast.  It  is,  therefore,  now  dillieult  to 
obtain  facts  res])ectiii;u'  the  outer  coast,  where,  however.,  in  connection 
with  the  seaottcr  hiintinj''.  many  fur  seals  were  doubMess  formerly 
killed.     The  llaida  eat  the  tiesh  of  the  fiir-.seal,  and  est>'em  it  highly. 

olS.  Tshinixidu. — TIh^  principal  fur  seal  hnntiiiii'  station  of  theTsliim- 
sian  trib«'s  ])roper  is  upon  /ayas  Island.  They  hunt  in  the  spring',  from 
this  place  as  a  centre,  in  tlu^  eastern  i)art  of  Dixon  Entrance  and  north- 
ern part  of  Hecate  Strait.  Till  about  thirty  years  ayo  these  iieople 
never  systematically  en<;it}i'ed  in  hunting' the  fur-seal,  thou jjli  they  knew 
that  their  neiiihbours.  tlu  llaida,  loni:  before  this  took  fur-seals.  Each 
huntiiifj:  canoe  is  here  usually  manned  by  four  i)er.sons.  and  jiuns  apjK'ar 
to  have  been  employed  from  the  befiinninji'  of  the  systematic  huntinf? 
by  the  Tsliimsians.  r.uck-shot,  or  trade  bullets  of  twenty-ei,iiht  to  the 
l>ound,  three  to  six  in  a  chaiiie,  are  used.  Three  canoes  huiitin.n'  from 
Zayas  Island  in  ISiM)  obtained  catches  of  seventy,  lifty.  and  tweiity- 
eijiht  skins,  respectively,  duriiii"'  the  season.  The  trade  prices  jKiid  for 
these  skins  on  the  spot  in  1891  ranyed  from  3  dollars  to  3  d(d.  oO  c.  for 


RKi'oirr  OF  iiunisn  commissionkk's. 


14;} 


111*', 

the 

;ii;0 
hut 

t  to 
tioii 
'ilv 
lily. 
Iiiin- 
IVcmi 
\yth- 

DplO 
llU'W 

liicli 
l)t'av 
tiiij? 
the 
■roll) 
ntv- 
for 
lor 


i 


"  f^icy  |tii|».H''  t(t  17  (htlliirs  lor  licst  skins.  'I'!u'  iiiiihIk'I'  of  skins  ^cil  in 
Viiiions  y«'iiis  (irpcnds  of  conrsc  on  thr  iilinnthinrc  of  seals  iinM  lln 
charactn'  ol'  tiir  \v»'atiit'r:  Init  tiicro  is  also  a  ^p-at  (litl't'icncc  I'mni  yrjir 
to  year  in  tli<«  niMiilicr  oV  hnntcrs.  ^uvernct!  liy  the  piiees  of  skins,  ami 
the  wajjes  oU'eicd  lor  (ither  witik.  I'rohahly,  ahont  L'OO  skins  ait^  taken 
each  year  at  present  by  these  Indians,  hut  as  tlies«'  are  l)ou;,'ht  by  vaii 
ous  tiadei's,  il  is  diHietdt  to  ;;et  e\aet  li;:iires, 

~>V.).  A  spear  (tr  hook  about  twenty  teel  in  I«'Uj;tli  is  often  used  to 
recover  tln^  seal  when  shot,  and  the  Indian  hunters  (lucstioned  statetl 
that  thi\y  had  never  lost  a  seal  when  killed. 

TmO.  The  Kitkatia  tribe  of  the  'I'shiinsians,  whos(^  |»eiinanent  villa^^e 
JH  sitiuited  on  (ioseheii  Island,  aic  lM»ted  as  lurseal  liuntns,  thoiij^h, 
because  of  tln^  facility  in  obtaining  employment  with  re^iilai' wa;;»'s,  in 
lat«^  years  they  have  not  paid  so  mneh  attention  to  this  linntin;^'  as 
belbre.  They  resoi  t  to  iionilla  Island  in  the  se;',l  hnntinj;'  season,  and 
in  1S!>1  tluM'e  weic  there  seventy  hunters  with  tlu^ir  families.  The  nnm- 
ber  of  skins  obtained  this  year  was,  however,  snuill,  as  most  of  the 
hunters  sulVered  IVom  the  inlluen/a  epidemic,  (lenerally  speakinj;, 
about  .'too  skins  are  taken  in  spring:  ami  early  snnnner. 

.~>.'»1.  These  pe<»ple  hunt  in  Ilecate  Strait,  and  theii-  mode  of  hunting' 
is  the  same  as  tha  practised  by  the  Tsliimsians  proper.  A  few  of  the 
Kitkatlas  have  been  employed  on  sealin.i;  schooners  foi'  the  past  Ibni' 
or  five  years,  but  no  laryc  nnndiers  from  any  of  the  Tshimsian  f;ioup 
of  t>'ibes  enjiajie,  in  this  species  ol"  hnntiii.u'.  Mr.  I».  Cnnninuham,  who 
has  been  for  twenty-live  years  fanriliai' wit  h  the  Inili;  is  of  ihislriite, 
states  that  the  seals  do  not  usnally  sink  at  ouce  unless  the  breath 
escapes  from  the  body. 

.■».'")L'.  Iliiilzulc. — The  Ilail/.uk  tribes,  of  tin^  vicinity  of  Milbaidc  Sound, 
resort  chielly  to  the  (Mitlyin};'  iirouj),  nann-d  the  (loose  Islands,  iit  the 
sealhuiitin,n'  season  in  sprinjj.  A  niunber  of  these  Indians,  includ- 
iii}>'  several  well-known  seal  hunters,  were  interviewed  at  I>ella  iJella. 
They  stated  that  in  ancient  times  tin;  far  seal  was  killed  by  their  fore 
lath'  I's  only  for  food.  Sea  otters  were  abundant,  and  the  skin  of  the 
seal  was  not  of  miu'li  value.  When  a  fur  seal  was  killed,  it  was  kept 
ouly  if  fat.  The  llesh  is  sometimes  eaten  still,  but  not  so  mncli  as 
fonuerly.  thoii<;h  the  tat  is  always  kept  for  food.  The  best  part  of  tht^ 
seal  for  t'ood  is  the  Hipper.  I'lefbrc  <;uiis  were  in  common  use,  the  spear 
was  employed  exclusively  in  the  ])ursuit  of  the  sea  (»tter  and  lurseal, 
but  Tiow  one  hunter  only  still  continues  to  use  the  s])ear.  They  bef>an 
huntiii;^'  fur-seals  as  a  business  about  twenty  years  a^o — not  so  \ou<x 
iV^o  as  twenty-live  y<'ars,  which  they  renuMubered  because  of  the  small 
pox.  (Jiius  are  now  emi)loye(l,  loaded  with  l)uck  shot,  or  with  three 
trade  bullets.  They  hunt  only  in  their  own  canoes,  with  two  to  four 
nuMi  in  each  canoe:  and  in  these  they  sometimes  ^o  so  far  from  land 
that  only  the  mountains  about  Cape  Clalvert  remain  in  si^ht.  ()c<a 
sionally  they  sp-iid  a  ninht  at  sea, 

r»5L'*,  The  seal  is  sometinu's  shot  from  a  distance  of  not  more 

Do         than  20  feet,  Avhen  sleepiuij,  but  often  at  much  <;reater  distam-es. 

It  is  taken  into  the  canoe  with  the  hand.  or.  if  bej;ii.nin,i;   to 

sink,  a  sjiearor  jjalf  is  used.     .Males  sink  more  freiiuently  than  females, 

S.^S.  These  ])eople  were  unable  to  state  any  delinite  i)roi)ortion  as 
between  the  seals  recovcMcd  and  those  lost  by  them,  but  tlu'y  are  not 
accounted  very  skilful  hunters.  The  largest  number  taken  by  a  siu.ule 
canoe  in  one  day  in  1S!»1  was  eijjfht.  ami  in  this  case  two  that  weic 
killed  were  lost  in  addition.  About  oOO  lurseal  skins  in  all  were 
obtaiued  by  the  Bella-lielhi  |ieo|)le  alone  iu  l.SOJ,  whicdi  was  a  good 


Mi 


144 


RKPOHT    or    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


year;  und  noiirly  all  tiieso  wcro  broajjlit  in  by  tlioir  own  po-opcir.tivr- 
sToic,  and  sold  aftcrwanls  in  N'ictoiia.  The  liifihcst  piiitc  they  {jot  at 
Victoria  was  1(!  (iollars.  TIio  Indians  'loro  voluntaiily  expressed  their 
willinjjness  to  conforni  to  any  laws  made  as  to  the  killin{>'  of  liir-seals, 
bnt  re(|ueste(l  that  they  n;iuht  be  informed  in  time. 

'hhi.  Kicahiool. — Nawitti.  on  Hope  Island,  at  the  northern  end  of  Van- 
eonver  Island,  is  the  place  most  noted  as  a  centr(M)f  far  seal  hnntinj; 
anion};  the  Kwakiool  tribes.  The  j»eo|)le  here  hunt  i)rincipally  in  the 
winter,  and  do  not  resort  to  special  luintiiij;  stations.  Tiiey  start  on 
linntinji-  trijis  very  often  from  Nawitti  villaj^e  itself,  and  brinjj;-  larjje 
(piantities  of  seal  meat,  which  tlu\\  relish  as  food,  back  to  this  [)lace. 
They  hunt  in  their  own  canoes,  and  few  of  them  have  ever  been 
emi)ioycd  on  schooners.  Nearly  all  the  men  enjjase  nn»re  or  less  in 
huntinji'  at  the  proper  season.  Sjiears  were  formerly  used  in  hunting;, 
but  j^nns  are  now  always  employed,  thou;.;li  the  speai'  is  still  made  use 
of  to  recrover  the  seal  after  it  has  been  shot.  TlH^  seals  shot  sometimes 
sink  before  they  can  ])ick  them  up,  bnt  this  happens  cluelly  when  they 
are  shot  in  tin'  lu'ad  and  kil'ed  at  once.  Mr.  A.  W.  Iluson,  who  is 
familiar  with  this  part  of  the  coast,  siuics  tliat  in  some  years  he  has 
bin-ielf  obtained  in  trade  as  nniny  as  1(K»  skins  from  the  Indians  of  the 
Na\  itti  villajic  abuie. 

">.",».  Kur  seals  are  also  hunted  by  tln^  (i)uatsin(),  Klaskaino,  and  other 
tribes  of  the  Kwakiool  family,  but  the  numbers  obtained  by  them  are 
not  known  to  be  considerable,  aud  time  did  not  adnut  of  special  visits 
to  their  villajics. 

o.'jt!,  .1///. — The  Alitor  Nootkan  tribes,  inhabitin;;-  the  whole  of  that 
part  of  the  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island  to  the  south  of  Cape  Cook, 
are  the  nu>st  noted  of  the  IJritish  Columbian  Indians  as  expert  fur-seal 
hunters.  The  .Makah,  of  Cape  Flattery,  in  tiu^  State  of  VVashin.nton 
are  a  <letaclied  trilx^  of  the  same  stock.  These  Aht  people  furnish  by 
far  the  larger  pait  of  the  Indian  hunters  eni])Ioy''d  on  sealinjjf  schooru'rs, 
and  have  to  a  j^rcat  extent  abandoned  their  ori<ii'>id  method  of  seal- 
in<>'  in  canoes  from  the  shore  in  consequence.  The  number  of  skins 
still  obtained  by  them  as  indepen<lent  hunters  is,  however,  iH)t  incon- 
sitlerable. 

'iitl.  They  an^  chosen  as  hunters  for  the  s<>alin<f  schooners  in  prefer- 
ence to  the  liulians  of  the  northern  i)ait  of  the  coast.  ])arlly  because  of 
their  ex|>eru'nee  and  dext''rity  in  the  use  of  the  si)ear,  but  also  because 
they  are  accustonu'd  to  hunt  in  comparatively  sundl  c,»n<>(>^,  ".■e(piirin«;" 
fewer  men,  and  takinj;'  u])less  room  on  the  stdnxmer's  deck.  The  north- 
ern Indians  reipiire  larger  canoes,  and  usually  no  {jreater  nund)ei'  of 
skins  is  taken  by  a  larf^e  canoe  than  by  a  snudl  one.  It  is  trn(^  that  the 
spear  has,  even  ann)ng'  these  jn'ople,  in)w  been  larji'cly  replaced  by  the. 
}iun,  but,  meanwhile,  they  have  become  familiar  with  the  method  of 
huntiiifj'  from  schooners.  Still  another  cause  is  fouml  in  the  fact,  that 
the  Alits  are  by  no  nu'ans  so  favourably  dispos<  d  as  oth(>r  coast  tribes 
toward  devotinj;  themselves  to  regular  occupation,  such  as  cannery 
Mork  or  lofi^jinji'. 

floS.  Th(>  Aids  are  divided  into  a  lar}>e  nund)cr  o{'  tribes  and  villa};o 
eoniimiiiities,  from  many  of  which  details  as  to  seal-hniitiii};  have  not 
been  obtained,  but  the  Ibllowinji'  inttes  on  sonu'  of  tlu'in  nniy  be  taken 
as  exaniplch*.  of  the  whole: 

Iluntin";'  in  canoes  fron»  the  shore  is  stdl  practised  at  Xootka  Sonntl, 
where  the  huntinji'  season  embraces  about  three  months  of  the  later 
winter  and  early  sprinj;.  The  liiuiters  fio  tuit  a  lonin'  way  from  shore, 
and,  when  the  weather  is  line,  scnnetimes  stay  tw()  days  at  sea.    Tlnj 


I 


REPORT  OF  ninrisii  commissionkks. 


145 


skins  obtained  are  disposed  of  to  various  traders, but,  in  all  probability, 
about  l!(H)  are  jiot  at  this  place  annually.  One  of  (lie  Imnters  said  that 
about  twenty  years  ayo  he  had  himself  secured  LMIO  seals,  but  as  the 
prices  were  then  very  low,  he  obtained  Just  1  doila'"  eiich  for  the  skins. 

~h>*.).  At  ('layo(|Uot  Sound,  the  Indians  st:itcd  that  in  the  times  of 
the  ffraiid-jtarents  of  the  present  j;eneration,  in !■  seals  weie  valued  and 
hunted  eiily  for  food.  Tlu'y  were  tlu^n  idways  killed  wdh  spears. 
Indej)eiulent  huutinj;'  with  cam»es  from  the  shore  has  fallen  into  disuse 
for  the  last  seven  or  ten  yeais  at  Ahouset  \  iliajic  iuid  Clayociuot  i>roper, 
resi)eetively.  The  Indians  I'ntm  this  vicinity  now  hunt  oidy  IVoni 
schooners,  aii<l  many  are  so  employed  every  jiummer.  Lonu'  aji'o  many 
of  then»  were  drowned  when  huntiii;;  indejx'udeidly,  and  this 
9(1  mode  of  lii!ntinf>'  lias  come  to  be  considt^ed  very  danj;('rous.  At 
the  present  tiuu',  bolli  thcfjun  and  sjiear  are  emi»Ioyed  in  takinj;- 
seals,  a<u"oi(lin<i-  to  eircuinstane"sor  the  haliitsof  the  individual  hunter. 

oOO.  At  liarclay  Hound,  the  Indians  of  several  villajics  still  en.i;af;o 
to  a  considerable  extent  in  liuntinj;'  in  their  own  canoes  from  the  shore, 
but  tli(\v  are  also  in  many  cases  employed  on  sealinv;  seluxuiers.  The 
nund)er  of  seals  taken  by  them  in  indeiiendent  huntin;^  varies  between 
wide  limits  from  year  to  yeai-.  In  the  sprinj;-  of  1S<)1,  about  1,."5(») skins 
at  least  were  taken  to  Victoria  from  this  vicinity,  all  obtained  in  this 
way.  The  spear  is  usually  emi»loyed  still  i:i  jireferenee  to  the  j-'U"  l>y 
these  hunters. 

o'il.  The  Makah  Indians  of  the  neijjhbourhood  of  Capi!  I*'lattery  are 
{jreat  seal-huntevs.  They  themselves  n(»w  own  three  small  schooners, 
which  are  registered  at  INtit  Townsend.  Some  of  them  go  every  year 
in  schooners  owned  by  Whites,  but  the  old  method  of  iiidependeiit. 
hunting  from  tlu'.  shore  is  also  still  piiictised.  Two  or  three  men  gen- 
erally go  ii.  each  canoe,  and  occasionally  stay  out  a  night  at  sea,  where 
they  are  freqiiently  as  far  as  thirty  miles  from  land.  Tlu'y  usually  still 
spear  the  seals,  whether  hunting  iiidependeiit  ly  or  Iroiu  schooners, 
though  the  shot  gun  is  employed  by  some  of  the  liuiit«'rs.  The  older 
men  think  that  shooting  is  bad,  but  the  younger  men  have  taken  to  it. 
The  spear  used  has  two  prongs,  with  detachalde  barbed  heads.  It  is 
about  lil'teen  {'v\H  long,  and  is  tlir(»wn  from  tln^  hand,  without  a  tlir<»w- 
iiig  stick,  the  butteiul  being  Hat  ar  I  wid<'ned,  with  grooves  cut  in  it  for 
the  lingers.     The  same  tyjjeof  spear  is  employed  by  all  the  .\ht  iieojtle. 

r)(»2.  The  old  men  say  that  before  they  were  born  (say,  alxuit  si.vty 
yeiirs  ago),  the  fur  seal  was  hunted  for  food  and  elotliing,  and  was 
abundant;  but  on  several  occasions  a  number  of  Indians  lost  tla-ir  lives 
at  sea  while  hunting,  and,  conseciuently,  for  about  twenty  years  the 
hunting  was  practically  given  up.  About  the  time  the  sm  dl-pox  camo 
among  them  (probably  in  ISoL*,  as  ascertained  from  other  s(  ir(;es)  hunt- 
ing began  again,  and  has  been  continued  ever  since.  They  think  that 
it  was  about  twenty-live  years  ago  (§  oSti)  when  tlie,\  'i'st  knew  of 
Whites  going  to  .""»  to  hunt  the  fur-seal.  Nearly  I.OtK)  fur  seal  skins 
are  annn'ally  got  by  the  Makali  Indians,  but  a  coiisideral)h'  prop(ution 
ot  the  whole  number  is  obtiiined  by  them  in  their  scliooneis  along  the 
eoast  to  the  northward  or  in  IJeliring  Sea,  so  that  the  precist^  iiumb«ir 
taken  in  the  vicinity  <»f  their  own  territory  is  ditlicuit  to  ascertain. 
Nearly  the  whole  (tf  the  skins  taken  by  these  Indians  are  sold  iii 
Victoria. 

r>{\:\.  When  the  seals  are  speared,  practically  none  are  lost,  l)ut  when 
shot  some  are  lost  by  sinking,  thougli  a  speur  is  employed  tognlf  them. 
These  Indians  stat<'d  that  in  tnking  fifty  seals,  sometimes  one,  some- 
times two,  might  lu'  lost,  but  oec  asionally  none  would  be  lost. 

B  S,  I'T   VI lU 


I 


V 


146 


REPORT    OF    BRlTIiSH    COMMIS.SIONKRS. 


501.  Furtlier  piirticiilars  of  interest  respecting  the  Indian  fur-setil 
hunters  of  Cape  Flattery  may  be  found  in  .Iiidjie  J.  G.  Swan's  report 
on  that  subject  contained  in  tlie  "Iteport  of  the  Fislieries  and  Fishery 
Industries  of  the  United  States,"  vol.  ii,  p.  o-!K{.  Also  in  tlie  ''iJulletiu 
of  the  Fnited  States  Fish  Commission,"  vol.  iii,  i).  201.  From  the  first 
of  these  publications,  it  api)ears  that  the  indei)endent  catch  of  tlieCai)e 
Fhittery  Indians  amounted  to  1,558  skins  in  188(),  with  an  average 
value  of  9  dollars  per  skin  at  that  time.  In  a  letter  of  recent  date,  the 
same  gentleman  states  that  no  otHcial  record  of  the  number  of  skins 
taken  l)y  these  Indians  has  since  been  kept. 

r»(;5.  \V  Illicit  is  to  be  regretted  that  it  is  imjmssible  to  give  an  accurate 
statistical  record  of  the  number  of  fur  seal  skins  taken  by  the  natives 
of  the  coasts  of  Alaska,  J>ritish  Columbia,  and  Washington,  by  their 
independent  hunting  in  their  own  canoes  irom  the  shores,  the  results 
of  inipiiries  made  at  ,i  number  of  detached  places  along  the  coasts,  ami 
given  in  abstract  I'.bove,  are  at  least  sulllcieut  to  show  that  imi)ortant 
vested  interests  are  there  involved. 

")(»().  It  is  ui  deniable  that  all  the  natives  represented  along  this  great 
line  of  coast  have  been  accustomed  from  the  earliest  times  to  hunt  the 
fur-seal.  So  long  as  the  sea  otter  was  abundant,  little  use  was  made 
of  the  inferit)!'  skin  of  the  fur  seal,  and  that  animal  was  prized  chieHy 
as  an  article  of  food.  At  a  later  date,  when  the  hunting  of  the  sea- 
otter  had  beconui  scarcely  lemunerative  because  of  its  increasing 
scarcity  on  this  i)art  of  the  e(-ast,  the  price  ofl'ered  for  the  skins  of  the 
fur-seal  was  still  insullicient  lO  tempt  tlie  natives  to  engage  systenuitic- 
ally  in  the  somewiiat  hazardous  business  of  Us  cii}>tine;  but  as  the 
skins  became  higher  in  ]>rice,  and  notably  within  iiie  last  t\7entyyears, 
the  hunting  of  tlie  fur  seal  has  possessed  a  greater  imi)oitance  for  the 
natives.  \Vithin  (piite  recent  years,  however,  the  independent  hunting 
of  iiatives  lias  somewhat  decreased  from  two  jyrincipal  causes — the 
employment  of  large  mimbeis  of  the  more  «!Xpert  natives  on  sealing 
vessels,  and  the  growth  of  variousother  industries  capable  of  allordiiig 
remuner:itivi^  employment. 

.5(17.  The  low  ))rices  given  in  former  years  to  the  Indians  of  the 
97  British  Columbian  coast  for  tlu  ii-  skins  were  in  part  due  to  the 
fact  that,  in  accordance  with  native  custom,  the  skins  were 
stretched  and  dried,  and  were  thus  not  so  suitable  for  t  he  trade  as  salted 
skins;  but  of  late  years  the  Indians  have  become  accustomed  to  salt 
nearly  all  the  skins  tliey  take. 

Mf^.  Iicsiieeting  the  dates  between  which  the  Indians  of  various  ti'ibes 
engage  in  seal  iiunting,  and  in  connection  particularly  with  the  notes 
elsewhere  given  on  the  niigrati(tn  of  the  fiir-seal,  it  must  be  observed 
that  these  dates  do  not  necessarily  coincide  with  those  delining  the 
occurrence  of  fur-seals  al(»iig  the  coast.  The  actual  time  of  beginning 
llie  hunt  depends  chielly  iiiion  the  date  at  which  such  tine  weather  as 
is  described  as  "sealing  weather"  sets  in.  The  close  of  sealing  is,  on 
the  other  hand,  liirg<'ly  governed  by  the  arrival  of  the  parti(MiIar  sea- 
son at  which  inimemorial  custom  recjuircs  that  iishing  of  some  other 
kind — generally  halibut  tishing — shall  begin. 

5(>!>.  The  best  estimates  obtained  of  the  number  of  skins  taken  annu 
ally  by  the  Indians  of  the  British  Coliunbia coast  alone,  for  the  last  four 
or  live  years,  show  that  about  1,500  in  all  are  taken  to  the  north  of  the 
northern  end  ol'  N'aiicouver  Island,  and  at  least  a  similar  number  to  the 
south  of  that  point,  or  say,  at  least  .'),0(I0  skins  each  year  for  the  entire 
coast,  hlstimating  these  at  10  dollars  a  skin  (an  average  price  sulh- 
ciently  h>w  to  cover  tlie  relatively  small  value  of  the  skins  of  grey  pups 


REPORT    OF    liRITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


147 


or  ycarliiijjs  wliidi  soiiietiiiK's  I'orin  u  considerable  i)oiti()ii  of  tlie  eafcli), 
tlie  ^icss  value  of  the  eat(!h  amounts  to  30,000  dollars  annually.  Tlii-s 
amount  constitutes  a  very  imitortant  part  of  the  whole  revenue  of  these 
natives,  with  whom  also  the  fur-seal  forms  a  stai»le  article  of  food  at 
certain  seasons. 

o70.  The  less  direct,  but  tinancially  more  important,  interest  of  the 
same  native  peoples  in  tlie  pelaj;ic  sealiiij;'  proper,  in  wliiith  tliey  are 
now  largely  engaged,  is  of  course  not  inchidetl  in  the  above  estimale. 


III.— Pelagic  Sealing. 


tribes 
notes 
(Served 
ng  tlie 
finning 

her  as 
[i  is,  on 

ar  sea- 
e  other 

I  annu 
ist  four 
1  of  tlie 
to  the 
entire 
e  sulM- 
iy  pups 


(A.) — Origin  and  Ihk'dopment. 

571.  The  interest  of  the  natives  of  the  west  coast  of  Ameri(!a  in  the 
capture  of  the  fur-seal  is  an  immemorial  one,  but  in  the  earlier  years  of 
trader  ui>on  the  coast  the  sidn  of  tlie  fur  seal  occupied  a  subordinate 
position  to  that  of  the  sea  otter,  and  in  still  earlier  and  pre  hist(»ric  times 
the  fur-seal  seems  scarcely  to  have  Ix^en  jiursued  except  for  food.  The 
sea-otter  yielded  an  ami)le  sujiply  of  sup<nior  skins  for  clothing,  wiiile 
sea-lions,  hair-seals,  and  other  animals  allbidcd  skins  blotter  suited  to 
the  manufacture  of  skin  boats  by  the  northern  tribes,  atul  for  the  south- 
ern, that  of  other  articles  re([uiring  strength  of  hide  rather  than  thick- 
ness of  fur. 

oTL*.  The  principal  areas  in  which  the  fur  seal  was  more  or  less  hunted 
in  such  early  times,  were  doubtless  those  extending  on  the  west  coast 
from  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Flattery  to  about  the  latitude  of  Sitka,  'i'o 
the  south  of  Cai)e  Flattery  the  natives  were  not  seafaring  in  their  haltits, 
and  the  same  may  be  said  of  most  of  the  native  peoples  of  the  Asiatic 
coast,  along  the  Kurile  Islands  to  Kamtschatka. 

;j7.'{.  So  long  as  the  skins  of  the  sea  otter  iiould  be  obtained  in  abun- 
dance for  Chinese  markets  (where  at  the  time  they  were  most  valued  i, 
the  White  traders  then  beginning  t((  fiefpient  the  (;oast  made  little 
iiKluiry  foi'  th(M;omi)aratively  inferior  skin  of  the  fur-seal,  but  these,  wit  li 
other  skins  of  miniu-  value,  were  purchased  from  time  to  time  by  the, 
traders,  and  have  o<!casionally  been  thought  worthy  of  mention  in  the 
nairatives  of  their  voyag«'S.  The  observations  on  this  [>articMlar  sub- 
ject which  it  is  now  possible  to  glean  from  these  nairatives  are  naturally 
rather  meagre,  but  even  an  imi)erfect  examination  of  some  of  them,  is 
sutUcienttoshow  that  from  tin;  first  the  skins  (»f  the  fur  seal  were  counted 
among  ai'ticles  of  trade  with  the  natives  along  various  parts  of  the  coast 
to  whi(;h  theses  animals  did  not  habitually  resort  for  the  purpose  of 
breeding,  ami  wheie,  conse([uently,  they  must  have  been  taken  by  the 
mitives  at  sea. 

'u\.  It  was  primarily  the  search  for,  and  trade  in,  the  skins  of  the  sea- 
otter  which,  in  the  last  century,  impelled  the  Russian  adventurers  to 
extend  their  o|)erations  from  the  coasts  of  Asia  along  the  Aleutian 
Islands  and  to  the  American  coast.  When  theComnuuider  and  I'riliylolf 
Islands  were  successively  <lis(!overed,  the  skins  of  the  fur  seal  began  to 
be  addetl  in  large  numbers  to  the  lists  of  artiides  of  commerce,  but  even 
from  the  first,  and  before  these  principal  breeding  jtlaces  had  been 
fouml,  I'urseal  skins  also  were  procured  from  the  Aleut  natixcs. 
08  l''rom  incidental  refeieiiccs  made  in  the  summaries  of  early  Rus- 
sian voyages,  such  as  those  given  in  Liaiicroft's  History  of  Alaska, 


"^fS 


148 


REPORT    OF    HinTISII    COMMISSIONKKS. 


Piioiiyli  fiu'ts  to  show  tliis  may  bo  s'i>l^h<'i"^<li  tlioiij?li  a  coiiiplofo  «>xanii- 
iiatioii  of  tlie  original  works  might  doubtless  atlonl  additional  facts  of 
tlio  siinic  kind. 

"(To.  Thus,  in  l7(i(J,  the  "Vladimir"  incdudedin  her i-et urn  cargo 2,000 
fur-seal  skins  whicli  are  Siiid  to  have  been  brought  from  the  Near  Islan<ls 
of  the  Aleutian  chain.  The  nundicr  here  given  is,  however,  so  consid 
erable,  that  it  may  be  regarded  as  not  imi)robably  showing  that  at  this 
early  date  some  place  resorted  to  by  the  fur-seal  for  breeding,  still 
existed  on  Agatu,  Attn,  or  other  neighbouring  islands  of  the  group;  in 
which  ease  all  of  these  skins  may  not  have  been  taken  at  sea.  The 
"  Arkangel  Sv.  Mikhail,''  returning  from  a  voyage  which  had  extended 
from  1772  to  1777,  during  wiiich  Kadiak  was  reached,  but  in  which  no 
mention  is  made  of  any  call  at  the  Commander  Islands  (the  Pribylott" 
Islands  had  not  then  been  discovered),  brought  back  1I.'{  fur  seal  skins. 
In  1700,  again,  Sauer,  of  the  liussian  Scientilic  Expedition,  under  Bil- 
lings, is  recorded  to  have  been  told  at  Shelikotf's  establishment  at 
Kadiak,  that  GOO  dcmble  bidarkas  had  been  sent  out  to  hunt  sea-otters, 
fur-seals,  and  sea  lions.  In  1812,  in  Chugatach  Bay,  Prince  William' 
Sound,  where  seals  had  formerly  been  plentiful,  the  yield  is  stated  to 
have  fallen  ott  to  lifty  skins.* 

r)7(».  Simila.  incidental  allusions  may  be  found  sis  well  in  the  records 
of  other  voyiiges.  Thus,  among  the  skins  sold  in  China  by  Portlock  and 
Dixon,  in  1788,  were  110  fur-seal  skins,  though  these  navigators  did  not 
apju'oach  the  known  breeding  islands  in  any  ])art  of  their  route.t 

In  1701,  again,  Cai)tain  Marchand  obtained  thirty-seven  seal-skins 
from  the  natives  of  Norfolk  Sound,  these  skins  forn.uig  a  considerable 
proportion  of  the  whole  amount  of  furs  got  there.f 

"(77.  There  is  often  some  ditliculty  in  identifying  the  particular  kind 
of  skins  which  ^vere  obtained  by  such  traders  along  the  coast,  because 
of  the  indefinite  and  varied  terms  made  use  of  by  them,  but  it  seems 
probable  that  much  of  that  classed  as  "beaver"  was  in  reality  fur-seal. § 
This  must  certainly  have  been  the  case  in  the  Queen  Charlotte  Islands, 
for  though  Portlock  and  Dixon  state  that  considerable  numbers  of 
"beaver  skins"  were  purchased  there,  the  beaver  is  not,  and  never  has 
been,  a  native  of  these  islands. || 

578.  The  opinioi.  just  referred  to  is  that  of  Mr.  Alexander  Mackenzie, 
who  has  long  been  familiar  with  the  (»Jueen  Charlotte  Islands  in  partic- 
ular, and  wlio  bases  his  statements  upon  the  direct  testimony  of  the 
natives  themselves,  to  the  elleet  that  they  fre(|uently  in  former  times 
trade<l  fur-seal  skins  to  t)ie  vesselsthen  freiiuentingthe  islands  in  search 
of  sea  otter  skins. 

r)70.  Such  facts,  taken  in  conjunction  with  those  already  given  as  the 
result  of  our  own  incpiiries  on  the  West  ('(^ist,  are,  at  least,  sulllcient  to 
show  that  the  natives  were,  from  the  earliest  recorded  dates,  accustomed 
to  hunt  the  fur-seal,  as  well  as  the  more  valuable  sea-otter,  at  sea.  So 
long  as  the  skin  of  the  fur-soiil  possessed  but  an  insigniJicant  commercial 
value,  little  attention  was  paid  by  traders  and  others  upon  the  coast  to 
the  hunting  of  this  animal  by  the  liulians.  The  skins  scarcely  apjieared 
in  the  lists  of  furs  procuretl,  and  very  little  has  been  placed  on  record 
on  the  subject.  A  lew  skins  were  purchased  by  the  Hudson's  l^ay  Com- 
pany fromtime  to  time,  chiefly  those oll'ered by tlieCape  Flattery  Indians. 

*  Mancrort's  History,  vol,  xxxiii,  pp.  l."»r>,  171,  l.'S(i,  tiinl  '>'2ii, 

t"Voyii^(^fo  tlic  Ndrtli-wcHt  CoMMt  of  Aniri'ic'.'i,"  p.  ;U)I), 

\"  \'o,vaji;o  .Aiitoiirdii  Moiido,"  tonic  ii,  |>,  11. 

i} 'I'lio  Iciin  "  Sciiliciivrr"  wiiH  also,  liowovcr,  ,soiuutiiiii>Ha])plied  to  tlio  HCtv-ottcr. 

II "  Voyajif  to  tlio  Novtli-west  Count  of  AiniMica,"  pi».  Ui'.i,  1;0I,  and  IWO. 


REPORT    OF   BRITIHir    COMMISSIONERS. 


1^9 


cenzic, 
partie- 

of  the 
timeH 

searcli 

as  tlie 

■HMlt  to 

istomcd 
en.  t^o 
inercial 
coast  to 
)|»('ai'ed 

record 
iiy  CoiM- 

ndians. 


i-ottcr. 


The  fii-st  really  coininercial  appearance  of  I'lirseal  skins  at  Victoria, 
accordinji'  to  Mr.  J',  l-'inlayson,  was  in 'oi-  ahoiit  iNld,  lictwccn  which 
date  and  IS.'id  considerable  ninnbers  of  skins  from  the  I'riltylotf  or  Com- 
mander Islands,  coUeeted  at  Sitka  by  the  Jlnssian  l"'nr  Company,  weie 
forwarded  from  Victoria  to  Ijondon  by  the  Ihidson's  Hay  Comjitany. 
These  were  shipped  in  casks,  and  were  presnmal)ly  salted  skins,  donljt- 
less  all  taken  on  the  breedin{>'  islands.  In  i)art  overlapping;-  the  peiiod 
jnst  mentioned  is  the  record  of  purchase  of  fur  seal  skins  by  the  same 
Company  from  Indian  hunters,  which  runs  from  1852  to  the  i>resent 
year.     (See  Appendix  (i.) 

080.  When,  howevei',  better  prices  bef,'an  to  be  ])aid  for  these  skins, 
those  ])ersons  interested  in  Indian  trade  alonj>'  the  coast  became  fannliar 
with  tlie  narive  mode  of  huntinj"',  and  rec()<4iii/ed  thedifliculty  and  dan- 
j;er  to  which  the  native  hunters  were  often  exposed  in  conse(|uence  of 
the  distances  to  which  tiie.v  were  oblij^ed  to  venture  from  the  shore  in 
l)ur.suit  of  the  seal.    The  endeavour  was  then  made  to  encourage  the 


Indi 


Indians  in  sealing,  hecause  ot  tlie  profits  oi^tained  Irom  the  sale  of  the 
skins,  and  it  naturally  occurred  both  to  tlie  Indians  and  the  traders 
(some  of  whom  employed  small  vessels  for  the  i)urp()s<3S  of  trathc),  that 

a  combination  mij?ht  be  formed  which  would  be  ailvantaj;eous  to 
99        both  parties.    It  became  evident  that  the  danger  and  har<lship 

inherent  in  the  independent  native  mode  of  hunting  might  be 
much  reduced  by  emidoying  snudl  vessels  to  carry  the  Imlians  and  their 
canoes  to  sea  in  search  of  seals,  thus  to  serve  as  a  base  of  o]>erations 
from  which  the\'  might  more  successfully  practise  this  industry. 

581.  At  this  time,  the  Indians  of  the  coasts  of  South-eastern  Alaska 
and  British  Columbia  knew  nothing  whatevei'  about  the  summer  resorts 
of  the  fur-seal  in  IJehring  Sea,  and  very  little  was  known  by  anyoneas 
to  the  extent  or  course  of  their  migrations.  Thus,  Dall,  in  his  elaborate 
work  on  Alaska,  published  in  1870,  though  conversant  with  all  facts 
then  available,  is  able  merely  to  uuike  the  following  statement  on  this 
subject:  "The  Alaskan  fur-seal  formerly  extended  from  the  ic(^  line  of 
l?ehring  Sea  to  the  coast  of  Jjower  California.  At  i)resent,  a  few  strag- 
,;lers  reach  the  Strait  of  Fuca  .  .  .  ,  but  the  great  majority  are  cou- 
iined  to  the  I'ribylolf  Islands  ....  They  leave  on  the  ai)pi()ach  of 
winter — usually  about  the  end  of  October.  They  are  supposed  to  spend 
the  winter  in  the  open  sea  south  of  the  Aleutian  Islands."'* 

Even  so  late  as  1880.  I'rofessor  Allen,  after  a  very  careful  investiga- 
tion of  the  whole  subject,  was  able  to  write  in  the  following  very  gen- 
eral way  only  with  regaid  to  the  migrations  of  tlie  fur-seal: 

Except  during  the  Hcasnn  of  roprodiictioii,  tliesti  aiiiin.'ils  apix'ar  to  load  a  wandcr- 
iiijr  life,  but  tlie  I'xteut  and  direction  ol'  tlieir  niif{ratiou8  are  not  yet  well  known. 
Steller  Kpoke  of  their  nii{;i'iitions  lieini;  as  rejjnlar  as  those  of  the  various  kinds  ot' 
sea-fowl,  and  thoy  are  reeorded  as  arriving;  with  f;reat  regularity  at  the  I'rihUolf 
Islands,  but  where  they  ])as8  the  season  of  winter  is  still  a  matter  of  eonjectnre.t 

582.  It  Wiis  the  habit  of  the  Indians,  when  sealing  in  their  own 
canoes,  to  bring  back  the  entire  carciasses  of  the  seals  killed,  and  toutil 
ize  the  llesh  and  fat  as  food.  AVlien  schooners  were  lirst  em]>loye(l  as 
an  auxiliary,  the  same  ])riictice  was  very  olten  foUowed.  The  carciisses 
belonged  to  the  individuals  killing  the  seals,  and  were  jjrized  by  them, 
and  wlienever  jiossible  carried  back  to  the  villages  to  which  (he  sealing 
Indians  belonged.  The  vessels  were  seldom  very  long  away  from  jtort. 
The  sealing  voyages  thus  at  tirst  made  were  restricted  in  their  scope, 
and  it  was  only  by  degrees  that  it  came  to  be  disco\ered  that  the  seals 

*  "Alaska  and  its  Resoureos,"  p.  193. 

t"Mouograidi  id'  North  Aiueriean  I'iunipeds,'' p.  335. 


150 


REPORT    OF    imiTTWII    CO^fMTSSIONET^S, 


iiiiiilil  l»«'  prolitnldy  Collowcil  in  tlicir  j;oii('i;il  noitliward  iiiovoinont  nlniijj 
tlu' (MKist,  alter  tlic  ecssiitioii  ol'  I1h>  ron^li  wintry  wcatlicr.  It  was  also 
Ibiiiid  that  some  seals  iiiij^lit  bo  ohtaiiied  in  1  lie  winter  and  early  sprinj;' 
as  lar  south  as  the  coast  of  Calilornia,  and  b  fore  "sealinj-  weather'' 
set  in  on  tlie  coast  of  IJritish  (;ohnnl)ia;  and  as  no  other  i)rotitable 
einidoyinent  otfered  for  the  sealing  sciu)oners,  it  became  customary  for 
them  to  make  a  cruize  to  the  soutliwar(i  before  eni;a<;in<;  in  the  lishery 
to  tlie  north  of  the  Strait  of  Fuca.  At  a  later  date  still,  the  ])elaj;ic 
hunters  ascertained,  as  the  result  of  their  own  experience,  that  the  fur- 
seals  miji'ht  be  followed  with  ailvantaj;e  through  the  easfeiii  i)asses  of 
the  Aleutian  chain,  ami  taken  durinji'  the  montlis  of  July  and  Auj^iist, 
and  occasionally  duriiif;-  the  early  i)art  of  Sei)tember.  or  till  su(!h  time 
as  8t(trmy  weather  rendered  furtlier  hnntiiiji'  onpossible. 

r».s;'».  Thus,  bej^inninj;'  as  a  purely  local  industry,  in  which  the  Indians 
of  the  west  coast  of  N'ancouver  island,  with  those  of  the  vicinity  of 
Cape  I'Mattery  in  the  8tate  of  Washinj;ton,  were  chietly  interested,  the 
sea-sealinjy  naturally  develo])ed  and  extended  with  the  increasinj^' 
knowledj^e  j^ained  of  the  iuvltits  and  haunts  of  tli«»  fur  seal,  till  its  oper- 
ations covered  almost  the  entire  nn'j'ration-ranj;e  of  the  animal,  and  the 
nund»er  of  skins  obtained  became  so  considerable,  tiiat  the  sealin<j 
interests  of  the  Alaska  Connnercial  (V)mi)any  (at  that  time  the  lessees 
of  the  rrii»ylofl'  and  Comnmnder  Islands),  ami  their  heretofore  ]>rotit- 
able  mono])olyof  the  fur-seal  of  the  North  I'acilic,  was  notably allccted. 
iS'ot  until  this  occurred  was  any  serious  ])rotest,  or,  in  fact,  any  com- 
l>laint  whatever  raised  apinist  the  ]>ractice  and  methods  of  jjelauic 
sealiufj-.  On  the  contrary,  in  so  far  as  it  became  a  matter  of  i»ublic 
knowlcdii'e,  ])ela;iic  seaiinji"  was  si)oken  of  as  a  commendable  new  indus- 
try. d<'velo[)in<;' maritime  enterprise,  in  which  both  citizens  of  the  United 
States  and  of  Canada  were  enj;a<>'ed,  and  which  atlbrded  remunerative 
employment  to  them,  as  well  as  to  a  larj;e  number  of  the  Indian  i»oi)U- 
lation  of  both  ('ountries. 

J'l'om  the  commercial  ]»oint  of  amcw,  which  is  necessarily  tlmt  of  the 
lessees  of  the  islands,  it  is  not  only  ami  jx'rhaps  not  so  much  the  fact 
that  at  sea  a  considerable  number  of  seals  are  killed,  but  the  circum- 
stance that  this  industry  interferes  with  theii-  mono[K>ly  or  i)ractical 
nn)noi»olyof  the  nmrket,  which  has  frecpuMitly  been  admitted  to  be:  the 
most  valuable  jjart  of  their  franchise,  and  in  theend(>avour  to  mainlain 
which  they  have  even  i>urcliased  the  {greater  jtai't  of  the  catch  made  at 
sea,  particularly  in  the  year  ISDO, 

oSt.  AN'itli  the  altered  conditions  and  extended  ran^e  assumed 
100  by  ])elajiic  hunting'  in  the  course  of  the  few  followin^i' years,  eeitain 
chanjjes  also  occurred  in  tlu^  manner  in  which  it  was  conducted. 
The  Indian  hunters  became  accustomed  to  po  far  from  their  native 
villa.ncs,  and  to  en};a<>'e  ibr  the  huntin{j  (tf  an  entire  season.  The  si)ear 
employed  from  ])re  historic  times  by  the  people  of  the  Aht  Sto(!k  was 
at  tirst  the  oidy  weajjon  used  in  ]»cla^'i<^  huntiuii'.  The  captains  of 
schooners  enj;ajiinf;'  in  the  business  discouraged  the  employment  of  tire 
arms,  under  the  belief  that  the  result  (d'  their  use  would  be  to  alarm 
the  seals  and  reduce  the  chances  of  a  fjood  catch.  'J'his  belief  was 
doidttless  in  some  measure  Justilled,  but  as  White  hunters  also  bej^an 
to  enj;a.<ie  in  the  business,  it  became  im[)ossible  to  i)re\ent  the  use  of 
such  wca]tons;  the  ritle  was  introduced,  thoui;h  soon  s»i]>erseded  by 
the  shot-jiun,  which  has  now  become  the  usual  hunting  \vea|)on.  Most 
of  the  Indians  readily  adopted  this  new  and  more  ellective  mode  of 
hunting',  and  each  year  the  number  of  these  people  empIoyi'(l.  toiicther 
with  that  of  the  vessels  engaged  in  the  industry,  increased.    The  nuni- 


REPORT   OF    BRTTISir   COMMISSIONERS. 


151 


l)or  of  Wliitcs  onii»1(»v('(l  jis  Imiitors  \iirie<l.  but.  as  a  rnl(>,  roiiii)otont 

I. 


Jiidiiiii  li 


•ticiil 

o  the 

Miiain 

le  at 

sumod 
'itiiin 
K'tod. 
iiitivo 
si)('i»r 
k  was 
ins  of 
of  lire 
alarm 
'f  was 
began 
use  of 
ed  by 
Most 
ode  of 
imetlier 
e  nuiii- 


Indian  hnnters  have  always  l»ecn  pi clei  led  when  they  eoiud  l»e  ohtainei 

r>So,  Tlie  Indians  themselves  benelited  laij;ely  IVoui  a  i)ecnniaiy  point 
of  view,  and,  in  eonseciuence  of  the  eneonragenient  olfeied  by  tlie  imr- 
suit  of  tlie  fur-seal,  befjan  themselves  to  own  and  navigate  sealing- 
schooners.  I'erhaps  in  no  other  way  is  the  intlnence  of  the  sealing 
industry  toward  the  civilization  of  the  Indians  rendered  more  ap])arent 
than  by  the  faets,  that  three  sealing  sehooners  are  now  actually  owned 
by  the  .Makah  Indians  of  Cai)e  Flattery,  while  five  are  similarly  owned 
by  Jndiaiis  of  the  coast  of  Vancouver  Island,  while  in  addition  it  is  esti- 
mated that  the  payment  to  the  Indians  employed  in  the  British  ('olum- 
bian  sealing  lleet  in  ISOO,  calculated  on  the  number  of  skins  obtained, 
was  ])r()bably  between  ;{r),0(IO  dollars  and  ■"><).()()()  dolhirs. 

'>Si>,  llevcM  ting  to  the  (|uestion  of  the  date  of  the  lirst  known  j)ra<'tical 
attempts  at  what  is  now  classed  as  ])elagic  sealing  ])roi)er,  it  appears, 
from  infoimation  kindly  supplied  by  Mr,  .1.  W.  Maekay,  that  this  method 
of  sealing  was  lirst  attenijited  by  ('a]ilain  Hugh  Maekay,  of  the  sloop 
"  Ino,"  in  the  spiing  of  l.S<l({.  Captain  Maekay,  however,  soon  found 
that  this  sloop  was  too  small  to  conveniently  carry  two  or  three  Indian 
canoes,  and  he  actcordingly  built,  for  the  purpose  of  sealing,  the  schooner 
"  Favourite,"  75  tons,  which  was  registered  in  Victoria  on  the  18th  June, 
]8(>8.  Little  is  known  as  to  tliese  first  sealing  voyages,  but,  doubtless, 
as  a  eonsequeiKie  of  their  success  or  good  promise,  other  vessels  were 
litted  out.  Thus,  Judge  J.  G.  Swan,  of  Port  Townsetid,  in  a  letter  on 
this  subject,  quotes  Captain  M(!Almond,  of  New^  Dungeness,  Washing- 
ton, as  follows  o?i  the  matter:  "The  first  schooner  to  take  Indians 
that  1  know  of  was  the  'Lottie,'  in  18()i),  from  Neah  Hay,  believing  tiiat 
we  were  the  ])ioneers.  I  afterwards  understood  that  a  vessel  from  Vic- 
toria was  also  taking  an  Indian  crew."  The  vessel  from  V'ic-toria  here 
mentioned  was  evidently  the  "Surprise,"  of  which  ]Mr.  Charles  Si)ring 
writes:  "The  tirstatteini)t  atsealiiig,  in  a  practical  way,  with  schooners 
and  Indian  hunters,  was  made  in  or  about  18(»!>  by  .las.  Christ  ienson  in 
the  schooner  'Surjn'ise,'  owned  by  the  late  Captain  William  Spring,  of 
Victoria,  British  (.'olumbia."  l'"rom  oth'U'  sources  it  was  ascertained 
that  the  Indian  hunters  em])loycd  on  this  and  other  pioneer  sealing- 
schooners  were  obtained  at  Pachena,  on  the  sontli-west  coast  of  Van- 
con  vei'  Island,  near  the  j'utrance  to  the  Strait  of  l''uca. 

o87.  The  history  of  the  ])rogress  and  continued  expansion  of  the 
pelagic  sealing  industry  maybe  iiere  briefly  set  out.  In  regard  to  that 
carried  on  from  the  Lritish  Columbian  coast,  it  has  been  j»articulaily 
intiiiired  into  and  recorded  by  j\lr.  A.  11.  Milne,  (collector  of  Customs 
at  N'ietoria,  upon  whose  investigations,  checked  and  amplified  in  so  far 
as  has  been  i)ossi1)le,  the  subjoiiu'd  summary  is  based.*  It  lias  already 
been  stated,  liowcner,  in  anotlier  part  of  this  report,  that,  for  the  earlier 
years  of  the  devel()[>ment  of  the  business  of  sealing  at  sea,  the  data  are 
very  incomjdete,  as  in  these  years  it  had  scarcely  Ix'gun  to  receive  any 
l)arficular  attention,  and  records  were  not  systeniatically  kej)t  of  it  by 
the  ('ustoms  authorities,  as  has  been  ie(iuii'<'<l  of  them  in  later  years. 

r)88.  Fnun  1871  to  1878,  it  is  known  tliat  three  schooners  were 
engaged  more  or  less  continuously  in  the  sealing  business  on  the  west 
coast  of  Vancouver  Island,  where,  however,  tluy  were  al.so  employed 
as  traders.  In  1879  to  18S1  four  or  live  sclioonors  v ere  emi)loye»i  in 
sealing  along  the  same  coast.  In  1882,  auxiliary  steam-power  was 
added  to  two  of  the  schooners,  and  eight  vessels  in  all  were  employed 

'Purliaiiientary  I'apor  [C— (iliGS],  AiifjuMt  ISUl. 


iA 


J 


152 


RKPOHT    OK    lUUTISII    C'OMMISSIONEKS. 


in  the  iiidiisliy.  in  ISS,"}  nine,  niid  in  IHSI  <'levon,  scIimoikms  wwv 
onipIoyjMl,  and  iill  iirc  siiid  to  Ikinc  been  laiily  sncccssl'iil.  One  oi' 
tlu'sc  vessels,  the  "Maiy  i-.Hen,''  l)eh>nj;in<;'  to  Victoria,  outlitted  at 
San  Francisco,  and  eventually  ('(»ntinued  her  voyaj^e  into  Helninj'-  Sea, 
Avhich  slie  entered  about  the  ir)tli  June,  and  left  about  the  end 
101  of  Aiifjfust.  Tiiis,  so  tar  as  ascertained,  was  tlie  lirst  of  tla^ 
]>ritish  ('oluMibian  scliooners  to  extend  sealinjf  operations  to  the 
waters  of  I'ehrinfi  Sea.  It  has  not,  however,  l)een  delinitely  ascer- 
tained that  the  ''.Mary  lOllen '' was  tlu^  only  vessel  to  enter  Ji(!hiin<;- 
Sea  in  tliis  year. 

r»S!K  The  result  of  the  ventuie  of  the  "Mary  l-'llen"'  haviii};'  been 
satisfactory,  she,  and  at  least  one  other  ves.sel,  entered  l>ehrin}>'  Sea  in 
ISS.").  Thirteen  Hritish  Columbian  schooners  in  all  are  known  to  have 
been  eiifxafied  in  sealiiij;  in  this  year. 

o'.K).  In  1SS(»,  ei<;hteen  schooners  enfiUf^t'd  in  the  scalinf;'  industry. 
One  of  these  had  l)een  brou{;ht  I'ound  tiic  Horn  from  the  eastern  coast 
of  Canada  for  the  puipose.  Two  weri'  wrecked,  but  the  remaininj; 
sixteen  vessels  entered  llehriii};  Sea;  an«l  in  this  yeai',  for  the  lirst 
time,  ex<'ei>ti(»n  was  taken  to  sealing'  in  this  part  of  the  ocean  by  the 
(Jovernnieut  of  the  Cnited  Stat«'s,  and  three  of  the  sealers,  the  "Caro- 
lena,"  "Onward,"'  and  "Thornton,"  weie  seized. 

55H.  In  1.SS7.  si'venteen  IJritish  Columbian  sdntoneis  were  engaged 
in  sealing;  lifteen  of  these  are  believe(l  to  have  continued  tlu'ir  opera- 
tions into  I'.eliring  Sea,  six  being  seized  there  by  the  United  States 
cutters  "  b'nsh"  and  "  liear.'' 

5!»2.  In  ISSS.  twenty-one  vessels  fiom  liiitish  Columbia  composed  the 
sealing  tleet,  and  though  the  fishery  was  carried  on  in  ilehring  St'a  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  season,  no  seizures  wei«^  made  by  the  United 
Stales.  One  schooner,  however,  the  "  Arannah,'"  was  this  year  seized 
and  contiscated  by  the  Kussiaii  (Jovcrnment,  having  be«'n  detected  in 
sealing  within  the  teiritorial  waters  of  Cctpiicr  Island.* 

iV.Ki.  In  ISS!>,  the  sealing  tleet  consisted  of  twenty-two  vessels,  all  of 
which  are  believed  to  have  entered  Hehring  Sea.  In  this  year  four  of 
these  vessels  were  vseized,  and  one  was  ordeied  out  of  the  sea. 

5\H.  In  1S!U>,  twenty-nine  British  Columbian  vessels  were  engaged  in 
scaling,  twenty  three  of  which  entered  lUdiring  Sea. 

.■><>,■).  In  l.SUl,  the  sealing  tleet  of  Jiritish  C(»lumbia  had  increased  to 
lifty  vessels,  and  most,  if  not  all,  of  these  cleared  with  the  intention  of 
entering  Uehring  Sea.  The  adojjtion  of  the  modus  rircndi  between 
Creat  I'.ritain  and  the  United  States,  however,  had  the  ellect  of  turning 
back  many  of  these  vessels,  while  the  ])atr(dling  of  the  sea  and  warning 
of  otlu'rs,  with  other  circumstances  connected  with  the  operations  in 
this  year,  need  not  be  rejieated  here. 

*  iVJt).  As  already  noted,  the  tirst  extension  of  the  cruizes  of  the  sealing 
schooners  of  British  Columbia  was  that  along  the  coast  to  the  south- 
Mard,and  this  began  to  be  i)i'actised  as  early  as  ISTSor  lS7i).  Sealing 
operations  were  tiist  extended  into  l>ehring  Sea  by  sealers  from  Jiritish 
Columbia  in  ISSl,  though  one  or  more  United  States  schooners  had 
already  at  that  date  been  for  several  years  accustomed  to  freqnent 
Behring  Sea  for  this  purpose,  and  cargoes  obtained  by  them  were  scdd 
in  N'ictoria  in  ISS!  and  1SS.'>.  The  practice  giew  up  of  making  in  the 
winter  and  early  spring  a  voyage  tVom  \'ictoria  to  the  southward,  after 
which  the  vessels  r«'tnrned  to  Nictoria  and  outlitted  there  for  the  north- 
ern voyage.  This  was  found,  howevei',  to  be  inconvenient,  from  the  loss 
of  time  inxolved,  as  well  as  from  the  laet  that  crews  often  had  to  be 

*  J'ailiiiiii(iit;uy  I'aiuT  [<-'.— liOl  1],  ISUO. 


REI'Oirr    OF    BRITISH    C'OMMISSIONKRS. 


153 


oaliiig 
soutli- 
SoaliJifi" 
liiitish 
IS  liad 
ecjuoiit 
lire  sold 
in  tlie 
(1,  al'tt'i" 
'  nortli- 
the  loss 
(I  to  be 


re  oiij;ajit'(l  lor  the  second  trip.  Tlicicroii',  in  1S!)(>,  ananuenicnts  weio 
made  by  llie  sealers  to  rendezvous  willi  a  sleainer  af  some,  northern 
point  in  .lune,  to  liansliip  their  skins  lor  conveyance  to  V'ii^toria,  com- 
j)letin;r  their  out  lit  lor  hnntinj;  in  llelirinj;'  Sea  at  the  same  lime.  In 
!S!(0,  Saixl  Point,  in  the  Shnmif^in  Islands,  was  tiie  |)lac(^  selected  I'or 
the  i»uii»ose,  and  in  1S!M  Alitak  l>ay,  Kadiak  Island,  was  chosen. 

r)!»7.  The  tor«',iioinji-  details  respecting;  tln^  {growth  of  the  pelaj;ic  seal- 
iujX  industry  <»t'  IJritish  ('olumbia  have  been  ol)taine(l  by  special  icsearch 
and  iiHjuiry,  but  it  has  been  found  t(»  be  practically  impossible  to  pro- 
cure, whether  ol'licially  or  otherwise,  comparable  particMilars  of  the 
pcliifiic  sealin;;"  business  conducted  by  United  States  vessels.  It  is 
known  that  v«'ssels  sailinji'  from  the  New  ICn^land  States  have  becMi 
eufjafjod  in  the  <'a|>ture  of  the  fur-seal  since  the  lattisr  part  of  tlu^  last 
century,  their  operations  bcin^'  cariied  on  principally  in  tlie  southein 
hennspln'ic,  ami  the  mode  ol'killin}^  the  seals  beinj;  that  of  a  promiscu- 
ous slauj;liter  whenevei-  these  aninnils  could  be  found  on  shore,  carri«'<l 
out  by  means  of  clubs  or  otherwise.  This  method  of  killiiif;  seals  has, 
however,  no  analo,ny  with  that  of  pela}jfi(!  sealinj^  as  now  understood.  It 
is  further  known,  that  in  more  ie<!ent  years,  and  after  the  (lovernments 
of  Kiissia,  .lapan,  and  the  United  States  had  provided  ref^ulations  tor 
the  prote<'tion  of  th(^  resjiective  breedinjf  islands  under  tlieir  Juiisdic; 
tion,  vessels  were  dispatched  by  uns(!rui»ulous  persons  for  the  purpose 
of  raiding  t!ie  rookeries  ni)on  these  islands.  The  records  ]»reserved  of 
the  raids  themselves,  wlii<di  are  treated  in  detail  el>(nvhere,  show  that 
snidi  illej-al  sealing  has  been  canied  on,  but,  naturally  enough,  it 
lOli  isdillieult  toobtain  lull  particulars  of  its  character  or  imignitude. 
This  again, howiner,  is  <pnt(^  distinct  from  the<pu'stion  of  i)elagic 
sealing  ]>roper,  the  origin  of  which  little  if  at  all  antedates  the  year 
18(5!).  .^ioreover,  while  this  laidiiig  of  tlu;  vaiious  breeding  islands 
appears  to  have  been  jn-aetised  from  year  to  year  in  the  case  of  United 
States  vessels,  it  has  latterly  been  more  and  more  replaced  by  the  legit- 
inmte  pursuit  of  the  fur-seal  at  sea.  There  was  thus  almost  an  organic 
connection  betwi'en  the  two  methods  of  sealing  in  the  case  cf  vessels 
sailing  from  the  I'nited  States,  that  did  not  exist  in  the  erase  of  the  seal- 
ing industry  of  Ilritish  Columbia,  which  grew  u]i  <lirectly  from  tho;  in<le- 
l)endent  Indian  sea-sealing,  and  had  not  previously  existed  in  any  other 
form. 

rv.Ks,  A  certain  nund)er  of  vessels  have  for  many  years  taken  clear- 
ances from  the  Pai.'ilicr  jjorts  of  the  I'nitcMl  States  for  "hunting  and 
(isliing  voyages;"'  but  while  nntst  of  those  whicii  have  been  <'nj;aged 
in  any  Ibrm  of  sealing  have  doubtless  been  included  under  this  general 
designation,  it  comprises  as  well  vessels  which  may  have  been  engaged 
in  various  forms  of  llshing  proper,  and  in  the  hunting  of  the  sea  otter. 
liVen  in  the  last  census  of  the  United  States  (18I»(>)  the  vessels  engaged 
in  sealing  are  not  specially  indicated,  but  are  included  under  the  gen- 
eral designation  of  the  "fur-seal  autl  sea  otter  lleet."*  If  such  clear- 
ances were  ei/nlined  to  a  single  port,  local  incjuiries  might  witliout  great 
dilliculty  result,  in  the  case  at  least  of  the  later  years,  in  eliminating 
vessels  which  were  not  engaged  in  pelagic  sealing,  and  in  atlording  a 
reasonably  exa(tt  statement  of  the  operations  of  those  of  the  latter  class, 
but  the  nund)erof  ports  of  clearance  has  unfortunately  balHed  in(]uiries 
made  in  this  direction. 

o!)!).  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  ])elagi('  sealing  industry  has  con- 
tinued to  grow  in  the  United  states  in  a  ratio  (corresponding  to  that  of 
the  same  industry  in  British  Cobunbia.     In  I.SHI),  the  best  estimate 

*  See  Uuited  States  C'eiisus  lUiHetiii   No.  123. 


'^  A 


154 


REPORT    OF    nniTISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


wliicli  Mr.  l\Iiliii-  «;onl(l  (plot*'  of  tli(^  nninhor  ol'  vcssci,.  oris'jv.ij<'(l  in  it 
l)l;ic<'(l  tliisiit  (liiily-two.*  The  United  Slates (!(>iisiis  liiillctJM  reliilin;»- 
lo  tin;  Siinn'  vcai'  f;iv»'s  I  lie  tin 'sralin};'  and  seadttcM'  hniitln;;  vesst'ln  at 
twenty.  Jt  is  iu'()l)al)l('  that  thou-^li  two  oi'  tlirco  of  these  vessels  wore 
eliiellyenj,'aseid  in  sea  otter  Imntin^j,  even  these  (((-enpied  part  of  thi'ir 
tinn'  in  sealing,  wliile  it  is  Itnown  tliat  most  of  tlie  Ih^et  was  ])rimarily 
en};aj;od  in  sealing.  In  1S!)(),  more  tlian  fbnrteeii  vessels  sailed  from 
United  States  ports  for  sealinj;,  bnt  the  exact  number  has  not  yet  been 
ascertained.     In  ]S!)1,  tlie  number  had  increased  to  about  forty  two. 

(KM).  The  estimat('(l  vahie  of  the  Uritish  Columbian  scaling  fleet  with 
its  e(pii|)nient,  as  it  left  ])ort  in  1S!M,  was  .'{T.'i.OOO  dollars.  That  of  the 
United  States  licet  in  the  sanu'  year  (exceeded  250,()()(>  dollars.  Ac(!ord- 
ing  to  the  United  States  Census  I'.ulletin  already  cited,  the  value  of  the 
vessels  engaged  in  the  fui'  seal  and  sca-ottci-  industry  iu  1S,S!>  was 
l."»2,7r»7  dollars.  Dividing  this  amount  by  the  tonnage,  an  average  ton- 
nage value  for  this  licet  is  ol»tained  of  ItiO  dol.  ."tie.,  while  a  similar 
calculation  based  on  the  ligures  for  the  Uritish  Columbia  lleet  of  18!»1 
gives  a  corresponding  tonnage  value  of  about  114  dollars. 

{B.)— Methods. 

r>01.  In  what  has  already  been  given,  the  methods  of  ])clagie  or  soa- 
.sealinghaxe  been  in<licated  in  a  general  way.  These  nu^thods  are  essen- 
tially of  a  very  simple  character,  but  the  actual  jn-ocedure  followed  in 
killing  the  seals  imiy  now  b(;  briefly  alluded  to.  The  vessels  employed 
range  in  size  from  I'M)  to  40  tons.  Taking  the  sealing  fleet  of  British 
Columbi.r  in  181)1,  the  average  number  of  canoes  or  boats  carried  on 
each  of  the  small  vessels  (which  are  all  or  nearly  all  schooiu'r  rigged) 
is  about  seven.  The  average  size  of  the  vessels  in  1891  Avas  sixty-live 
tons,  and  the  average  numbei'  of  men  (White  and  Iiulian.syem[)loyedon 
each  was  in  the  same  year  about  twenty-two. 

(102.  The  effective  hunting  strength  of  each  vessel  de])ends  on  the 
innisber  of  canoes  or  boats  carried,  for  uo  advantage  is  gained  by  carry- 
ing large  boats,  a  single  hunter  being  sufficient  for  ea(!h.  Various  plans 
are  thei'cfoie  adopted,  to  enable  as  laige  a  number  of  canoes  or  boats 
as  possible  to  be  stowed  on  the  deck  of  the  schooner. 

(iO;?.  It  is  necessary  for  su(!cess,  not  only  that  a  sufticient  nunU)er  of 
seals  should  be  fallen  in  with,  or.  in  other  words,  that  an  hymi  of  sea- 
surface  rather  plentirnlly  sprinkled  with  seals  ?,liouid  be  found,  but  also 
that  the  weather  siiould  be  favourable.  In  stormy  or  thick  weather 
sealing  is  im])ossible,  and  the  most  the  sealing  master  can  attempt  to 
<lo  is  to  stjiy  with  the  seals.  The  circumstances  being  favourable,  the 
boats  or  canoes  are  launched  and  manned,  and  set  out  in  different  direc- 
tions from  the  schooner  in  such  a  Avay  as  to  cover  as  great  an  area  as 
possible.  The  schooner  has  only  to  keej)  to  leeward  of  the  boats,  so 
that  these  may  the  more  easily  rejoin  her  at  the  close  of  the  day. 
103  (i04.  Seals  thus  met  with  upon  the  sea  surface  are  roughly 

classed  by  the  hunters  as  "  sleepers  "  and  "  travellers,"  and  the 
former  are  of  (umrse  the  most  easily  api)roached.  Whether  iu  cauoes 
or  boats,  paddles  are  employed  in  preference  to  oars,  as  they  enable 
a  more  noiseless  ajiproach  to  the  seals.  When  a  seal  is  seen,  the  boat 
or  canoe  is  (juietly  but  swiftly  impelled  toward  it,  till  the  hunter 
believes  that  he  has  arrived  within  sure  range,  when  he  fires.  If  killed, 
as  ha])])ens  in  the  majority  of  cases,  especially  now  that  the  shot-gun 
has  sui»erseded  the  rille,  the  seal  nuiy  either  remain  tloating  upon  the 

•rarliiunentary  I'apt  ■  [C— 6308],  London,  August  18i)0,  p.  302. 


REPORT    OF    HRITIRTI    COMMISSIONRKS 


lAf) 


the 

•iivry- 

)l!ins 

joats 


ot-gun 
lou  the 


Knrfiico  or  Itciiiii  to  sink  slowly.  Jii  riflior  (Msc,  tli<'  l>o;it  or  canoe  is 
at  oiKM'  nr.i;»'(l  t'orwiii'M.  iiihI  if  flic  carcass,  wliicli  i\tn's  iiol  liitlcr  niiicli 
in  spccilic  j^ras  ity  from  the  water,  is  alreads'  partly  subnier^^cd,  it  is  at 
once,  secured  witii  a  ir»-foot  jialT",  and  liauled  on  hoard.  Jf  tlic  seal 
slionld  lia])|)en  to  bo  merely  l)a<lly  wonnded.  it  eillier  slrMf^^les  upon  the 
surface  until  jjalled,  or,  it'  retaining'  sti'en;;th  to  <lo  so,  dives.  If  (piite 
lij^htly  wounded,  as  of  course  liai»i)ens  in  some  cases,  it  may  eventually 
i'Hcai)e;  but  if  severely  woundecl,  it  is  probaitly  killed  at  the  next  rise 
altera  short  suhmersion. 

()();■».  We  are  informed  that  it  has  boon  learned  by  experience  that 
seals  may  easily  be  lost  if  sliot  in  tlie  neck,  as  in  this  case  the  muscular 
contraction  of  the  body  often  forces  most  of  the  air  from  the  lunj^s,  and 
tlu^  carcass  tlien  may  siidv  much  more  rapidly  than  usual. 

(»<)(>,  This  biief  descrii)tion  refers  to  the  killiiij^of  seals  by  shootiii{j, 
which  is  now  tli(^  method  most  <;ommoidy  ]>ractised. 

(i07.  The  sj)ear  is  still  f»ften  em]»loyed  by  the  Indians,  aixl  wlien  used 
it  involves  a  closer  a|»proa(^h  to  tlu^  seal,  before  it  can  elVectively  be 
thi'own.  Jf  eitlier  of  the  two  detachable  barbes  enters  the  body  the 
seal  is  never  lost,  and  if  neither  strikes  it,  it  escapes  unhurt;  in  short, 
if  the  seal  is  si)eared,  it  is  secured. 

()(»8.  The  dead  seals  are  drawn  into  the  boat  or  canoe,  and  broufjht 
back  at  the  close  of  the  hunt  to  the  schooner,  on  board  of  which  tliey 
are  subsequently  skinned,  and  the  skins  laid  down  in  dry  salt  for  cur- 
inji'.  It  is  said  that  in  recent  years  considerable  improvement  has  been 
made  in,  and  exfra  care  fiiven  to,  the  preserving  of  the  skins  on  the 
schoonei'S.  This  will  no  doubt  have  a  favourable  intluenceon  the  prices 
obtained  for  the  "pehif-ic  skins." 

(I(IJ>.  The  pi()secuti(m  of  this  industiy  at  sea  requires  all  the  courage 
and  skill  which  can  be  brouj-iit  to  bear  on  it.  The  canoes  often  find 
themselves  far  from  the  supi)ortin<;-  schoonoi',  and  should  bad  weather 
or  one  of  the  fre(iiient  fojts  of  the  northern  pait  of  the  west  coast  set 
in,  it  may  be  dilVicnlt  or  im]»ossible  for  them  to  regain  her  with  ease. 
Several  instances  are  known  where  Indian  hnnt<'rs  out  oil'  the  west 
coast  of  Vancouver  Island  have  entirely  lost  the  sui)portin{;  schooiuu" 
in  fogs,  and  have  only  regained  the  distant  shoie  alter  sutlering  great 
hardships. 

(ilO.  The  accusation  of  butchery  laid  against  those  who  take  the  seals 
on  shore  cannot  be  biought  against  this  itclagic  UK'thod  of  killing  the 
seal,  which  is  really  hunting  as  distinguished  from  slaughter,  and  in 
which  the  animal  has  what  nu>y  be  described  as  a  fair  sixnting  chance 
for  its  life.  The  little  vessels  em]»loyed  in  such  work  must  b(^  staunch 
and  well  found,  for  they  have  not  only  to  make  long  voyages,  but  nuist 
be  able  to  keep  the  sea  in  any  weather,  and  it  often  hai»pens  that  they 
have  to  lie-to  for  days  together  in  stoiins,  with  all  iiands  crowded  in 
by  no  means  comfortable  or  commodious  (punters  below. 

Oil.  Thus,  whatever  arguments  may  be  advanced  against  some  of 
the  methods  and  consefinences  of  ])elagi('  sealing,  it  is  not  pctssibh^  to 
speak  of  these  in  terms  such  as  those  eini)loyed  by  Lutke,  who  visited 
the  Tribyloff  Islands  as  long  ago  as  1.S27,  and  who  records  his  impres- 
sions as  follows: 

11  y  a  qtielque  chose  de  r6voltant  dans  oo  cnriinjfo  do  s,iii;r-fr(iid  de  qiioliiiii'  iiiilliors 
d'aniiiianx  sans  dcCfiiso.  I,,cs  cliiisscnr.s,  toiU  fiidiircis  (|ii'ils  80iit  a  re  f^<Mir<^  de 
iiiciirtri'H,  avoiiciit  (|M(5  Koiivoiit  lour  iiiiiiii  M  iicinn  a  sc  It'vrr  ]i()iir  Iriippcr  mic  croa- 
tiiiti  iiiiioi'«>iit('  niii,  U'f  pattcs  »mi  I'air  ct  jioiissaiit  dcH  cris  id.'iintit'M,  (|ii('li|iieroi8  tout 
tl  lait  Heinl)laldc8  :i  cciix  d'uii  oiifaul,  uni  |)lciiro,  seinlde  iiuploroi-  iniHorii'ordo.'' 

•  "Voyage  antonr  du  Monde,"  Tome  i,  p.  201. 


^^ 


mmm 


mr; 


KKPOUT    OF    HHITISM    COMMISSlON'F.Rft. 


TilL'.  I'lcr  use  liiis  Im'cm  iiiiidf  of  tlic  ;i|»lM'lliiti(Hi  "  poarliors  "  iisapplictl 
to  |)('l;i;;i('  Kciilfis  in  jm'iu'ial,  and  t<>  tin'  Canadian  scalers  in  |)ai'ti(tular, 
in  the  ((miisc  «>!' discussions  aiisinj"'  in  liii'  lU'iiriiig  Sea  (•ontrovcrsy,  with 
tlic  ohvions  pnipost"  of  prejudicing  pul  die  opinion,  'i'lit'  use  of  tliis  teiiu 
may  lie  Just  i lied  in  tiu'  case  of  raiders  upon  tiie  1  treed inj;  islands,  but  in 
siu'ii  cases  only,  and,  as  lias  already  been  stated,  uo  instance  is  actually 
UiM)\vn  in  whieli  Canadian  sealing;' vessels  have  been  found  ra.'dinjj  the 
I'ribylotl'  islands.  It  more  nearly  describes,  however,  tlu^  o|>eratioiis  of 
tiiesealinji  licet  in  the  southern  hemisphere,  which  for  many  years 
101  iuis  consisted  almost  solely  of  vessels  sailitij,'  from  the  United 
States,  ami  which  as  lately  as  ISSO  innnbered  ten  vessels,  aj-'^re 
}j;atin^  l.'JTT  tons,  and  manned  by  liTli  mumi.*  The  <le(!reased  importance 
of  this  licet  in  still  later  yeais  has  resulted  oidy  from  the  reduction  in 
number  of  seals  brought  ab(M»t  by  its  ojK'rations.  Sealinj;  by  these 
adventurers  |nis  been  conducted  entirely  oil  land, on  islands  or  coasts 
either  nonunfllly  <»r  actimlly  in  the  ])ossession  of  various  i'owers,  but  in 
no  instan<!c  contiollcd  by  the  United  States,  and  in  some  cases  in  direct 
infraction  of  all  local  laws.  The  killinii  of  the  seals  has  always  and 
everywheri'  been  carried  (,ut  in  the  indiscriniimite,  ruthless,  and  waste- 
iul  nmnner  described  in  detail  in  several  ol  the  works  elsewhere  cited  in 
this  lleport,  and  in  most  cases  aj;reater  part  of  the  catch  has  consisted 
of  fouuiles.t 

(C.) — l'roporti<ni  of  Seals  lost. 

OlM.  As  to  tlie  ])roportion  by  nund»er  of  seals  which  are  lost  after 
beinji'  killed  or  mortally  Avounded,  t(»  those  actually  taken,  a  {;reat  vari- 
ety of  very  wild  statenuMits  hav<'  been  made,  and  it  nwist  be  admitted 
that  in  so  far  as  concerns  mere  assertion  ami  reiteration  of  such  asser- 
tion by  means  of  the  press  aiul  in  every  other  conceivable  manner,  the 
critii's  of  pelagic  sealing  liave  established  an  unehallenjjed  supremacy 
ov<'r  its  defenders.  Jf  ])opular  opinion  could  be  educated  into  the  belief 
that  the  oiterations  of  the  ])elaj;'ic  sealer  are  wholly  barbarous  and  scan- 
dalously destructive,  by  the  means  of  unsupportetl  assertion,  this  should 
have  been  fully  aecomi)lished  by  this  time.  It  is  necessary,  however, 
in  order  to  arrive  at  as  nearly  as  i>ossible  a  true  result,  to  wciyh  and 
criticize  the  evidence  olVered,  and  to  take  into  account  the  sources  from 
which  it  comes.  It  is  turther  most  important  to  remark  that  actual 
numerical  statements  aie  far  more  trustworthy  and  more  susceptible  of 
critical  analysis  than  ji'ciuMal  assertions,  which,  however,  have  hereto 
fore  been  those  nu)st  commonly  employed  as  the  basis  of  arfjument  in 
this  (piestion. 

(U-t.  Disrejiardinj;'  mere  rhetorical  statements  made  by  irresponsible 
imlividiials,  or  j^iven  forth  without  si<;naturein  the  ju'css.  the  following 
citations  may  be  made  as  representing  the  )»iiblished  evidence  adduced 
in  ollicial  rejuuts  in  regard  to  the  loss  of  seals  by  the  sea-sealers.  It  ^^' 
wholly  upon  the  evidence  here  cited  or  referred  to  that  all  the  state- 
ments as  to  great  losses  of  seals  in  pelagic  sealing  have,  up  to  this  time, 
been  founded. 

Captain  C.  A.  Abbey,  from  June  1880  to  the  latter  part  of  August  in 
the  same  year  in  command  of  the  United  States  Ivevenue  Cutter '•  Rich- 
ard Ivush,"'  in  Behring  Sea,  says  of  the  pelagic^  sealers :  "I  should  Judge 
they  killed  about  three  tor  everj'^  one  they  g<>t."| 

*  "  Flslioi'v  bulii8tii<!8  of  the  United  .States,'"  vol.  ii,  p.  439. 
tllii.l.,  i).'.i:il. 

t "  I'lu'-senl  !''islieiiea  tif  Alaska,''  House  of  IJoiirt'sciilativcs,  DOtb  (.  ongress,  L'uil 
Session.  Report  No.  'MK),  j).  LMU. 


RKPORT    OF    HKITISII    ("OMMISSIi  )Ni;i{S. 


157 


)nsible 
<)\vinR 
Idiiced 
It-' 
stiite- 
s  time, 

trust  in 
Uich- 
1  jiulK« 


ll'SS, 


Juil 


Captiiin  Slit'pliaid,  in  <'omiii;iiMl  of  tin'  sann"  vessel  in  ISS7  and  isss, 
says,  on  tlici  same  snlijcct:  ••  1  have  no  vciy  accnrato  inroiniation  on 
wliich  to  base  an  (►[>inion,  but  I  slionid  Judjic  tinit  tliey  lost  lioiu  l<>  to 
<)(>  lUT  «M'nt.  of  tlu'in,  I  saw  a  uood  many  sliot  fr(nn  thr  boats  as  I  was 
approac-liinjr,  and  I  tliinlv  tlicy  lost  two  or  tliree  out  of  livo  or  six  tliut 
I  saw  tln-m  shoot  at."* 

Mr.  \V.  H.  Taylor,  AjiCMii  of  tiio  I'mfcd  States  Tioasniy  DcpartnM'nt 
on  the  I'libylolV  Islainls  in  1S81,  says,  in  answer  to  a  ([uestion  as  to  tiie 
proportion  of  seals  reeovered  by  peliij;ic  sealers,  "  that  he  does  not 
i)elieve  that  more  than  onelbnrth  of  the  seals  shot  at  a:e  j;ot,  tiie  rest 
sinkiiif;."t  This  was  before  the  year  bSSl,  wlx-.i  but  few  v»'s,<elshad  as 
yet  enj;ap;ed  in  the  industry,  and  one  only  is  aelinilly  known  to  have 
been  in  Hehrinj;'  Sea  in  this  year. 

Dr.  ir.  II.  Melntyre,  Supeiintendent  of  the  I'ribylotf  Islands  for  fho 
lessi'es  f()r  a  number  of  seasons,  says:  "  I  think  not  more  than  one  tilth 
ui  those  shot  are  recovered.     Many  are  batlly  wounded,  ami  escape. ''f 

Mr.  (t.  K.  Tinjjle,  at  tiie  time  (iovernment  A<;ent  in  eharye  of  the 
i'ribylolf  Islands,  f>ave  the  followin*'-  testimony:  "The  lo^-s  of  maraud- 
ing schooners  have  fallen  into  my  hands,  and  tliey  have  eonvint'cd  mo 
thai  Ihey  do  not  secure  more  than  one  seal  out  of  every  ten  tlnit  they 
mortally  wound  and  kill."  He  then  ])roceeds  to  make  someealculations 
o!i  the  basis  of  this  statemen*'.  At  a  later  stajje,  ami  when  more  closely 
pressed  tor  details,  he  e.\plaine<l  the  allusi<in  above  made  more  clearly 
as  foll(»ws:  "1  renuMhber  readiii}>' the  loj;' book  of  the 'Anj^el  Dolly,' 
which  I  cai>tured.  There  was  an  entry  in  that  lo^'  Ixiok  which 
road  as  tbllows:  '  Issued  to  day  to  my  boats  ^{(M)  rounds  of  ammu- 
nition, all  expended,  and  one  sealskin;'  ....  ain)ther 
;  '  Seven  seals  shot  from  the  deck,  but  oidy  secured  one.'"§ 
rinjile  fiives  some  further  citations  of  a  sindlar  kind  from  the 
ln'<-,  .siiich  may,  however,  be  found  at  length  in  the '' Fuv  seal 
Fishei:es  of  Alaska."'  In  it  tiur  captain  refers  to  the  eliara(!ter  and 
want  of  skill  of  his  crew  in  language  rather  too  foniible  for  citation  in 
this  ri>p(irt.|| 

Ml',  ('.  A.  Williams,  a  member  of  the  Alaska  Conunereial  Company, 
in  another  part  the  report  of  the  investigation  on  the  l'"ur-seal  Fish- 
<M'ies,  from  which  the  above  ([notations  are  made,  refers  again  to  the 
same  log-book  as  the  "best  testimony  we  havt^"  on  the  subject  of  the 
proiiortion  of  seals  lost  by  hunters  at  sea,  and  ad<ls  that  the  captain, 
in  the  log,  estinuites  that  iie  got  but  one  seal  in  seven  shot  at.1[ 

Mr.  11. 1).  Wolfe,  who  described  himself  as  "in  the  newspaper  busi- 
ness," and  stated  he  had  sonu' familiaiity  with  certain  parts  of  Alaska, 
tlnmgh  claiming  no  ex))erienee  in  sealing,  gives  testimony  to  the  fol- 
lowing ellect:  "1  think  tlie  hunting  of  seals  in  the  oi)en  water  is  very 
injudicious,  because  the  hunters  will  shoot,  and  out  of  every  KtO  seals 

they  shoot  you  will  not  get  more  than  tidily If  you  don't 

hit  a  fur-seal  or  a  hair-seal  riglit  in  the  head,  y(»u  are  not  going  to  catch 
him;  he  will  sink.  ** 

'Il)i(l.,  p.  L'30. 

t  11)1(1.,  p.  lis. 

tlliid.,  pp.  1(51  aiul  170. 

5  "Ftir-soal  rislicrics  of  Alasl<n,"  TTotiso  of  ReprospntativfR,  ,')fltli  ('()ii<ir(\ss,  2ii<l 
ScRsion,  Report  No.  ;!Ss;},  ])p.  Kit  and  170. 

II  Sf-e  "  Fiiithor  Corri'spondt'iiri'  ffjatiiif;  to  Fiir-sc'l  Fislierii's  in  Hcliiinjj'H  Sea,'' 
Wiishington,  18!)0,  i)p.  :{7,  38,  and  SM. 

11  "Fur-seal  FishcrieH  of  Alaska,"  i)p.  IdS  and  lOit. 

"*  "Keport  of  United  States  Senate  (Jonnnitteo  on  Uelationu  with  Canada,  1890," 
p.  140. 


entry 

Mr. 

sail  "i 


sBSbSK 


l> 


158 


KEl'DUr    OF    HKITiSlI    COMMISSK  )NEKS. 


(11.").  Notliiiiii  nunc  priM'isc  Miiiii  (he  slatniu'iifs  just  (nio(«'W,  every  «nio 
<»r  tlii'iii  made  b.v  llu»so  prcsiiiiialtly  iiitorostetl  in,  or  ciiijap'*!  in,  pro- 
tcctinju:  the  hrccdini;  islands,  l»nt  witiutut  personal  cxpcricnct' in  I iiis 
matter,  lias  been  loiiiid  as  aiitlioriiy  I'ov  (lie  tlieory  wliieli  has  been  so 
iliii^ieiitly  propa;^ated,  that  excessive  wasti'ot'  seal  life  lesulLs  IVoiii  the 
l>raeti('(^  of  pelav,ie  sealiiij;'. 

(il(i.  The  toilowinji'  stateiiieiits,  called  forth  by  the  pii'  licity  {jiven  to 
the  al»ove  iiKMitioiied  tlM'ory,  tlioiijih  lor  tlu^  most  pai't  made  by  persons 
(iirectly  interested  in  peiaiiic  sealiii;^',  ar«'  j^iven  .ver  their  sij;natnres, 
and  as  the  result  (»t"  e\p«'rience,  extendinj;  in  some  cjises  oNcr  many 
y»'ars,  innst  be  consideri'd  as  oi"  a  much  lii};luu'  order  of  acmracy  than 
those  above  cited : 

Captain  .1.  i).  Warren,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  pela};ic  sealiii};,  ami  lor 
over  twenty  years  personally  eiij^aj^ed  in  the  business,  says:  "Indians 
rar»'ly  lose  a  seal  they  strike,  and  if  one  escapes,  it  is  always  but  sli;;iitly 

wounded My   exi)erience   with    W'liito   Imnteis   is    not    so 

extensive  as  with  Indians,  but  from  what  I  liav«' seen  while  en}j;aj;t'd  in 
sealing',  i  can  say  that  not  over  (>  in  l()()  seals  killed  by  White  hnntiMs 

are   lost,  or   escape I'lxpericiu'ed    hunters   seldom    lose   a 

seal."* 

OIT.  Mr.  W.  l-'ewinfis,  with  three  years'  I'xpi'iience  of  seal  hunt  in;"' 
on  the  Pacilic  coast  and  ISehrinji'  Sea,  says:  "The  averaj^e  number 
Ktst  does  not  exceed  (•  in  HK*,  ami  by  Indians  not  (J  in  l,0(l(>.''* 

(ilS.  Captain  II.  I'\  Sieward,  who  has  been  two  years  master  of  a^ 
sealer,  employiiii;'  in  one  year  Indian  hunt«'rs  and  in  another  White 
hunters,  says:  "The  Indi.ins  lose  very  few  seals,  for  if  the  s|u'ar  strikes 
the  seal   is  jjot,  and   if  the  s])car   misses,  the  seal   of  course  escapes 

unhurt The  seals  lost  by  White  hunters,  alter  bein;;' sliot 

or  wounded,  do  not,  on  the  lower  coast,  exceed  (!  in  100,  and  on  the 
Alaskan  C(»ast  ;m<l  in  Uehrin.uSea.  not  oviu- 1  in  100.  On  sailing;  I  }^<mi- 
(■rally  take  10  per  cent,  additional  ammunition  for  waste  shot. — that  is, 
if  calcnlatin*;  on  a  catch  of  .'>,000  seals,  I  would  tak(^  ammuiiition  for 
[\,'M){)  shots.  That  was  doubh'  the  excess  the  hunters  would  consiuer 
necessary,  and  1  never  knew  the  percentage  of  waste  shot  to  ln>  used."t 

(!!!•.  Captain  William  O'l.i^ary,  with  four  years"  ex  peiience  (»f  sealin<;', 
in  which  he  seah>d  into  r>ehriiij;\s  Sea  oiK^  yt'ar  with  an  Indian  crew, 
and  three  with  NVhitecrews,  says:  "  My  experience  with  Indian  liuiit«'is 
is  that  they  lose  none — at  most,  a  tVnv— of  the  seals  they  sjuNir.  .  .  . 
The  number  of  s«'als  lost  by  White  huntc's  (U»es  not  exceed  (J  in  100, 
and  many  hunters  lost'  much  less  thai"  '.i...i  number."! 

.Mr.  W.  Miinsie,  an  owner  (tf  sealing' selio<mers,  in  !SS(»,  and  there- 
fore lonji'  befoic  the  quest i(tn  of  losses  by  pelaj^ie  sealers  had  achieved 
the  notoriety  which  it  subsequently  has,  writes  thus  to  the  Iloiiourablt^ 
(1.  i;,  I'ostcr.  Ministcidf  Marine  and  I''isheries:  "Allow  me  twc.i:itra- 
(lict  a  statenu'Ut  made  by  Special  Aj^iviit  Tingle,  of  the  United  Stales 
Treasury  Department,  in  which  he  says  that  three  fourths  of  the  seals 
shot  in  till'  water  sink  and  are  1.  st.  I'rom  the  experience  of  our 
10(!  old  hunters,  1  maintain  but  a  small  ])ercenla,ut'  is  lost  in  this 
way,  probably  n(>t  over  1  in  oO.  1  doubt  if  the  loss  is  as  {•reat 
as  tliat  caused  by  the  reji'ctiou  of  skins  after  bciii};'  cluiibed  by  the 
Alaska  Coinmercial  Company  on  the  islands,  to  whieli  reference  is  made 
iu  the  tables  of  lllliotfs  report. "i 

*  l'aiiiaiiniii:iry  I'Mpt'i'  [t'.-  lll.'ll  |,  LiPiidtin,  Aiij;iist,  ISIM),  j).  'Xib, 
t  lliiil.,  J).  X>{>. 


\Wu 


1.  ;!;i 


Jl'ailiiiiiKiiiary  l';qi<r  [l'.— lUI'lJ,  l.oiitluii     \iigii>t  iS'.iO,,  i.  \iQ, 


Ki'.i'oi;!'  oi-  niarisii  ('(>.M^^lssl()^'^:us. 


159 


llicr*'- 

liovcd 

lll■ill•it^ 

iitiii- 

>t;itfs 

St'illS 

1)1'  (Mir 
1)  this 

Iniiulo 


I 


f>L'(>.  Mr.  A.  it.  Miliir,  Collector  of  Customs  ill,  Viclori;i,  wlio  li:is  li;i(l 
occiisioii  to  iiiiikc,  io!'  (»ili(i;il  |tiir|Mis('S,  ;i  sjK cial  study  of  tlu'!  pchijiic, 
scaliii;;'  iiidiisdy,  ;ui(l  to  t;ike  iiiiicli  sworn  cyidciKMi  IVoim  limitcrs  jiikI 
otlK'is  ciijiiiincd  ill  sciiliii^,  in  siiimiiiii}^  up  his  roiicliisions  on  the,  point 
here,  in  (pu'slion,  \v|•it(^s:  "•Many  cndiicoiis  opinions  li;t\r  hccii  }riv»>u 
in  tiic  Aiiinican  jticss,  and  by  tiic  paid  olVnials  of  the  Alaska  l''iir  (Joiii- 
paiiy,  as  to  the  loss  of  seals  by  wanton  slaii.uhler  (as  tiny  term  it)  l>y 
<Mii' sealers.  I  have  made  due  and  dili<;cnt  ini|iiiiy  as  to  the  pere,'nla;;(5 
of  seals  liable  to  be  lost  after  biMii^'  shot,  and  from  what,  I  liave  gath- 
ered it  aiiionnts,  at  most,  to  only  «>  per  cent."* 

(IL'I.  I'lirfiier  eviiU'iiee  on  this  subjeitt,  derived  from  sworn  statements 
obtained  by  Mr.  Milne,  with  special  ret'er(Mic<'  to  the;  last  two  or  tlire«5 
years,  is  printed  in  Appendix  (II).  The  followin;;  is  an  abstract  of  llio 
{general  statements  made: 

('..I.  Kelly,  with  two  years' experience  of  sejiliti};',  stated  his  belief 
that  the  aveiiij^c  number  lost  is  less  than  .'>  per  cent. 

Captain  VV.  I'etit,  says  that  Whites  do  not  lose;  more  than  5  i>er  cent., 
Indians  1  per  cent. 

Captain  W.  V..  I'.aker,  states  that  tlie  proportion  of  seals  lost  was  not 
imuc  t  hail  .''>  per  cent. 

C  N.  ( 'ox,  slates  lliiil  the  Indians  lose  1  per  <;ent.,  the  White  liiint<'rs 
i  or  r»  per  cent. 

Captain  'l\  M.  Maj^neseii  beiiev(!S  .">A  pirr  cent,  would  be  a  fair  a\<!iaj;t5 
li,nnre  for  seals  lost. 

II.  ('rocker  slates  the  loss  ut  ;<  to  \  per  cent. 

(ieorj^e.  Ifoberls,  with  Ibnr  years' (ixpeiience,  ,i;ives  .'{  to  5  per  ceiil.  as 
represent inji' the  proportion  lost. 

|{.  'riiompson,  with  two  years'  <'xiiericiiee,  also  places  the  loss  at  .'5  to 
r»  per  cent. 

A.  liainj;",  with  ten  years' i-xpericnce  with  Indian  hunters,  slates  that 
tln'y  do  not  lose  i  lore  than  1  in  U). 

Captain  W.Cox,  with  four  years'experiiMiee,  with  I  ndiaii  crrews,  stat(vs 
that  there  is  no  loss  of  seals  when  Indians  employ  the  spear. 

(IliL'.  I"'n»in  inlormalion  (ditained  by  ourstdves  on  the  West  Coast,  tiio 
followiii}>'  brief  iioles  may  \n'  jiiveii: 

Martin  laindber^',  with  three  other  practical  sealers,  possessing;'  no 
vested  interest  in  sealing;,  and  at  tin"  time  emphtyed  as  ■^j-amen,  and 
no  loiijucr  connected  with  Ihe.  seiUin<;'  business,  <'oii<Mirre(i  in  .statinj;,  as 
to  the  prop(Ution  of  seals  lost,  that  if  ;i  man  should  lose  two  out  of 
thirty  killed  he  would  be  eonsideretl  a  poor  hunter. 

(>L'.'!.  .ludj^e  J.(i.  8wan,of  Port  Townsend,  Washinji'ton,  whos«>  famil- 
iarity with  the  Mealinjjf  industry  of  the  NVest  (!<)ast,  and  particularly 
with  the  Indian  interest  in  sealin;;',  is  well  known,  went  so  far  as  to 
charactei  i/,»' many  of  the  stat<'nients  made  as  to  ;;rcat  n  nbeisof  seals 
beinj-'  lost  as  "  scandalous  falsehoods."  The  same  gentleman,  in  a  (tom- 
iiiiinication  subsequently  received  on  this  point,  writes  as  follows: 

I  iiavo  seen  sovcial  Miiksili  liKliiiiiH  who  liiivc  hiuii  licii>.  anil  tlmy  Ifll  mo  tluit 
Imiiims  lose  vt'ry  I'tiw  seals,  wlictlii'i'  tlioy  M|Mar  or  nIiooI  t  lioiii,  a»  t  lii'v  aid  iilwavH  ho 
iioar  tlio  Kcal  at  siicli  linns  lliat  tlicy  (!an  iccinur  (licni  lict'oio  tlniy  Hiiik.  ('aptairi 
l/a.\  rndrr,  Coi  incrl  v  ol'  tin-  schoonoi-  "  OMcai  and  Mat  t  ic,"  who  is  a  \  nry  liiu'  Hhot.  I  old 
inc  that  111'  HiM'iiii'il  nini'ty  live  seals  out  ol  e.vrry  liuiniiuil  thai,  in3  shot,  lie  nail  I  lii, it 
poor  liinilerN,  of  wlilrli  ho  hail  so  v  era!  on  lii.s  vesMel,  won  hi  lire  a  was  a  ileal  of  anuiin- 
nition  anil  not  hit  an.vt  hin;;',  hnt  wonlil  he  sure  to  i'(']>oi't  on  their  rel  urn  to  the  vensel 
that  tliey  hail  kilieil  a  seal  eaeh  tiiin^  they  lireil,  lint  that  all  the  seals  sank  exiept 
the  lew  they  Itioujiht  on  lioaril.  ('aptain  I.avcniler  was  of  opinion  that  not  ovrr  7 
per  eent.  of  seals  Killeil   were  lost. 


^i 


•Ibiii.,  p.  ;;iio. 


Mi 


1 1 


'II 
III 
If 

r 
i 


160 


KKPOKT    OF    MRiriSH    COiMMISSIONKRS. 


(121.  Oil  ii  coiisultiition  with  tlio  inenibers  of  the  Sealers' Association 
of  Victoria,  eomprisinj^-  owners  of  sealinj;f-vessels  and  sealiiifi  captains, 
they  called  special  attention  and  invited  inquiry  into  tlx'  matter  of  the 
number  lust.  They  explained  that  when  the  seals  sink  after  beinjf 
killed,  as  they  often  do,  they  sink  slowly  "on  a  slant,"  so  that  it  is 
usually  t|ui(e  easy  to  f;aft'  them.  They  furthiu-  alllrnied  that  the  result 
of  the  sealinji"  in  lSi>l  was,  like  that  in  former  years,  to  show  that  the 
loss  from  this  cause  av(  raffed  below  (J  per  cent. 

(I2.">,  Theea]»tain  of  the  "  KU/.n  lOdwards,"  interviewed  at  Vancouver, 
stated,  as  the  result  of  his  exi)erience,  that  sealinjif  must  be  learnt  like 
any  other  busiiu'ss.  Tiuit  ''  ^recn  hands"  mijiht  lose  as  much  as  2~>  per 
cent,  of  the  seals  shot,  but  that  with  experienced  hunters  the  loss  is 

veiy  small.    It  mijiht  possibly  amount  to  o  [)er  cent. 
107  (llMt.  The  infonnatioti    on    this  jjoint,  gathered    from    native 

sources,  has  already  been  referred  to  in  (ionnection  with  the 
description  of  the  native  modes  of  hunting,  but  nn»y  here  be  recapitu- 
lated. 

Aleut  hunters,  questioned  at  Unalaska,  say  that  they  never  lose  a 
seal  if  killed,  whether  sliot  or  speared.  Indians  of  Sitka,  when  hunt- 
ing fur  seals,  state  that  they  lose  sometinu's  one,  sometimes  two.  out  of 
ten  shot,  llaida  Indians,  of  (^ueen  Charlotte  Islands,  state  that  they 
very  seldom  lose  seals  shot  at. 

Mr.  A.  JMackenzie,  long  familiar  with  tin  Ilaida  Indians,  says  that  a 
very  small  proportion  of  the  seals  tired  at  i ;y  them  iue  lost — "very  sel- 
dom," "very  few  indeed."  "Some  canoes  (io  not  lose  a  single  seal  the 
".vhole  season." 

i\Ir.  !l.  II.  Hall,  of  the  Ilndsi.n's  Bay  (Company,  and  equally  familiar 
with  I  he  Ilaida  and  other  Indians  ^>f  ilie  coast,  said  that  "an  Indian 
killing  or  severely  wounding  a  seal  is  pretty  safe  to  get  it." 

iMr.  II.  Cunningham,  of  I*ort  ICssington,  believes  that  theTshimsians 
may  lose  as  many  as  one  in  live  seals  shot.  The  Makah  Indians,  of 
('ai)e  I'^lattery,  informed  us  that  when  they  speared  the  seals  they  prac- 
tically lost  none,  but  that  when  shot,  a  few  were  lost.  In  taking  fifty 
seals  they  might  lose  one  or  two,  but  sometimes  would  lose  none. 

(IL'T.  The  statements  given  above  are  of  course  all  of  a  gencial  charac- 
ter, and  open  to  the  objections  which  may  be  urged  against  such  state- 
nu'nts.  Those  referring  to  the  native  loss  in  hunting,  whether  derived 
from  the  natives  themselves  or  quoted  from  Messrs.  Mackenzie,  Hall, 
and  Ci'.nningham,  are  entirely  removed  from  any  suspicion  t)f  self- 
interest.  It  has  been  endeav(»ured,  however,  still  further  to  elucidate 
the  (|uestion  here  considered  by  tabulating  all  the  well  authenticated 
statements  referring  to  the  actual  numbers  of  fur-seals  shot,  and  the 
proportion  lost.  These,  it  will  be  observed,  lecord  the  actual  numerical 
loss  of  seals  shot  and  not  secured,  by  over  twenty  diiferent  hunters  in 
various  yeais,  the  whole  number  of  seals  thus  accounted  for  numbeiing 
lu^irly  1(),0(M».  Some  of  these  statements  have  already  been  jtublisluMl, 
while  others  are  those  obtained  in  the  course  of  our  own  inipiirit'S.  The 
tallies  given  below  show  the  results  of  this  method  of  treatment,  and  are 
believed  to  atluid  evidence  of  a  very  high  class,  directly  referring  to  the 
([uestion  under  discussion. 


K 


ki 
th 
to 
Tl 
th 
fn 
nu 
cai 


UEPORT    OF    HKITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 
While  Ilnntrra, 


161 


Name. 


nical 

i\s  iu 
M'iiifjj 

Tlie 
111  arc 
the 


1.  J.  Wilson.. 

2.  "  Hunter  "  . 

3.  W.l''owing. 


4. 

5.  " 

fi.  Osoar  So.'irr. .. 

7.  Walter  House. 


8.  W.  O'L'r"— 

i).  Kri'(l.(i  li     -t 

10.  "  ••      .... 

11.  "  '•      .... 

12.  GeorjjoTldWO 

i:i.     "         •■     .... 

14.       "  "       .... 


Vessel. 


"Triuiiipb" 

"  Favdurilo" ... 


"Viva" 

"Tiiiiiii)pli '' 

"Vivn"  

"Walter    L. 
Kicli." 


SUins 
obtained. 


"rntlifinder' 


■|  . 


Theresa  "..... 
PllllllillcbT"  .. 
I'(>ii('lip|ie  "  . ... 


Ifi.  TlioniiiM  lliiwo.... 


17.  "         "      

18.  "         "      

]».  "         "      

20.  Albert  IJertraiu . . . 


"Viva 

"Tlicies.a"  and 
"  I'allillndir." 

"  I'eiieloiH) " 

"I.ii.vL.'' 

"Viva" 

"  A  n  u  i  o     (J  . 
j      Moore." 

21.  Captain  .I;icoby... 

2'.' "Allie  Al;;er".. 

'£i.  JIartin  Lundberg.l 

24.  Captain  Spring "  Favourite  "  . . . 

2.').  Captain  Mel. (^an  . .  " 

2fi.  CI.  Kelli  V 

27.  Captain  W'.liaUer 

28.  'Hunter' 

A liel  Douglas I  "  Jlav  liello  ". . . 


23 

(over)  (10 
(al)out)4i:0 


(over)  500 
140 

(over)  6(10 
185 


44 

518 
244 
454 
15!) 
442 
618 
734 
:iU7 

510 
:tl6 

587 
320 

117 

(!i:i 

33 

(ab(Ult)180 

'.iO 

7U 

5.-1 

4S8 

216 

2U5 


.Seals  Lost. 

Loss 
I'er 

eent. 

1 

1 

25 

4.3 
1.0 
0.2 

(about)  30 
1 

(about)  20 
5 

6.0 
0.7 
3.5 
2.8 

1 
14 

5 

10 

(about)   7 

(about)  2il 

31 

37 

(abi)nl)20 

2.3 

2.7  1 

2.0 

3.5 

4.4 

4.5 

!i.O 

5.0 

5.4 

(about)  30 
IJ 
27 
21 

6.0 
3.7 
4.4 
6.8 

2 

21 

I 

1.7 
3.4 
3.0 

1 
(about)    5 

t> 

1 
17 

0..'-. 

5.5 
1.6 

1.8  ; 

3.4  1 

Y'oar. 


188!) 

IHHO 
1887 


1888 
1881) 
1888 
188!) 


18,89 
18;-i7 
1888 
1S89 
1880 
1880 
1887 
188S 
1886 

1887 
18S8 
188!) 
1889 

1888 
1883 
188 

1888 
1.''88 
IWIl 
18U1 
I.SUI 


Remarks. 


First  year  of  hunting. 

Some  oidy  "sliot  at." 
First  year  of  bunt- 
ing. 


First  yearof  hunting; 
otlier  hunters  on 
sebi  loners  lo.st  about 
same  proportion. 

First  year  of  hunting. 
Ditto. 


Total  , 


9,  337 


381 


3.4  j  1891 
4.0 


Ditto. 


Quoted  as  an  example 
ot'a  good  day  H  work. 


Nos.  1  to  20.  from  sijxned  state,nieiitR  given  in  Parliamentary  Taper  fC.  6131  ],  1890.  >fos.  21  and  22, 
fnuu  "UelatioMS  willi  (.Canada,"  United  States  Senate,  .'>lst  ('onj;ress,  1st  Session,  Kepori;  1530.  Nos. 
23  to  25  from  eviileneo  personally  obtained.    Nos.  20  to  '.'8  frrim  sworn  statements  obtained  in  1892. 


108 


Indian  Hunters. 


Native  Hunters. 

Tribe  or  I'laeo. 

Skins 
Obtained. 

Seals  Lost. 

Loss 

I'er 

eent. 

Year. 

Kemarks. 

No.   1 

Sitka 

19 
21 

38 
37 
126 
111) 
8 
50 

4 

0 
B 
U 
0 
3 
2 
1,2,  ornono 

20.0 

"ao 

"'3.3' 
25.0 

'  181)6" 
1891 
1  «'.)<) 
1889 
1889 

,.     .) 

Haida 

"    2 

"    3 

II 

"    4 

"     (on  y.dele)- 
II             ., 

Hailtzak 

Makab 

"    5 

"     0 

"    7 

Nos.  1  to  7,  all  from  eviileuce  por:,i.naUy  obtained. 

r>2S.  A  certain  propoif iou  of  the  seals  shot  of  c  n\so  escape,  and  in 
killinji;  on  tlie  isliiiids  each  year,  some  art^  fouiKl  witii  encysted  sliot  in 
the  skin  or  hhihber,  A  few  ounces  of  sliot  thus  obtained  was  siiown 
to  us  on  tlie  I'ribyloif  Ishinds  as  that  coUected  from  seals  killed  in  1S!)(). 
This  afifireyated  much  less  than  ^  lb.,  but  plat^inji'  the  amount  at8  ozs., 
this  would  jiive,  at  laO  pellets  to  the  lb.,  seventy-live  shot  gathered 
from  L'l,000  .seals  killed,  or  at  the  ratt^  of  one  pellet  to  L'SO  seals.  As  in 
most  cases  several  pellets  mi{;lit  be  found  in  a  single  seal,  while  in  otliiT 
cases  shot  might  bo  present  but  not  found  iu  skinning  and  cutting  up 

B  S,  VT  VI 11 


^sm 


;gyji^ 


162 


REPORT    OF    imiTISTI    COMMISSIONERS. 


the  seal,  tlio  }»ro|)<»iti()n  thus  stilted  jnobably  more  tliiin  roprosouts  the 
liitio  of  seals  so  sli};litly  wounded  as  to  reach  and  live  on  the  ishuids 
in  appaient  health. 

021).  it  appears  to  ,ave  Ix'eu  very  fjeiierally  taken  for  .granted,  on  a 
priori  {^rounds,  by  most  of  the  apolo;;ists  for  the  metiiods  of  hi'id  kill- 
ing, that  the  fur  seal  does  and  must  sink  inunediately  when  shot  at  sea. 
Actual  experience  contradicts  this  assumption  in  t:he  manner  and  to 
the  degree  explained  above,  and  it  is,  therefore,  usek'ss  to  enter  at 
leufi'th  into  the  (juestion  of  the  analofi^y  of  the  fur  seal  with  other  ani- 
mals in  this  resp('(;t,  wiiich  has  been  advanced  to  show  that  the  fur-seal 
should  not  float.  Arjj;unients  of  this  kind  have  been  d«'rived  particu- 
larly IVom  the  circiunstance  that  the  varicuis  si)ecies  of  hair  seal  often 
sitdv  when  shot  before  they  (Mu  be  recoveicd.  it  must  not  be  forj^otten, 
however,  that  the  hair-seal  beloiiijs  to  an  entirely  dilferent  j^rou])  of  the 
IMnnipedia.  and  is  characterized  not  only  by  a  much  heavier  osseous 
framework,  but  also  by  a  smaller  lunji'  capacity  in  proportion  to  its 
Aveijiht.  Yet  even  the  hair  seal  is  often  siiot  and  secured  at  sea,  where 
its  i)ursuit  is  made  an  industry,  and  it  is  only  when  exceptionally  lean 
that  it  sinks  rai)idly. 

(!.'U>.  The  following;'  notes  bearing  on  this  particular  subje(!t  maybe 
(pu)ted  from  Mi'.  .1.  A.  Allen's  "•  Monograph  of  North  American  Pinni- 
l)eds,"  which  has  already  been  IVecpUMitly  relerreil  to: 

"  Like  otlicr  Niiccics  of  tlic  si'mI  raiiiilv,  tlic  liiiiboiir  seal  is  very  tciiaciouH  of  life, 
and  iiuisf  bo  struck  in  a  vital  part  liy  citluu'  l>all  or  licavy  HJiot.  in  oidt-r  to  kill  it  on 
Tho  spot."  Says  Mr.  h'ccks:  "  I  havo  liiscu  olti'ii  amused  at  published  aceonnts  of 
Hcals  siiot  in  tile  'riiaincs  or  cl.sewlicre,  but  wliieli  "sank  inunediately."  What  seal 
or  other  aiu]>liibious  animal  would  not  do  so  if  "tickled"  with  the  ;;i('ater  \tiivt  of, 
]i«M'ha|)s,  an  ounce  of  No.  .">  shot.'  lie  adils  that  it  is  only  in  the  s|)rin;;-  of  tho  year 
that  tins  seal  will  "lloat"  when  killed  in  the  water,  but  says  that  he  has  never  seen 
a  seal  "so  poor,  which,  if  killed  dfiitl  on  the  xpot,  would  not  have  lloatcd  from  five  to 
ten  se<'onds,''  or  loiifi  eiion:;li  to  {;ive  "  anipie  tinw  for  towini^  ahuij^side,"  :-up])osin^!; 
the  animal  to  have  been  killed  by  shot,  and  the  Imat  to  contain  "  two  hands." 

Again,  referring  to  the  bearded  seal,  .Mr.  Allen  (pu)tes  Kundien,  as 
follows: 

In  ,Tuly.  dnrinij;  the  inoultiiii;  time,  their  stomachs  coiitaincd  nothinj;  but  stones, 
some  ot'  tlu'iii  nearly  of  a  iiiiaitci-ponnd  weight.  They  scc^m  to  e;it  nothing;  durinj^ 
the  entire  time  ol' sheddinu — piidtably  six  weidcs.  t'i'rtain  it  is  they  lose  all  their 
blubber,  and  by  the  midtlie  of  .Inly  have  not  hi  njj;  but  "  whiti'-lnuse  " — a  ton;;li.  white, 
somewhat  eartil;ii;inoua  substance,  in  place  of  blubber.  .\t  this  season  they  sink 
■when  shot. 

031.  Xo  loss  occurs  at  sea  from  the  taking  of  Sv  Is  with  "stagey"  or 
unmerchantable  skins.  All  those  familiar  with  pelagic  sealing  who  were 
(piestioned  upon  this  point  agreed  as  to  the  I'act  th.it  "stagey"  skins 
are  practically  never  got  at  sea,  not  even  in  Behriiig  Sea  at  the  season 
at  which  the  seals  upon  thi'  islands  are  distinctly  "stagey."  The  skins 
taken  in  the  earliest  |)art  of  the  sealing  season,  in  December  and  -lan- 
tuiry,  are  sometinu's  rather  inferior,  but  they  do  not  fall  into  the  general 
category  ol' "stagey"  skins. 

032.  It  would  thus  appetir  thiit  the  distinctly  "stagey"  or  "slu'dding" 
condition  of  the   fur-seal   supervenes  after  a  sojourn   of  some 

10!)  length  on  shore,  and  that  such  sojourn  results  in  a  geiu-ral  change 
of  ])elage  which  does  not  occur  in  the  same  marked  way  when 
the  n.nim.'ls  remain  at  sea.  The  same  circumstance  has  lUrther  some 
bearing  on  the  (piestion  of  tin-  possil>le  excursi(Uis  of  tiie  seals  from  tho 
breeding  islands,  and  on  the  interchaiigeal>ility  of  tlu^  seals  renmining 
on  or  about  the  islands  witli  those  of  the  genertd  seasurtace,  which 
thus  seems  to  be  exceptional,  during  at  lesist  the  hiter  summer  and 
early  autumn,  which  is  the  "stagey"  season  iisho.e. 


*y  ^'>^ 
I)  \v(!!ro 

skins 
l^ciisou 

skins 
ll  ,lan- 
Icneral 

lainfv" 
some 

when 

some 

j>ni  tl\o 

lainiujr 

1  whii'U 

n"  sun  I 


llEl'OUT    or    HRlTISir    COMMISSIONERS. 


(D.) — Cot'tixmtioH  of  Catch. 


103 


flr?3.  r.y  tli<>  ]>('liij;i('  scalcus  and  by  tlie  Indiati  liunters  nlonj;  the  coast, 
Inrsoals  of  hotii  sexes  an;  killed,  iiiid,  indeed,  it  would  he  uiireasoiiahle, 
under  tlicj  cireuuistaneiNS,  to  expect  that  n  distinction  should  he  nnide 
in  tld.s  respeift,  any  more  than  that  the  anj;ler  should  discriminate 
between  the  sexes  of  the  fish  he  may  liook.  lOven  iiixtn  the  breediug 
islands,  it  is  ilillicidt  for  the  most  experienced  natives  to  distiniiuisli 
virfjin  females  from  yonn/^'  niides  of  correspond  in  jj  size  in  the  drives,* 
and  in  the  autumn  of  IS'.M,  we  are  informed  by  an  eyewitness,  that  in 
endeavourinj;  to  secure  a  female  yearlinj;'  seal  alive  for  the  zoolojiical 
I'ollection  at  San  Francisco,  no  less  tlnin  seven  male  seals  were  succes- 
sively captured  by  the  natives,  wh(»,  jmi'  inj;  from  the  f^eneral  api)ear- 
ance  of  the  animals,  believed  them  to  oe  fenniles,  bc^fore  one  of  the 
re(iuisite  sex  was  obtained!  At  sea,  save  in  exceptional  cases,  females 
can  only  be  certainly  dete(!ted  by  an  examination  of  the  body  when  it 
is  brought  on  bnard.  The  fur  of  the  feund(i  is  eipially  <jood  with  that 
of  the  male,  and  under  the  (;onditions  under  which  the  liuntin<:  is  (tar- 
ried on,  there  is  room  for  no  sentimentid  c(»nsiderationsin  favour  of  (Mther 
sex.  Hut  it  is  unfortunately  the  case,  that  at  certain  seasons  consid- 
erable numbers  of  f^iavid  females  are  thus  killed,  and  this  killinj;  is 
deprecated  by  the  better  classes  of  the  pelajjic  sealers  themselves,  not 
alone  on  {•rounds  of  humanity,  but  because  they  see  clearly  that  it  is 
unduly  destructive  to  the  industry  in  which  their  fortunes  are  embarked. 
l"'rom  communications  held  with  pelagic  sealeis,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  any  eipiitable  arranjicment  liavinj;'  for  its  object  the  minimizin^jcof 
this  particular  cause  of  loss  would  be  favourably  received  by  them. 
\Nith  the  natives  alonj;  the  coast  it  is  somewhat  dilferent;  their  tradi- 
tional code  of  ethics  admits  of  no  jteriod  of  immunity  for  any  wdd 
animal,  ami  the  continjiency  of  future  decrease  appears  to  them  to  be 
too  lemote  to  be  taken  into  their  consideration.  They  are.  constitution- 
ally observant,  and  in  no  de{;ree  reticent  aboui  the  killing;' ol'  fenndes 
with  younji',  and  the  statements  on  this  subject  obtained  from  tliem  may 
be  implicitly  trusted. 

031.  On  the  ([uestion  of  the  <;eneral  co?ni)osition  of  the  pelajiic  catch 
in  resjyect  to  sex  and  ajje  of  seals  killed,  and  the  special  abundaiuie  of 
various  kiiuls  of  seals  in  certain  paits  of  the  huiitinj;  area  or  at  par- 
ticular dates,  evidence  varyinj;-  much  as  to  numerical  proportion  and 
often  diametrically  opposite  in  bearing;  may  easily  be  oi)taiiu>d.  It  is 
only  natural,  and  is  entirely  in  accord  with  what  mi;'lit  be  expected, 
that  the  ])roportions  of  seals  by  sexes  and  ajjes  should  be  tbuiul  to  ditVer 
very  considerably  in  dilferent  instances,  even  in  a  siniile  .\ear,  in  con- 
formity with  the  dates  or  phu'cs  in  which  the  jireater  proportion  of  any 
l)articular  <!atch  was  secured,  and  tin;  kind  of  seals  in  each  case  fallen 
in  with.  Some  landsmen  are  found  to  be  em|»iiatically  certain  that 
nearly  the  whoU;  of  the  pela,nic  catch  consists  of  femali's,  but  this  does 
not  accoid  with  the  testimony  of  those  who  are  or  have  been  actually 
en{'a{>'ed  in  sea  sea  I  ins';  and  while  it  is  not  maintained  that  the  evidence 
of  such  practical  sealers  is  entirely  untinctured  by  motives  of  personal 
interest,  it  must  hv,  evident  that  these  men  know  more  on  the  subject 
than  any  others.  Subjoined  are  <|Uolations  oral)stra<'ts  relatinj;  to  the 
composition  (»f  t'ae  pelaj^ic  (latch,  obtained  from  what  are  believed  tol)o 
trustworthy  sources,  anil  in  a  number  of  cases  derived  from  statements 
made  over  the  sifiuatures  of  the  individuals  as  taken  under  oath.    The 

•See  "Hull.  Mii».  Coiiip.  /doI.,"  vol.  ii,  Part  I,  p.  KC). 


164 


UEPOKT    OV    ItRITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


very  fact  tliat  tliosc  sfateiiKMits,  tlionsii  taken  at  (lilteront  timea,  anc'l 
while  varyiii.n'  considerably  from  the  point  of  view  of  nnnierieai  jn'ojMvr- 
tions,  tally  very  well  in  the  main,  one  with  anotiier,  is  an  iiilierent  jn'oof 
of  theii-  credibility. 

(».'ir».  It  must  not  ])efoi'fjotten,  however,  in  examininji  tliese  statements, 
that  the  com[>lementary  information  derived  fnnn  the  breedinfj  islands 
shows  that  the  ])ersisteMt  killinji'  of  youiifj  males  has  led  of  lat<  years 
to  the  existence  of  a  very  larjic  surplus  of  females,  and  that,  therefore, 
the  i»ro|>ortion  of  females  to  the  whole  number  of  seals,  whetiu>r  at  sea 
<tr  ashore,  is,  at  the  present  tinu%  according'  to  the  information  obtained 
by  us,  (piite  abnormal. 

Th»^  term  "coast  cat(di," often  used  in  the  followinj;' statements,  must 
be  understood  to  ujean  the  seals  taken  to  the  south  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands,  and,  as  a  rule,  to  tliose  tisken  south  of  any  i)art  of  the  coast 

of  .Alaska. 
1 10  The  evidences  first  (pioted  below,  is  that  obtained  from  Indian 

hunters. 

The  Indians  of  Neah  I>ay,  ac(!ustonied  to  hunt  about  Cape  Flattery, 
in  the  State  of  Washinjjton,  informed  us  that  in  the  early  part  of  the 
summer  they  often  found  livinjj;youn<;in  females  killed,  of  wliich  at  that 
season  there  Avas  a  considerable  proportion;  but  later  in  the  summer  no 
jjravid  females  ar(^  found,  most  of  the  catch  consistinjiof  younjjuialesor 
youuji'  females.  Of  the  total  cat(di,  they  thought  that  about  one-twen- 
tieth consisted  ol"  ji'rey  pups.  In  18i>0  seals  of  this  (dass  were  abundant, 
but  in  I.SIM  very  few. 

iVMi.  At  Nawitti,  near  the  north  end  of  Vancouver  Island,  the  Indians 
lind  younjn"  in  the  females  killed  in  the  early  summer.  These  are  (piite 
stroufi',  and  if  thrown  into  the  water  swim  well.  One  man  kept  such  a 
younj>'  seal  alive  for  six  days. 

<i;)7.  At  r.ella  r>ella,  the  Indians  tlsink  tiiat  the  Isirjjer  ])roportion  of 
the  seals  they  kill  in  tiic  early  part  of  the  season  are  femides.  and  these 
are  often  with  younj:'.  Voun<j  taken  from  females  often  live  for  thi'ce 
weeks  or  a  month.  They  dritik  water,  but  will  not  eat,  and  so  probably 
die  of  starvation.  Some  time  in  May  the  females  disai)pear,  and  the 
jjreater  part  of  the  catch  then  consists  of  youny  males,  by  which  they 
nu>an  males  somewhat  snniller  than  the  full-.nrown  female. 

(JiJS.  About  the  (v>ni'*'i»  Charlotte  Islands,  many  of  the  seals  killed  are 
females,  and  a  lar,iie  proportion  of  these,  in  the  latter  part  of  April  and 
early  jtart  of  May,  are  with  yonnji'.  The  Indians  state  that  the  yonn«^ 
taken  tVom  the  mother  mi<;ht  live  a  eoui)le  of  hours,  but  they  are  inva- 
riably killed,  as  it  is  believed  that  if  allowed  to  live  the  hunters  will  be 
unlucky.  A  White  hunter,  who  had  been  with  the  Indians  here,  stated 
that  he  ha<l  tried  to  keej)  such  yonnji',  which  coulil,  in  some  cases,  swim 
(juite  strongly,  but  that  the  Imlians  had  bejLi,ii«'d  of  him  to  kill  them. 
Mr.  A.  .^lackenzie,  when  buyinji'  skins  for  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
at  Masset,  refusetl  to  purchase  the  skins  of  unborn  pups  on  any  terms; 
but  after  a  time  the  Indians  found  they  could  sell  them  to  the  Chinese, 
workinji"  at  salmon  canneries  on  the  Skeemi  KMver. 

(hVJ.  .About  IJonilla  Island,  in  the  northern  part  of  Hecate  Strait,  the 
seals  obtaint'd  in  sprinji'  are  chielly  females,  but  after  the  Ist.Iune  these 
leave,  and  the  catch  is  then  composed  of  non  breediiif;'  seals,  supposed 
to  be  about  three  years  old.  Tin'  younji'  are  often  fully  matured  in  the 
female,  and  Indians  say  that  they  will  swim  if  thrown  into  the  water. 
The  i)eople  here  have  not  the  same  sup  MStition  as  those  on  the  (,)ueeu 
Cliarlotte  Islaiuls,  and  have  sometimes  ke])t  the  youn<;'  seals  aliv6.  for 
three  weeks  or  a  month.     Mr.  Lockerl  y,  connected  witli  the  Hudson's 


f( 
t 


UKI'OUT    OF    ilUITISII    rOMMI.SSlONEUS. 


1G5 


(1  are 

iUUl 

inva- 

ill  1)1' 

tated 

swim 

:heiu. 

ipany 

'iins; 

mese. 

It,  t\w 
Ithest*. 
osod 
III  tho 
Ivater. 

■b.  foi- 
llsou's 


]iay  Coniimiiy  at  Tort  Siin]is(>n,  states  tliat  tlic  skins  ])ur<'haso(l  tiicni 
are  ciassi'd  by  size,  imt  accordiii^  to  sex,  l)ut,  so  tuv  as  lie  can  Jn(]j;('.  a 
lar^e  part  eonsists  of  yonnj;'  males,  with  a  eonsiderablci  proportion  of 
{••rey  paps. 

(•40,  Indians  liunting  from  Sitka,  in  South-eastern  Ahiska,  often  find 
livin;;yonnj;in  females  killed.  These  are  skinned, and  the  skins  possess 
some  little  valne. 

(ill.  in  tli(^  eastern  jiart  of  tlie  Aleutian  Islands,  so  ineonsiderable a 
nnnd)er  of  seals  are  killed  in  spring  or  snmmer,  that  very  few  gravid 
females  can  be  inclnded. 

()12.  The  followinjn-  evi<lenee  on  this  parti(;nlar  sid)jeet  is  that  eon- 
tained  in  written  statements  as  to  tho  varions  ])Iaces  of  sealin;;',  made, 
by  some  of  the  most  experienced  and  intellij;tMit  pelagic  sealers: 

(i4;{.  William  Fewinf^s  says:  "it  is  very  seldom  a  female  is  killed  in 
P.ehriii<>-  Sea,  earryinj;  her  young'  with  her,  and  out  of  1,000  killed  on 
the  coast  earlier  in  the  season,  less  than  one  third  are  females  earryinj^ 
their  younj>"." 

OH.  ('ai)tain  ,].!),  Warren  says:  ''Of  the  seals  taken  alonj;'  theeoast. 
abont  one  half  are  females,  and  of  tlie  females,  not  more  than  one  half 
are  with  youiiji,-.  In  liehrinji  Sea,  not  more  than  1  in  100  of  these 
taken  by  the  hnnters  are  females  with  yonnj-',  because  as  soon  as  the 
females  carrying'  their  yonng  get  into  the  sea  they  go  to  the  breeding 
islands  or  rookeries,  and  in  a  few  days  their  young  are  born.  The  cows 
remain  with  their  young  till  tlify  are  (juite  able  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves, i  do  not  think  that  of  tlie  seals  taken  by  Indian  and  White 
hunters  nuire  than  ;{0  per  cent,  are  females  actually  l)reeding',  or  capa- 
ble of  breeding.  'Old  bulls,"  'baehelors,'  'two  year  old  pups,' and  'bar- 
ren eows '  make  uj)  the  great  majority.  (Jows  actually  breeding  are  very 
Matehful,  and  while  on  their  voyage  northward  are  ever  on  tlie  alert, 
so  they  are  dillieult  t » take.  On  theother  hand,  the  other  classes  above 
namiMl  make  up  the  great  class  of  'sleepers,'  from  which  fully  00  per 
cent,  of  the  whole  (latch  of  hunters  is  derived.  1  never  saw  or  heard 
of  a  'cow'  having  her  young  beside  her  in  the  wat<.'r,  either  on  the  coast 
or  in  Jkdiriiig  Sea." 

(545.  Captain  William  O'Leary  says:  "About  half  the  seals  taken 
along  the  coast  are  eows,  and  perhaps  two-thirds  of  the  cows  an;  with 
young,  rutting  a  vessel's  catch  at  400,  from  150  to  175  ndght  be  cows 
with  young.  In  liehring  Sea  the  average  of  e(»ws  with  young  killed 
will  not  average  1  in  100,  for  the  reason  that  as  soon  as  the  eows  roach  the 
sea  they  goto  the  breeding  islands,  where  their  y(»ung  are  born." 
Ill  George  Howe  says:  "About  one  third  of  the  seals  taken  on  the 

coast  are  cows  with  i»up,  or  capable  of  being  with  pup.  In  Ueh- 
ring  Sea  I  got  four  eows  with  [JUfis  in  them."  (Thi  ■,  was  in  a  season's 
catch.) 

Albert  J.  r>ertram  says:  "I  got  during  the  season  320  seals.  .  .  , 
On  the  coast  1  got  about  twenty-tive  to  thirty  females  with  young  in 
them,  and  in  liehring  Sea  I  'got  six  or  seven.  1  iievei'  saw  a  cow  with 
her  pup  alongside  of  her  in  the  water." 

()4().  Jn  the  swoin  statements  obtained  by  Mr.  INliliu',  and  already 
referred  to,  ti'e(]uent  reference  is  made  to  the  eom])osition  of  the  catch, 
both  along  the  coast  and  in  Uehring  Sea.  l"'rom  these  statements  the 
following  abstracts  have  been  made: 

C.  .1,  Kelly,  two  years'  experience  in  sealing,  found  the  percentage  «d" 
females  to  be  always  less  than  that  of  males. 

Captain  W.  Petit,  who  seems  to  iiavt^  ])aid  i)articidar  attention  to 
tliis  matter,  savs  that  m  18D1  of  705  seals  killed,  18  were  females  carry- 


166 


REPORT    OF    imiTISH    COMMISSIONKRS. 


injjT  youiij; — not  (|uito  L'A  percent.  "About  10  per  cent,  every  season 
iire  barren  <'o\vs,  and  \-\  per  cent,  j^rey  ])ups  (ahvay.s  males).  My 
catch  Mas  more  than  75  per  cent,  males;  more  niiih's  were  taken  in 
Jiehrir.}?  Sea  tlian  in  any  former  year."  He  fuither  states  that  in  188(5 
he  took  otf  Jiarclay  Sound,  in  one  (biy,  \0\  seals,  of  whidi  li  only  were 
females.  In  1887,  on  I'ortlock  Hank,  21)  seals  were  taken  in  one  day; 
ol"  these  -5  were  females.  "JMore  barren  cows  are  killed  than  those 
bearing-  youn}>\" 

Captain  W.  K.  Baker's  i)ropoition  last  year  was  3  males  to  1  female. 
The  i)ercentage  of  barren  females  was  considerable. 

Captain  (J.  N.  ('ox  states  that  females  are  more  abundant  in  Feb- 
ruary, March,  and  A[»ril  than  at  any  other  time.  Very  few  females  with 
l)up  are  taken  in  May.  Bearing  (M)ws  are  not  got  in  r»ehring  Sea  after 
their  young  have  bc^eu  born.  Of  848  seals  taken  along  the  coast  by 
him  in  181)1,  75  ])er  cent,  were  males,  15  per  cent,  were  breeding  females, 
and  10  i)er  cent,  barren  females,  in  1881),  1)0  p<T  cent,  of  his  catch  con- 
sisted of  males. 

Cai)tain  A.  Bissit  believes  that  more  males  than  females  are  killed, 
and  that  more  females  in  ])roi)ortion  are  taken  in  March  and  April  than 
in  other  months,     ills  cjitch  in  1801  showed  75  to  80  per  cent,  of  males. 

(Japtain  T.  M.  Magnei-en  states  that  RMuales  are  most  ])lentiful  in 
February,  March,  and  Api'il;  they  about  equal  the  males  then.  Nejir 
liehring  Sea  the  ])roportion  is  about  80  niales  to  1  female.  About  half 
his  catch  last  year  wiis  females,  12  or  11  per  cent,  bearing  females,  the 
otliers  barren. 

II.  (h'ocker,  four  years'  e.\i)erience,  thinks  females  are  most  plentiful 
from  February  to  May;  80  per  cent,  of  the  seals  killed  are  males. 

R.  Thompson,  two  years'  exi)eru!nce,  says  that  70  to  80  per  cent,  of 
tlu^  seals  taken  are  males. 

Andrew  Laing,  ten  yeais'  experience,  fouiul  in  his  coast  catch  that  3 
in  every  5  seals  were  mah^s;  in  Behring  Sea  4  in  every  5  were  males. 
The  females  include  biirren  cows. 

Ca])tain  W.  Cox,  four  years'  ex])erience,  states  that  females  are  most 
al»undant  in  February,  March,  and  April;  in  February  and  March 
there  are  as  many  females  with  young  as  nniles.  About  (»5  or  70  per 
cent,  of  the  seals  taken  are  males.  15  per  cent,  are  barren  fenuiles,  and 
about  15  ])er  cent,  bearing  females.  Of  li,4.'>4  seals  taken  by  him  in 
Behring  Sea,  about  5  jter  cent,  weie  females  in  milk. 

Captain  Charles  llackett,  live  years'  exjierlence,  has  observed  no  dif- 
ferei\ce  in  the  proportion  of  fenudes  in  dill'erent  montiis.  In  1800  about 
one-ijuarter  of  his  catch  consisted  of  i'emales;  in  18!>1,  about  one-half. 
In  a  catch  of  1,555  seals  in  Behring  Sea,  he  took  only  ten  females  with 
pup  between  the  15th  .Inly  and  tlie  last  of  that  month.  Got  quite  a 
nund)er  of  barren  cows. 

(Japtain  C.  McDougall,  three  years'  exi)erience,  took  1,100  seals  in 
liehring  Sea,  of  whicli  800  were  males.  The  proportion  of  barren  cows 
is  about  one  to  ten  bearing  cows  in  Behring  Sea. 

Captain  A.  Douglas,  seven  years'  experience,  has  not  obtained  more 
seals  in  onc^  month  than  in  another.  One  or  two  females  in  pup  are 
taken  during  tlu^  season  in  Behring  Sea. 

Captain  S.  S.  McLean,  seven  years'  experieiu'C,  got  more  nuiles  than 
females  along  the  coast;  about  half  and  half  in  Behring  Sea.  About 
5  j)er  cent,  of  the  fenuiles  taken  in  Behring  Sea  are  barren.  My  catch 
last  year  (1801)  was  made  up  of  two  parts  males  and  one  females. 

()47.  In  co!il'erences  held  with  sealers,  sonu^  additional  particulars  aa 
to  the  i)roportion  of  fenuiles  taken  were  obtained,  as  follows: 


i 


REPORT   OF    HHITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


167 


111 


Ills  in 
cows 

more 
[p  are 

than 
Lbout 
:jatch 

tirs  as 


('aptaiii  I)(»(l  stilted  *^liat  heliad  taken  over  (iOO  seals  in  Belirinj;  8ca, 

olwliieli  less  Muiii  twenty  carried  yoiiii.i'-,  and  that  tlie  schooner 

llL'       ''Viva'' in  IS'M)  took  li,(J(»0  seals  in  Hciiriii;;-  Sea,  of  wliich  only 

two  were  leuiales  with  youiij;.     Cai)tain  liakor  said  that  in  JS!M 

on  Portlock  banks  hetbiind  males  most  abundant,  consisting;"  ofyouny, 

medium,  and  a  lew  full  j;ro\vn  animals. 

(Its.  A  consnitation  held  with  a  number  of  representative  pela{?ic 
sealers  on  this  ]»articular  point  elicited  the*  lbllowiii<;-  <;eneral  stat*;- 
meiit,  which,  it  is  believed,  is  in  entire  accordance  with  the  facts  in  so 
far  as  these  are  known  from  ]»ractical  experience,  as  no  dcfjiee  of  reti- 
cence was  shown  in  answerinj;'  direct  (piestions  on  all  i)oints  involved: 

It  is  generally  admitted  that  a  considerable  proportion  of  gravid 
females  are  found  among  the  seals  taken  in  tlie  early  part  of  eacii  seal- 
ing season.  Such  animals  are  geiieially  fallen  in  with  ii  more  or  less 
diffuse  groups,  one  area  of  sea  surface  being  characteri  ed  by  them, 
another  by  young  males  or  by  yearlings,  a  circunistan(\  which  may 
explain  the  rather  varied  i)roportions  by  sex  and  age  of  seals  comprised 
in  the  catches  of  dilferent  vessels.  Aft<'raboiit  the  2(ttli  jSIay,  or,  at 
latest,  the  1st  -lune,  very  few  females  with  young  are  ever  taken.  The 
]»regnaiit  females  then  begin  to  ''bunch  ui»,"  and  to  travel  fast  toward 
IJehring  Sea,  so  that  in  favourable  sealing  weather  (or,  in  other  words, 
calms  and  light  winds)  the  schooners  cannot  keep  up  with  them.  Alter 
this  time,  the  catch  consists  chielly  of  young  malesor  of  barren  females. 

M*.).  Behring  Sea  is  now  usually  entered  by  th(i  ]>elagic  sealers 
between  the  liOth  .lune  and  the  1st  .Inly,  and  in  Beliring  Sea  the  same 
conditions  hold.  The  gravid  females  are  well  ahead  of  tiie  sealers,  who 
have  been  working  up  the  West  Coast,  and  go  straiglit  to  the  breeding 
islands.  Jiy  the  time  the  sealers  reach  the  sea,  it  is  i)ra<!tically  only  the 
young  males  and  barren,  or  young  an<l  non  breeding,  females  which 
remain  dispersed  over  the  sea  to  be  taken.  At  a  later  date  in  the  sum- 
mer, a  few  females  in  milk,  and,  tluircfore,  presumably  from  the  breed- 
ing jdaces  on  th<^  islands,  are  occasionally  killed,  but  no  large  numbei'. 
This  last  fact  is  tiie  only  one  wliich  has  a  dirc'ci  bearing,  or  establishes 
a  direct  connection,  between  the  ecruiomy  of  the  breeding  rookeries 
and  the  hunting  of  legitimate  ])elagic  sealers,  as  distinguished  from 
raiders  on  tiie  islands,  in  Behring  Sea.  The  killing  of  unweaned  pujis 
U])on  the  islands,  together  with  other  matters  bearing  on  the  ])ossibIe 
excursions  of  breeding  females  to  sea,  are  fully  notice(l  in  another  part 
of  this  report,  which  should  be  referred  to  in  this  connection. 

(laO.  Statements  of  the  most  contradictory  kind  can  be  (puited  on  the 
siiltjectt  of  the  coiii]»ositioii  of  the  catch  made  by  th(^  pelagic  sealers. 
Doubtless,  this  varies  very  imtcli  in  dilferent  cases  and  in  ditlerent 
seasons, but  a  number  of  the  statements  met  with  are  so  extreme  from 
one  point  of  view  or  the  other,  that  they  must  be  supjiosed  to  have 
been  largely  coloured  by  interest.  The  single  fact,  already  referred  to, 
that  a  ceitain  number  of  the  young  males  killed  upon  the  islands  are 
found  to  i'ontain  pellets  of  shot,  is  suflicieiit  to  show  that  the  catch  of 
the  pelagic  sealers  and  Indians  is  not  practically  altogether  composed 
of  females,  as  some  persons  would  have  us  believe,  The  foregoing 
paragraphs  give  a  general  statement  of  the  case,  without  taking  smth 
extreme  views  on  either  side  into  account.  It  may  be  added,  however, 
that  the  excessive  killing  of  young  nnvles  on  the  breeding  ishinds  may 
probably,  by  changing  the  proiiortion  normally  existing  between  the 
sexes,  have  had  the  result  of  directly  increasing  the  number  of  females 
found  and  killed  at  sea  iu  late  years.  This  poiut  is  elsewhere  treated 
at  greater  length. 


1G8 


I{!;P()HT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONKUS. 


(jal.  The  {jfeiicral  coiicliision  to  be  derived  from  an  cxainination  of  the 
stateiiieiits  above  noted  is,  that  in  proportion  to  the  iinniber  of  skins 
obtained,  tliat  i)art  of  the  pehifjic  catch  made  in  the  early  part  of  the 
season,  and  to  the  Houtli  of  the  Alcntlan  Islands,  is  the  most  damaj;ing 
to  seal  life  as  a  whole,  while  the  skins  taken  after  this  date,  whether 
with(»ntor  within  Jiehring  Sea,  arc  obtained  at  much  less  proportionate 
cost  to  seal  life, 

052.  With  reference  to  the  composition  of  the  catch  of  the  peljigic 
sealers,  a  note  may  be  added  respecting  the  relative  amounts  of  those 
portions  of  the  catch  made  to  the  south  and  to  the  north  of  the  Aleu- 
tian chain,  known  as  tiie  "coast  cat(!h "  and  "Uehring  Sea  catch" 
respectively.    These  may  be  represented  iu  tabular  form  as  follows: 


t'li' 


Year. 


1H85. 
IKSB. 

IHHH. 
1889. 
1800. 
ItJOl. 


Coast  Cutcb. ' 

20 

;!89 

11. 

921 

H, 

r)02 

7, 

(>7t! 

12 

;i7i 

21. 

;i!io 

20 

727 

lielirinj;  Soa 

Catch 

(KiLslcrii  ami 

Weslurii). 

800 
12, 42;i 
11,7(54 
10, 65:) 
15,  497 
18.105 
2»,  888 


113  (if).'}.  lOvidence  has  been  imt  forward  as  to  the  comimsltion  ot 

the  catches  on  sliore  and  at  sea,  based  upon  the  reports  of  skins 
as  sorted  in  the  factories  in  London  wh<  re  the  skins  are  prepared  for 
the  market.  It  is,  however,  to  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  skins  arrive 
at  these  factories  classed  as  they  were  for  sale,  and  the  titles  used  do 
not  necessarily  im])ly  the  actual  source  of  origin,  but  rather  the  kind 
and  quality  of  the  skin. 

It  is,  however,  asserted  by  the  experts,  that  the  diiferent  localities 
l)roduce  somewhat  ditlerent  skins,  which  is  probable.  Thus  it  is  said 
that  while  the  skins  known  as  "Alaska"  (assumed  to  come  from  the 
I'ribyloft"  Islands)  and  "Coi)per"  (assumed  to  come  from  the  Com- 
mander Islands)  are  distinguishable,  in  that  the  former  have  as  a  rule 
a  longer  and  liner  fur,  that  yet  the  skins  from  the  two  sources  are  often- 
times identical  in  quality.  Indeed,  it  would  appear  that  in  many  cases 
skins  are  classed  as  "Alaska"  because  they  have  longer  and  finer  fur, 
and  not  because  of  any  known  place  of  origin.  As  a  rule,  the  "Alaska" 
skins  have  come  for  lil'teen  years  ])a.st  in  much  better  order  than  any 
others.  They  have  been  originally  better  skinned  and  better  cared  for 
all  through. 

It  ai)pears  that  at  the  factory,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  they  can  chiefly 
tell  whi(!h  are  "north-west  catch"  skins  by  the  obvious  marks  of  shot 
or  spear,  which  often  reduce  the  market  value  of  a  skin  by  25  or  30  per 
cent.  But  there  is  nothing  to  ,show  that  such  skins  were  not  taken  close 
to  or  even  u])on  the  Pribylott"  Islands. 

It  is  also  easy,  esjiecially  after  the  skins  are  ready  prepared,  to  rec- 
ognize the  four  teats  of  the  female.  But,  more  especially  in  the^Smaller 
skins,  the  marks  of  sex  are  extremely  difficult  to  trace.  For  instance, 
in  one  jtarcel  examined  in  London,  wliich  Avas  marked  "faulty,"  all  the 
skins  with  the  exception  of  three,  were  female,  and  most  of  them  badly 
shot-marked.  But  the  great  majority  were  young  females,  giving  but 
little  or  no  evidence  of  having  suckled  any  young.  There  was  no 
evidence  to  show  whether  these  seals  were  obtained  at  sea  or  ou  the 
rookeries  by  raids. 


I 


rec- 
all er 
mce, 
1  tbc 
adly 
but 

110 

tlie 


s 


HEFOKT   OF    BIUTISU    COMMISSIONERS. 


1G9 


The  female  skins  were  also  to  be  (listinj^iiislied  by  tlie  sii])erior  fine- 
ness of  the  fur,  and  by  its  beinjj  thinner  on  th»^  "  Hanks  "or  under  part 
than  ou  the  back. 

(E.) — Fidurc  of  the  Industry. 

654.  Asto  the  probable  rntiiie  of  iielajjic  senlinj;,  whicli  as  at  present 
])raetised  has  not  been  in  existence  for  niucli  more  than  twenty  yenrs; — 
like  any  other  industry  depeiidinj;'  on  tiie  continued  existence  in  suita- 
ble numbers  of  the  animal  upon  which  it  is  biised,  this  may  easily  be 
overdone.  The  rej;iil;itioMs  under  which  tiie  shin};liter  of  fur-senls  on 
the  PribylolV  Islands  has  l)cen  carried  on  for  tlie  past  twenty  years  or 
more  have  on  the  avei;tj;e  been  such  as  to  require  killinj,'  tlu're  to  be 
l)ushed  to  and  beyond  tiienuiximnm  fijiiire  which  tlie  seal  life  fretpientinj;' 
tiiese  islands  eonhl  alford,  without  siiowinj;-  evidences  of  rapid  decaease. 
The  arrangements  have  been,  in  fact,  so  framed  as  to  make  tli'  lessees 
of  the  Pribylotf  Ishmds  as  far  as  ](ossible  the  sole  beneticiarics  of  the 
entire  eastern  side  of  the  North  Pacific,  under  tlu^  belief,  that  by  the 
possession  of  the  breeding  islands  it  was  jjossible  to  monopolize  the 
industry.  The  metiiods  upon  tiie  islands  had  themselves  resulted  in 
decrease  when  the  growth  of  the  independent  industry  of  pelagic  seal  in  ff 
began  still  farther  to  atfect  seal  life,  and,  as  elsewhere  shown,  cooperated 
in  producing  a  decrease  at  a  more  rapid  rate  in  late  years. 

055.  The  hyi)otlietical  (piestionniay  herebe  ]»iit:  if  all  killing  should 
be  stopped  U])on  the  breeding  islands,  and  the  pelagic;  industry  be  left 
untrammelled  by  regulations  on  the  high  seas,  wliat  would  be  the  ulti- 
mate effect  on  seal  life?  Experience  directly  obtained  with  reference 
to  the  fur-seal  is  here  entirely  wanting.  The  history  of  all  the  depleted 
breeding  jilaces  of  other  i)arts  of  the  world  clearly  ]>oints  to  a  single 
cause  of  damage,  viz.,  unrestricted  and  barbarous  killing  on  shore  uiion 
the  breeding  grounds.  Analogy  with  the  history  of  other  maritime 
industries,  sucli  as  those  conducted  for  ordinary  food  fishes,  becomes, 
however,  in  the  case  sujiiiosed,  directly  apposite.  Emi)loying  such 
analogies,  it  may  be  aflirmed  that  so  long  as  the  industry  continues  to 
be  profitable,  a  greater  number  of  vessels  will  each  year  be  employed 
in  it;  but  that  before  long  a  point  will  be  reached  at  which,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  greater  coiii[)etition,  the  ever-increasing  wariness  of  the 
seal,  and  a  reduction  in  total  numbers. — the  profits  will  diminish,  unre- 
munerative  voyages  will  frequently  be  made,  and  a  reaction  will  occur 
such  as  to  allow  a  renewed  increase  of  the  animal.  Such  an  automatic 
principle  of  regulation  appears  to  be  necessarily  inherent  in  the  seal 
fishery  as  in  other  fisheries,  but  just  what  the  average  annual  catch 
might  number  when  thisi)articular  fishery  rea<;lied  its  level  of  stability, 
it  is  of  course  impossible  to  say.  It  is  not  likely,  however,  that  it 
would  show  a  continued  decline  so  serious  as  that  which  has  attected 
the  whale  lishery,  for  this  is  due  to  special  causes  which  are  well  known ; 
and,  under  the  conditions  which  have  been  assumed  for  the  fur-seal  fish- 
ery, the  breeding  i)laces  of  the  animal  would  be  continuously  exempted 

from  atta('k. 
114  G5G.  One  of  the  most  obvious  and  generally  applicable  methods 

of  controlling  pelagic  sealing  would  be  the  geneial  adoption  of 
rules  against  the  employment  of  specially  destructive  methods,  and  such 
rules  might  be  arranged  by  international  consent  as  applicable  to  cer- 
taiu  defined  tracts  of  the  liigh  seas,  in  the  manner  which  has  been 
advocated  in  connection  with  the  subject  of  the  "purse"  seine  in  the 
mackerel  fishery  of  the  Atlantic  coast.*    Thus,  the  use  of  vessels  with 

*See  "Report  of  Department  of  Fislicriea,"  Cauada,  1890,  p.  70,  and  Appendix 
IX,  p.  14.  • 


170 


UKI'OUT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONKRS. 


steain  i)()\ver  iiiij;Iit  bo  prevented,  iis  well  ;i,s  that  of  ritles  in  sliootinj,' 
the  seals.  Nets  have  seareeJy  been  used  aloiij;  the  eastern  part  of  tlie 
North  I'acitie  in  tlie  fur  seal  iishery,  and  it  is  improbable  tliat  they  can 
be  advantageously  enii)loye(l  aiiy\vhei(^  beyond  the  tliree-niile  limit. 
The  only  known  case  in  which  nets  Inive  actually  as  yet  been  ein|)loyed 
occurred  in  1S8H,  when  it  is  on  record  that  the  Alaska  (commercial  Coni- 
])any  fltted  out  two  schooners,  privately  owned,  to  net  seals  in  the 
passes  leadiufi'  from  Jiehrin<;-  Sea  throuj^h  the  Aleutian  Islands.  One 
of  these  schooners  is  stated  to  have  obtained  7(M»  j;rey  pups  which  were 
sold  to  the  Company  at  the  rate  of  li  dol.  50  c.  per  skin.*  Nettinj;,  how- 
ever, forms  no  jtart  of  le;'itimate  pelagic  sealing,  and  might  well  be 
altogether  i^rohibited. 

(557.  The  use  of  the  shot  gun  for  the  purpose  of  killing  seals  at  sea 
has  now  become  so  nearly  nniversal,  that  it  is  doubtful  whether  it  can 
be  changed  without  an  nndue  interference  with  the  now  established 
industry.  The  loss  of  seals  thus  shot  is,  as  already  shown,  small,  and 
there  is  therefore  no  cogent  reason  why  this  ])ractice  should  be  discon- 
tinued. All  the  evidence  shows  that  the  loss  when  seals  are  speared 
by  the  Indian  hunters  is  practically  nil,  but  to  restrict  killing  to  spear- 
ing would  necessarily  be  to  preclude  all  but  skilled  Indians  from  engag- 
ing in  it. 

058.  Any  such  regulations  api)lied  to  the  nseofs])ecially  destructive 
engines,  would  have  the  cHect,  under  the  assumed  conditions,  ol'  increas- 
ing the  aggregate  number  of  seals  which  would  exist  when  what  has 
been  referred  to  the  level  of  stability  is  reached. 


IV. — Control   and  IVIethods   of   Skaling   on   thk  Pribylofp 
Islands,  tiieiu  Nature  and  Kesult.s. 

( A. ) — Mctli o(ls  einploijcd. 

050.  The  system  adopted  for  the  legulation  and  working  of  the  Priby- 
lotf  Islands  by  the  United  States  (iovernment,  when  its  control  had 
been  established,  and  after  the  irregulai- and  excessive  killing  which  at 
lirst  followed  on  the  withdrawal  of  the  K'ussian  authorities,  was  sub- 
stantially that  which  had  gradually  been  introduced  by  the  Kussians, 
as  the  result  of  their  prolonged  experience,  but  with  one  very  important 
exception.  This  exception  related  to  the  nund)erof  seals  allowe«l  to  be 
killed  annually.  The  number  was  at  this  time  suddenly  and  very 
largely  iiu'reased,  being  in  fact  more  than  doubled,  as  is  elsewhere 
pointed  out  in  detail;  and  while  the  experience  of  many  former  years 
showed  that  the  Kussian  system,  with  a  limited  animal  killing,  might 
be  nniint'iined  with  a  reasonable  certainty  of  the  continued  well-being 
of  the  breeding  grounds,  it  had  in  fact,  according  to  the  best  available 
information,  resulted  in  a  gradual  and  nearly  steady  increase  in  number 
of  seals.  The  much  larger  number  permitted  to  be  killed  under  the 
lu^w  regulations  at  once  removed  the  new  control  into  the  region  of 
experiment. 

000.  Theoretically,  and  apart  from  this  question  of  number  and  other 
matters  incidental  to  the  actual  working  of  the  methods  employed, 
these  were  exceedingly  proper  and  well  conceived  to  insure  a  large 
continual  annual  output  of  skins  from  the  breeding  islands,  always 

*  Parliauioutaiy  Taper  [C. — 6131],  Loudon,  August  1890,  p.  356, 


RKI'OUT    OF    HKITLSH    COMMISSIONERS. 


171 


under  (lui  supposition  that  the  lessees  of  thes«  ishmds  could  have,  no 
(ronipetitors  in  tlie  Nortli  I'aeifie.  It  was  assumed  that  etpcil  or  pro\i 
niately  eipial  niMnl)eis  of  lUiiles  and  femah's  were  boin.  tliat  these  were 
siihjeet  to  equal  losses  by  death  or  aeeident,  and  that,  in  <!ous('(|ueneei 
of  the  })oly<>ainous  hal)its  of  the  fur-seals,  a  iarjje  nnnd)er  of  males  (»f 
any  j;iven  nierehiintalile  aj^e  mij;ht  he  slauithtered  each  year  without 
seriously,  or  at  all,  iiiti'rferiu}^  with  the  advantaj-eous  pi-o[)ortion  of 
males  remaining  for  l)reedin<>'  purposes. 

(i(»l.  The  existence  of  the  l>re<'din<;  rookeries  as  distinct  from  the 
luiulin;;-};rounds  of  the  younj;'  males,  or  holluschickie,  was  sui)|»osed  to 
admit,  an<l  did  in  lormei-  years  to  a  gieat  extent  admit,  of  these  youufj 
males  bein}"'  killed  witiunitdistnrliinj;  the  breedinji  animals,  Theyounj; 
seals  thus  ••hauliufj"  apart  from  the  actual  breeding:'  j;ronnds  were  sni- 
rounded  by  nativ«'s  and  dri\en  olf  to  some  convenient  i)lace, 
11//  where  nudes  of  suitable  size  wen'  clubbed  to  death,  and  fnnn 
which  the  rejected  animals  were  allowed  to  return  to  the  sea. 
The  carcasses  were  skiniH'«l  on  the  killinj;'  jir<»nnd,  the  skins  salted,  and 
at  a  later  date  bundled  in  pairs  and  shipped,  with  such  dn)>licatio:i  or 
eheckii.j;  of  count  as  mifjht  be  su])posed  to  alford  guarantees  to  the 
agi'nts  of  the  (lovernment  and  to  the  lessees  that  the  interests  of  both 
were  fairly  treated. 

(ii»2.  There  can  Ix^  no  doubt  that  if  the  innnber  jjermitted  to  be  killed 
lir.d  been  lixed  at  an  amount  so  low  as  t(»  allow  for  exceptional  and 
unavoidable  natural  causes  of  interference  with  seal  life,  ami  if  it  had 
been  rearranjicd  each  year  in  conformity  with  the  ascertained  condi- 
tions, killiu};  misjlit  have  been  continued  without  j;eneral  dannifteto  the 
seal  life  of  the  I'ribylott"  Islands,  and  very  ]»robaldy  ev<'n  with  a  con- 
tinued gradual  increase  in  nund)ers  of  seals  resortin}>'  to  the  islands  up 
to  some  unknown  nmximnm  point.  Su(di  results  mijilit  have  followed, 
uotwithstandinfi'  the  jiraetical  imi)erfe(;tion  whicdi  elearly  attached  in 
execution  to  these  theoietically  a]>[»roi)riate  nietlntds,  and  in  si)ite  of 
the  important  change  from  initural  conditions  which  any  disturbaiwe 
in  proportion  of  sexes  involved,  if  the  denmmls  made  in  the  matter  of 
annual  take  had  been  moderate;  but  when  the  inunber  tixed  for  killing 
resulted,  as  has  been  shown,  in  an  average  slaughter  of  over  !().'{, 000 
seals,  it  bore  so  large  a  proportion  to  the  entin^  number  of  aninmis 
resorting  to  the  islands  as  to  lead  necessarily  in  the  long  run  to  serious 
dinnnution.  This  decrease  continued,  on  the  whole,  in  an  incr<'asing 
rati(>,  being  due  not  only  to  the  actual  number  of  seals  slaughtered,  but 
also  to  the  nund)ers  lost  in  various  ways  incidental  to  the  methods  of 
control  and  modus  ope noidl  on  the  islands,  which  loss,  though  formerly 
a  matter  of  nunor  impoitance  (because  counted  against  a  large  innvnd 
suri»lus),  in  the  face  of  the  greatly  decreased  numbers,  became  a  very 
serious  adtiition  to  the  total  of  diminution.  In  short,  from  a  transcen- 
dental point  of  view,  the  methods  proposed  were  appropriate  and  even 
perfect,  but  in  i>ractical  execution,  and  as  judged  by  the  results  of  a 
series  of  years,  they  proved  to  be  faulty  and  injurious. 

(Hhi.  Summing  u]»  the  records  as  to  the  number  of  seals  killed  on  the 
IMibylotf  Islaiuls,  Professor  d.  A.  Allen  writes  as  follows: 

III  tliiH  year  (182'2),  it  was  ordered  that  yoiiuff  seals  should  he  spared  eaeh  year  for 
the  purpose  of  kcepiiij;  up  the  stock.  Tliis  or(l(>r  was  so  lionestly  enforced,  that  iu 
four  vears  the  jiuniher  of  seals  ou  St.  I'auTs  Island  increased  tenfold.  The  number 
annually  taken  these  years  was  only  8,(t(i0  or  10,000,  instead  of  lO.OtK)  to  50,000,  the 
miniber  formerly  killed  yearly.  Sulisequently,  the  killing  was  allowed  to  f;roatly 
increase,  which  ]>revente<l  any  aujfinentation  in  the  nuniher  of  seals.  In  ISIil,  the 
number  allowed  to  be  killed  on  St.  Paul's  Island  was  reduced  from  12,000  to  (i, 000. 
After  this  date  the  euuditiuns  of  increase  wero  mure  carefully  studied  and  more  care- 


^A 


^^^ssm 


172 


WKI'okT    OF    ISUITISH    COMMISSIONKFiS. 


I'lilly  icy;;!!  (li'd,  sii  iIimI  there  was  a  }i;railiiMl  iiiiiiieiieal  increase  t'roiii  \H',\'t  lo  18r)7, 
wlieii  the  r()(>l>eiies  arc  .■'aiil  to  havo  Iku'diiic  \ciy  nearly  as  hir^c  as  now,  tlici  natives 
1>elii;\  in;;,  however,  thai  tiicn^  lias  licen  since  the  last-mentioned  date  :i  very  K'"*'"''' 
l)Ut  Htcjuly  increase.' 

()(! 4.  l*'r(mi  tlic  experiences  thus  recorded.  i(  apitears  to  he  very  clearly 
shown  that  in  (he  a\eraj;('  ot  years  the  kiliinji-  of  K^iMHI  to  .■)(),(>(»(•  seals 
on  St.  I'aul  was  more  than  this,  liie  principal  seal  heaiiiij;"  island,  could 
stand,  while  that  |iractised  diirino.-  the  later  years  ol'  the  Russian  con- 
trol scarcely  tall  short  ol"  the  lioiire  at  which  all  continued  inciease  in 
iiuiid)er  of  seals  woidd  cease.  Since  the  operations  of  the  Alaska 
Conimercial  Company  henan,  the  number  li\i'd  for  killiii};'  on  St.  Paul 
Island  has  been  very  much  higher  than  any  of  (he  toreo(tin^' liji'ures. 
It  was  orio-inally  (ixed  at  7r),0<><>  -<>i-  St.  Panlaiid  lTnIKK)  I'or  St.  (Teorf;e 
Island,  bill  the  law  was  (dianji'ed  in  lS7t,  so  that  even  a  larger  juopor- 
tion  of  the  whole  nninber  niijiht  be  taken  on  St.  Paul's. 

6(55.  Captain  Jiryant  elsewhere  writes: 

Dnrlni;  the  adniinislration  of  this  ahle  (iovernor  ( ShiseiiekolV),  these  tinrsi>ries  of 
the  seals  ha<l  liecn  develoiied  from  almost  noliiini;'  to  the  condition  in  which  thoy 
wore  at  the  traiisCcr  of  the  islands  (o  the  I'nilcd  States.  l''or  man>'  vears  lliey  werc^ 
iihle  to  kill  only  a  small  numhcr,  hnt  the  seals  <;radiially  incroa.  .,  so  that'  thoy 
killed  as  many  as  lO.OOO  in  one  year.t 

«!(•(>.  NN'hen.  therefore,  t'ollowinj>'  the  extraordinary  slaughter  of  ISdS, 
it  became  lawful  to  kill  I(((»,()(M>  seals  each  year,  chanj;('s  of  a  veiy 
niark«'d  kind  mi^ht  have  been  exi)ected,  and,  as  elsewhere  detailed, 
they  soon  itenan  to  be  observed. 

(»(»7.  The  incidental  waste  entailed  in  taking'  the  annual  (jnotii  of  skins 
on  tlie  PribylolV  Islands  for  the  (w'uty  .ears  of  the  Alaska  Commercial 
Companv's  lease  is  acknowlcdofd  l)y  the  ollicial  lio'ures  to  have  been 
sliojitly  oroarer  than  7  jier  cent,  of  the  whole  nund)er  of  skins  secured. 
This  inclinles  skins  cut  in  skinninj;,''staji'ey'' skins  of  seals  kille(i  for  food 
when  not  merchantable,  aiid  a  number  of  younj;'  unweaned  ])nps 
11(5  killed  (it  is  now  admitted  unnecessaiily)  for  native  food.  Besides 
thi'se  thus  accounted  for,  howe 'cr,  there  is  reason  t(t  bt'Iieve  thiit 
a  larj^e  proi)ortion  of  tlu^  seals  which  had  been  subjected  to  the  very 
severe  ordeal  of  driving  never  afterwards  recovered.!  Again,  the  dis- 
turbance luoduced  by  various  causes  incidental  to  the  habitation  of 
the  islands,  (ogcther  with  that,  never  wholly  obviated,  which  arose 
directtly  from  tlie  process  of  driving  from  the  vicinity  of  the  breeding 
groumls.  led  to  various  clianges  inimical  to  the  fa\(>urable  continuation 
(»f  seal  life. 

6(iS.  Such  causes  begiin  to  ()perate  with  much  increased  force  when 
the  geiu'ral  reduction  became  so  ( onsiderable,  that  an  ever-growing 
<li(1iculty  arose  in  collecting  the  lixed  annual  (piota  of  .'■k'ns.  In  addi- 
tion, the  inctlicient  guarding  of  the  breeding  islands  f.'oin  raids  made 
iil>on  their  shores  by  marauders,  due  to  the  absence  of  methods  of  pro- 
tection ami  laxity  of  c(m(rol  of  the  natives,  became  serious  e\ils. 

(I(i!>.  Some  of  !he  more  notable  ill-etfects  which  followed  from  thi^ 
]iractical  workirg  of  the  systi^m  of  administration  adopted,  ha\  ;■  already 
been  reft-rred  to  at  sutlicient  length,  particularly  in  the  paragraphs 
(§;!!»(»  ct  .siij.)  treating  of  cliaii.n('S  in  haltits  of  the  fur  se;il,  and  those 
outlining  the  gcnerid  decrease  in  numbers  resorting  to  thi^   I'ribylolV 


Islantb 


A  few  words  mav  now  be  added,  in  greater  detail,  in  lelation 


to  the  evidence  showing  the  date  of  the  eonimencement  of  the  decrease 


'  "  Mono^iiifvli  of  North  Aiuerieaii  Plunipcds,  p.  'M'J. 

tlbid..  p.  HSIt. 

}  8ee  cspt'cially  in  thi'j  couuection  KUiott'a  Ollicial  I{cpi)rt  for  18SK). 


RKPORT    OF    JJIM'I'ISIl    COAfMISSIONKRS. 


173 


\(Ml 

ill}-- 
Idi- 
iuU'. 

tlio 
lulv 

)llS 

lose 
lolV 
tioii 


and  its  profficas,  and  tli(Mi  on  f lie  dclVcliv*' inctliods,  viewed  as  sueh, 
wldcdi  liave  been  laijicly  responsihle  for  tills  result. 

()7(>.  Statements  liave  been  made  to  tlie  eileet  tliat  durinu;  tli«i  lease  of 
tlie  Alaska  ('((inmcn  ial  ('onipany,  frauds  were  peiix'trated  in  le^ard  to 
tlu^  number  of  si-  ins  taken  on  the  islands  and  counted  for  taxation.  Ho 
direct  evidence  of  this  seems  to  have  been  i)roduc,ed.  but  as  the  ollicial 
«^ountin,n'  of  the  skins  i>oth  on  the  islands  and  in  San  {''raneiseo  was  done 
in  bundles,  each  of  which  was  supposed  to  consist  of  twct  skins,  it  is 
obvious  that  but  for  observi'd  tliifd'ence  of  size  or  wei;;ht,  three  or  even 
lour  skins  mij^lit  have  been  bundled  and  corded  to<;ether  and  counted 
as  two.  Sjx'akinfi'  of  the  mode  of  enumeratinf;'  the  skins,  lOlliott  says: 
"The  list  of  the  Treasury  Aj^'ent  on  the  islands,  when  tlu*  skins  are  first 
shipited  I  the  shipment  beinj^'  made,  as  elsewhere  slated,  in  bundlcs|,  is 
the  otiicial  indorsement  of  the  Company's  catch  foi-  the  year;  i)Ut  wlien 
the  shij)  reaches  San  !•' raneiseo,  these  skins  are  ;<\]  counted  over  anew 
|l)ut  a^ain  in  bundles]  by  another  stalf  of  (lovei.'iment  A^eiits."* 

(i7!.  J\eferrin^'  to  the  weii^ht  of  th(^  skins  and  bundles,  he  eisewhero 
writes:  "'IMie  averaijc  weight  of  a  two-year  old  skin  is  r»A  lbs.;  of  a 
three-year-old  skin,  7  lbs.;  ami  of  a  four-year-old  skin.  IL'  lbs.;  so  that 
as  the  major  port  ion  of  tin;  catch  is  two  or  three  yearolds,  these  bundles 
of  two  skins  eaeli  have  an  aveiaj;e  wei<;ht  of  from  12  to  15  lbs.  In  this 
shapes  they  p)  into  the  hold  of  tlie  Company's  steamer  at  St.  Paul,  and 
are  counted  out  froju  it  at  San  lMancisco.'"t 

(J72.  An  indei)endcnt  observer.  Lieutenant  Maynard,  in  his  icport 
written  about  tlu^  same  time,  says:  "I'inally,  they  are  prei)ared  for 
Rhi]>ment  by  rollinji'  them  into  compact  bundles,  two  skins  each,  which 
ai'c  secured  with  stout  lashings.  The  lar<;'cst  of  these  biiiidles  wei^^k 
<!4  lbs.,  but  the  averaj;e  wei;;ht  is  but  22  lbs.  The  smallest  skins,  those 
taken  from  seals  two  years  old.  weij;h  about  7  lbs.  each,  and  the  lar};est, 
from  seals  six  years  old,  about  .'<()  ll)s.''t 

(»7.'{.  The  wei<>hts  yiven  by  liieutenaiit  Maynard  for  the  skins  of  seals 
of  various  a.u'cs  are  in  eiror,  but  it  would  appear  thai  in  thus  wrilini;, 
these  weijihts  had  been  dcihu'cd  Irom  that  of  tlu^  bundles  which  he  had 
seen,  the  weifi'ht  of  which  certainly  appears  to  re(|uire  some  explanation. 

(H.) — Ih'vrcase  in  Muwh:r  of  Scalu,  its  Orifiin  and  l'ro(fns.s. 

(J74.  With  repaid  t(>  tli-'  liist  of  these  (piestious,  that  relatin.n  to  the 
decrease  of  seal  life  (  ii  the  Priliylotf  Islands,  what  has  already  been 
stated  respectinjn'  the  availabh'  estimates  of  niiiiiber  of  seals  at  differ- 
ent dates  will  lia\e  shown  tlr  t  it  is  hopeless  to  oi)iain  any  satisfactory 
ami  c(»niiected  idea  of  ihe  state  of  the  br<>edin.m'  islands  from  these 
ahnie.  It  is,  in  fact,  lar^c^ly  from  collateral  evidence,  from  fa(;ts  im;i- 
dentally  placed  on  record,  of  which  the  meaninj;'  now  iiecomes  jtlain, 
from  statements  obtained  by  oursehes  in  response  to  pers(»iial  incpiiry 
and  othei'  such  sources,  that  a  <i'eneral  history  of  the  tumdition  of  the 
I'ribylotf  islands  may  1k'  built  up. 

(i7r».  A  {gentleman  loui;' associated  with  the  Company  whose  lease  of 

the  I'ribylofl'  isiands  has  lately  termiiiale(|.  explained  the  nnittei' 

117       tons  in  brief  terms,  by  sayinj;-  that  this  (J(»mpany — "Mad  a  good 

thinji"  in  the  lease:  "They  jjot  the  cream  of  t  Ik*  t'ui- seal  business, 

and  kept  the  decrease    dark."    \Vitliont    in    any    way    indorsinj,'-   this 

statement,  or  attributinji' any  se.cli  settled  policy  to  the  Company,  it  is 

"  I'liitfd  StiitoH'  Ct'iisiis  l»('i)()i'l,  J).  lt)!t. 

t  Jliid.,  ]>.  77. 

tHuiiHO  of  KoiiroseiitiitixeH,   I  Itli  ('ciii<;I(',sh,  IhI,  ScM.sioii,  l',\.  Doc.  \o.  4!t,  j).  !). 


174 


HEPORT    OF    UKITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


m 


certain  tlmt  tlio  ])ublislM'<l  reports  did  not  by  any  means  convey  a  full 
and  correct  .stiit<'in('nt  ol' tlie  condition  of  afl'airs  and  profjress  of  events 
on  the  breedinji'  islands. 

(!70.  It  is  ayrced  on  all  hands  thatthe  I'ribyloiT"  Ishinds  were  in  excel- 
lent condition  when  linally  ceded  by  Ifnssiii.  TiuH'act  that  thc!  exces- 
sive shuifihter  of  lS(iS  did  not  lea<l  to  an  innnediate  colhipse  in  seal  life 
upon  them  is  aloiK^  sulliciimt  to  show  this.  In  a  tidk  had  with  six  of  the 
oldest  and  most  experienced  nai  ives  on  St.  Paul  Ishnid.  all  ulhrmed  that 
the  islands  had  never  since  been  so  well  stcx-ked  with  seals.  lOnterinj;- 
into  details,  they  explained  that  the  North  east  Point  was  then  com- 
])letely  occupied  by  seals  both  to  i he  north  and  south  of  Jlutchinson  Hill. 
Tolstoi  was  in  like  numner  entirely  covered,  while  the  l>eef  Peninsula 
Avas  wholly  occni)ied  by  cows  and  seacatchie  as  a  breed injjf  rookery,  and 
the  killiible  seals  found  loom  to  haul  out  only  at  its  inner  end,  on  the 
sands.  At  this  time,  ;>.(MM»  to  1. ()()(>  holluschickie  mij;iit  easily  be  col- 
lected in  a  sin<>le  drive  from  Middle  Hill,  South-west  Hay,  or  the  haul- 
in<>:  urounds  nearest  to  the  lieef  Point. 

077.  Mr.  Daniel  W  et)ster,  who  has  been  almost  continnonsly  on  the 
I'ribylofl'  Islands  since  KS(iS.  niosi  of  the  time  upon  St.  J'aul  Island. and 
whose  statements  bore  evidence  of  entire  honesty,  nave  evidence  fully 
<*orroborati\e  of  that  above  quoted.  He  expressed  himself  as  contident 
that  the  seals  were  in  jiieater  abundance  in  ISIkS  than  they  had  ever 
been  since.  In  that  year  of  unrestricted  slaughter,  some  7r).<HM)  ycuiiifif 
males  were  killed  on  North-east  Point  by  the  single  Conii)aiiy  with 
•which  he  was  connected,  and  without  exhausting  the  sujiply.  In  1S74 
and  l<S7r),  from  .'{r>,(HK>  to  oO.iKlO  skins  were  (akeii  each  year  from  the 
same  rookery  without  undue  ditVicultv.  According  to  Mr.  T'owler,  who 
has  been  faiiiiliar  with  St.  Paul  Island  since  1.S71),  "from  2!>.(K)()  to  bS.OOO 
skins  were  taken  Ikuii  North  east  Point  in  that  and  some  subsequent 
years.  IJy  theoiiicial  tigures,  it  is  shown  that  15.(i7»i  skins  were  obtained 
here  in  ISS'.t.  and  r),(K>7  in  IS'.IO.*  Mr.  I-'owlei  expressed  the  belief  th;\t 
in  1S;»I.  if  killing  had  not  been  restricted,  at  least  double  that  number 
might  have  been  secured  ar  North  east  Point. 

»i7.S.  Peturning,  however,  to  the  earlier  yeais  of  the  Alaska  ( 'oinmer- 
cial  <'omitany's  lease,  it  is  found  that  in  l.S7t  liieutenant  Maynard,  as 
the  lesult  of  his  iiKjiiiries  in  tiiat  year,  expressed  the  l>elief,  though  not 
without  n'servatiitn,  that  the  number  (»t'  seals  resorting  to  the  islands 
had  not  decreased  between  l.S72and  that  time.*  ('ai)tain  liryant  notes 
a  slight  ini))rovement  in  this  year  as  contrasted  with  the  unfavourable 
conii'tions  ol)serve<l  in  1S7.'I.+  It  was  not  till  1S7A,  how«'ver,  that  the 
annual  slaughter  recpiired  to  produce  1()(»,()00  marketable  skins  was 
lirst  ol'licially  reported  as  being  too  great  for  the  well  being  of  seal  life. 
In  this  year  ('a]itaiii  I'.ryant,  as  the  result  of  seven  years'  <'xpeiience 
of  the  islands,  wrote  on  this  matter  in  s(Mne  detail;  but,  without  (piot- 
ing  his  obser\at  ions  at  length,  it  may  be  sutlicient  to  cite  the  following, 
which  e\]tresses  his  nuiin  conclusions  : 

Wlii'ii  tlic  li'iisf  WHS  jmt  in  ])racf  iciil  ii|i('i;il  iim  in  1S7I,  tlicrc  wiis  ii  very  liir^re 
.-vct'HH  of  lirct'diiiii'  iiiiilcs  on  liiind  ;  Nimc  tlicii  tliis  Kin|)liis  liiis  ln'cn  (liminisluil  liy  llio 
(lyciij  ont  (if  dill  sell  Is  iMstt  r  t  li;iii  I  lifir  li;is  lii'cn  \  oiniuiT  sc;ils  m  II  owed  to  fs(':qii'  and 
<j;i<)\v  ii|)  to  lill  iiii'ir  plarcs,  until  the  int'scnt  stoc  Ii  iH  in-iU'licn'iit  to  imccI,  thi'  ncccH- 
M'lifSii'  tli(^  iiK  Tcasiiin  numlicr  of  lucrdini;  t'lMiialcs.. 

(»7!t.  Of  the  loll  >wing  \ear.  Pryant  says  that  "the  decrease  in  num- 
ber of  breeding  males  may  !»»■  considered  to  have  r«'ache<l  its  minimum 

"  House  of  K't'|)i'c>(Mitativi' '.  V.\     I  loi'.  .No.   l;t,   I  till  Con^lcss.  Ist  Session. 
t  "  Monoiiiajili  of  .North  .\i.('iiraii  I'inni|ii'dn.  " 

t  "  I  in  Nil!  I 'isliciics  of  AI;.sUm."  House  of  Ivpresenial  i\  es.  I'.x.  i'oc.  No.  S,'i,  44tli 
Cougii'sB,  L'nd  .Se>sion,  in>.  17ii  and  177, 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


17.-) 


[.s?('l  ill  1S7(>.  Ill  1S77,  tlic  liist  soiisoii  I  sjieiit  on  the  islnii'ls,  tlicic  w  ;is 
an  evident  inciciise  in  tlie  ninnhers  of  tiiis  class,"*  In  tlie  same  year, 
liefore  a  ('(Hiiinittee  of  ('oii^ress  on  tlie  Alaska  ('oniniereial  ('oinpaiiy. 
lie  lejieats  liis  statement  as  to  tlie  too  heavy  late  of  Uilliiiy,  sayiii};:  "1 
think  that  the  nuiiiher  of  1(K>,<»0(I  was  a  little  mot*'  than  onulit  to  liavo 
been  befj^nn  with.  1  think  if  we  had  befjnn  at  S."),(!0(),  there  would  have 
been  no  necessity  for  diiiiiiiisliiiiji.  On  the  other  hand,  I  think  that 
within  two  years  troiii  now  it  mij^lit  be  iii(;reMsed.'"t 

(ISO.  In  187<>.  a  leii^^thened  iiKjiiiry  was  made  by  a  ( 'oiiimittee  of  Con- 
press  in  K'j^'ard  to  the  ojterations  of,  and  certain  chai,ii<'S  made  against, 
the  Alaska  Comnuicial  Company.  This  Conimittei'  does  not  seem  to 
have  had  cleaily  before  it  the  fact,  that  the  actual  nnnibcr  of  seals 
killed  under  the  lease  c«-iisiderably  exceeded  lt)(>,(lO(».  but  the  view 
arrived  at  as  to  the  killin;n'  of  100,00(1  seals  annually,  included  in 
118  theofiieial  report  of  tiie  investigation  is  plainly  e\])ressed  as  fol- 
lows: "It  is  certain  that  to  kill  more  than  this  number  (100,000) 
Avould  tend  to  a  rai)id  decrease  of  the  aiimial  siijjply,  and  end  in  tlu^ 
extinction  of  the  animals  on  these  islands  loii^'  liefore  tin' expiration  of 
the  twenty  years  that  the  lease  h  A  to  run.''! 

081.  trom  1877  to  1SS7,  such  allusions  as  can  be  found  to  the  <;eneral 
condition  of  the  seals  iijxin  the  Pribylofi'  islands  in  contem]tnrarv  reports 
are  almost  uniibnnly  of  an  optimistic  character:  and  a  pe' iisal  of  these 
reports  miylit  well  lead  to  the  belief  that  a  continued  ami  satisfactory 
increase  in  number  was  in  i>ro<,^ress.  wliicli,  if  truly  rcpreseiitinj;  the 
tact«,  should  lia\e  brouuht  the  rookeries  in  this  jieriod  of  eleven  years 
into  a  state  of  uiiexam[)led  prosjieiity,  tlion;;h  the  facts  were  in  leality 
far  diil'erent. 

(>82.  The  only  reference  to  any  decline  met  with  in  these  iJe])orts — 
and  that  is  an  incidental  one — is  due  t<i  Assistant  Treasury  Ajiciit 
Wardman.  who  shows  that  there  was  a  <leciease  in  the  number  of ''kill- 
alile'' seals  on  St.  (ieor.ue  Island  in  ISS'J,  as  comitarcd  with  ISSl.  Mis 
statement  serves  to  |irov<'.  at  least,  that  the  piadical  limit  of  killables 
on  St.  (ieorjic  had  been  reached  in  iSSi,*,  at  a  iinniber  of  Lll,00(»  or  L'L'.OOO, 
and  that  the  balance  of  a  (piota  of  LM.OOO  accorded  to  that  island  iiad 
to  be  made  uj)  on  St    l^lul.^ 

(183.  Thoiii^h  not  'o  be  found  in  the  contemporary  Kejioi  ts,  the  trm^ 
history  of  these  years  (  m  now  be  very  clearly  understood,  in  a  j;eneral 
way,  as  the  result  ol  «noi'e  recent  investigations  and  of  our  own  iii(|uiries. 

(>84.  Mr.  MUiott's  ••  M(>nonrai>h"  of  the  I'ribylotf  Islands  is  based  on 
examinations  carried  out  in  187li-71,  and  his  statements  of  fact  clearly 
show  that  nearly  half  the  breediiiji'  rookeries  and  haiiliiijr  grounds  wen* 
at  this  period,  and  had  iieeii  for  at  least  ten  years  pre\ionsly.  entirely 
exempt  front  "driviiij;',"  and  therefore  constituted  reser\»'sof  seal  life, 
and  especially  of  younjjf  male  seals.     He  writes: 

As  tlic  niiittiMs  siMiiil  to-ilav,  lOd.ni"'  ^.'als  ulunc  on  Sf.  I';nil  cim  he  falvcn  iniil 
Htiiiiii<'<l  ill  lc'S,s(li:iii  foil y  wurtviiii;  dnv-  irilhiti  a  indiiis  of  Ik  milri  frutn  llir  rilluijr, 
iind  from  llic  sdlt-honsc  on  Xiiilhtiint  I'lmil  :\\  ln-nr.i'  the  (lri\in>i.  »  illi  llif  fMcjilinii  of 
t\voex]ifriim'iitMl  (liivi'H  wliicli  I  witiU'ssrd  in  IHTl.'.  Iiun  in'M-r  lici-ii  niado  iVoin  lciii;;i'r 
dislanfcs  tlian  'lolsloi  lo  tin'  (•a^sl\^■aI•d  (  wchI  ward  ),  l.iik»»rMi)n  ti)  '^lic  nortliward, 
and  Zidloi  \n  the  southward  nt'  tlic  kiliin;t  yroiuiilf^  it  St.  l'»»il  \illa<ir.«l 


uin- 
iiiiii 


ttth 


*Qiitit(d  liy  Allcii,  "  Miiniinra|ili  of  North  Anu'i'icaii  I'inniiu'dj-   '  |i.  HilO. 
tHonsi^dl'  li'(|)i'('st'ntat  ivcs,  lltli  ( 'oniiii'ss,  1st  Si's>i.iii.  |{c|iort  Ni'    •»■_'">.  p.  !I0. 
tllouscol'  Itfprcst'iitati'i  cs.  lltli  Coii^^hms.  1st  Sissioii.  Ki']>oit  No.  (i'j;f.  p    11. 
^ '' I'lir-Hcal   t'islieiii's  of  Alasiva,"  ildnm'  of  lv<'|picN('iitati\  (,'s,  uUtb  i^oiigress,  22i](l 
Ht'ssion,  lit'iiin  t  .No.  :fss:!.  p.  ;!|t. 

IITlii'  italii-y  arc  not  rinplnycd  in  tin'  orijxinal. 
%  IJiiiicd  Slates  Census  h'epoil,  p.  l,i. 


176 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


U\ 


Whatever  may  liave  been  the  detailetl  liistory  of  the  seal  interests  on 
St,  Taul  in  the  intervening  years,  tlie  fact  tliat  in  1S7!»  it  l)ec'ame  neces- 
sary for  tlie  first  time  to  extend  the  area  of  driviiij;'  so  as  to  inchulo 
Zapadnie  and  Pobivina  roolceries,  or  the  hanlinp;  {grounds  adjacent  to 
them,  sliows  conchisively  tliat  a  great  cliange  for  the  worse  liad  already 
occurred  at  tliat  date.  Tiiis  cannot  be  explained  by  any  theory  of  tlio 
mere  reduction  in  number  of  redundant  young  males,  for  even  if  it  be 
admitted  that  seals  of  this  class  \vere  to  be  found  in  excessive  numbers 
alter  the  slaughter  of  lcS(J8  (whicli  is  not  probable),  the  normal  ratio  of 
such  males  residtiiig  from  any  logically  ])ermissible  killing  should  have 
been  reached  long  before  this  time. 

GSo.  Many  years  ago,  under  tlie  Russian  regime,  a  small  native  set- 
tlement was  situated  near  the  rookery  ground  of  I'olavina,  and  seals 
were  regularly  killed  there.  Traces  of  this  old  settlement  may  still 
be  seen,  but  it  has  ])robably  been  abandoned  since  the  time  of  the 
"ZajMioska,"  or  intermission  of  killing  which  took  effect  in  1835,  at 
which  time  most  of  the  '■  natives"  were  lemoved  from  the  I'ribylotf 
Islands.  From  information  gained  on  the  islands,  it  appears  that  in  or 
about  the  year  ISTl)  the  salt-house  now  employ<'d  at  Polavina  Avas  lirst 
built,  and  that  driving  has  been  annually  practised  both  from  Polavina 
and  Zapadnie  ever  since,  but  with  much  increasing  persistency  in  later 
years, 

(ISO.  The  time  at  which  the  decrease  in  killable  seals  began  to  make 
itself  actually  apparent  in  the  acknowledged  ditlicnlty  in  obtaining  the 
aninml  (piota  of  skins  is  thus  pretty  delinitcly  fixod  by  circumstances, 
but  other  coiroborative  information  with  a  similar  meaning  is  now  not 
wanting.  Colonel  .1,  iNl array,  xVssistant  Treasury  Agent,  in  his  Ifeport 
for  1S!K).  writes:  "The  whole  truth  must,  nevertheless,  be  told,  and  that 
is.  that  the  seals  have  been  steadily  decreasing  since  ISSO,"*  Theolder 
and  more  exix'riciiced  natives,  conversed  with  on  St.  Paul  Island,  after 
describing  the  gr<'at  abundance  of  seals  at  the  tinu^  the  United  States 
first  took  i)ossession  of  the  islands.  statc<l  that  the  decrease  became 
veiy  marked  in  bSSU  or  iss;?;  arriving  at  these  dates  by  counting  back 

from  the  actual  year. 
Ill)  ()S7.  ()n«^  accessory  cause  of  the  decrease  so  plainly  shown  Jit 

this  ])articniar  time,  is  perhaps  to  be  traced  in  the  great  mor- 
tality of  young,  due  to  unfavourable  weather  in  187(>,  which  would 
naturally  be  mal  ing  itself  ai)parent  on  the  hauling  grounds  in  1S71)  or 
ISSt).     (<.  817,) 

«I88,  li  is  thus  made  evident  that  the  decrease  of  young  males,  con- 
stituting the  killi'ble  class,  had  reached  such  proportions  as  to  ham- 
per the  lessees  in  taking  their  permitted  nund)er  of  skins,  and  to  dis- 
(juiet  the  natives,  before  the  pelagic  sealing  industry  had  attained  any 
considerate  development,  and  some  years  before  it  could,  under  any 
valid  hypothesis,  he  sujijiosed  to  be  accountable  for  any  such  result. 
Although  three  or  four  schooners  were  tentatively  engaged  in  pelagic 
sealing  oil  the  coast  of  Itritisii  Oolnmbia  in  the  years  l87!>-83,  tili  the 
year  I8s;{  t  he  tieet  did  not  include  nine  schooners  in  all,  and  the  (irst 
of  these  schooners  did  not  enter  Hehring  Sea  until  1881, 

(i8!».  The  I'nited  States  sealing  licet,  in  the  corresponding  years,  was 
of  similar  small  (lim<'nsions,  and.  though  one  vessel  is  known  to  have- 
sealed  in  liehring  Sea  as  early  as  1881,  the  aggregates  i)elagic(!ateh  was, 
com])aratively  speaking,  so  snmll  in  these  years,  that  it  may  safely  be 
lelt  out  of  consiiU'iation, 


'Senate,  Ex.  Doc.  No.  Hi,  .")lnt  t'oiigrcs.s,  2n(l  Session,  p.  8. 


to  II 
tiv 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


177 


con- 

hiiin- 

l)  (lis- 

iiny 

any 

'Slllt. 

11  tho 
lirst 

L  was 

lliav<'. 

was, 

[ly  be 


ono.  Ortlu'sc  persons  qnosticniod  by  ns.  almost  all  who  ])ossoss('<l  a 
fiuiiiliaiity  with  tho  i'rihylori'  Islands,  inchuliiij;'  si'vcial  wlio  had  pre- 
viously been  eoimeeted  with  the  Alaska  >  Oiiiniercial  ('oin])any,  were, 
in  I.SUI,  found  ready  to  admit  that  in  ISs."".  and  ISSC,  the  decrease  in  the 
number  of  seals  to  b(>  found  on  the  ishinds.  and  particulaily  that  of 
killable  seals,  had  beeonn^  v<'ry  strikinu'.  it  was  not,  however,  till 
l.S.SS,  that  the  existitiji'  state  v'i  iilfairs  found  some  reeojiiiitioii  in  the 
ollieial  reports,  wlieii  Hr.  11.  11.  Melutyre,  then  afi'ent  for  the  lesse(>s  on 
the  islands,  admitted  lo  the  <.'on,iiressional  ('ommitteeon  t!ie  l''ur-seal 
Fisheries  of  Alaska  that  the  seals  had  decreased  since  1S,S2.  and  that 
it  had  become  didicidt  to  ol)tain  the  full  <piota  of  mark'.table  skins, 
There  ai'c    it  present,  in  my  opinion,  too  few  bull  seals  to 


addniii' 


r  # 


keep  the  rookeries  up  to  their  best  condition 

(i'.U.  Intheyears  bSSti.lS.ST,  and  ISSS,  the  annual  j)elii.yic  catch  in  I>eh- 
rin;:'  Sea  probably  (h'd  not  e.\cee<l  1 7, ()()<»,  bein<;'  thus  less  than  one-tifth  of 
the  slan.i;hter  ujjou  tlu'  islandM  and  even  if  it  lie  admitted,  for  tii(^  sake 
of  urjiument,  that  the  killin<>'  of  this"  nvi'uber  at  sea  was  iin)re  injurious 
than  that  of  a  like  nundter  on  shore,  sncii  alle,u('<l  injurious  elfect  I'onld 
scarcely  have  bej;uii  to  make  itself  apparent  on  the  rookeries  for  three 
oi-  four  years  after  it  took  jdace. 

(!!IL'.  The  con<litions  obtainin;;-  on  the  I'riltylotf  Islands  in  the  last 
three  years  have  been  vso  lully  referred  to  in  tlie  present  rejiort,  and  in 
various  rejxu'ts  litade  by  the  olficers  in  charge,  tiiat  they  scarcely 
recjuire  detailed  recapitulation  in  this  ]>articular  connection.  In  ISSK, 
Mr.  Vj.  J.  (Jotf  rei)orted  an  alarnunj;-  shrinkaj^c  in  the  rookeries  an(l 
hauliuf?  grounds;  and  tlion.uh  the  full  (piota  was  obtaine<l.  this  was 
only  done  by  lentitheninj;'  the  killin,in'  season  to  the  end  of  duly,  and 
j;reatly  lowerinj;^  the  standard  size  of  st-als  killed.  In  ISJMI,  bein<;'  the 
lirst  year  of  the  North  American  < 'oinmereial  (,'oinpany's  lease  of  tho 
islamls,  tln^  nund)er  to  be  killed,  in  \iew  doubtless  of  Mr.  (lolfs  [trevious 
re])ort,  which  has  not  l)een  published,  was  reduced  to  (i(),0(l().  Hut 
killinjj  was  stoj)peil  by  Mr.  (l(»lf.  in  char{>e  of  the  islamls,  at  tln^  usual 
tlate  of  the  L'Oth  duly,  at  a  time  when,  in  conseipience  of  ilui  scarcity 
of  killable  seals,  oidy  about  one-third  of  that  nund)er  had  beyn  secnred. 
In  the  same  year  Mr.  lOlliott  reexamined  the,  islamls,  an<l  thou<;h  his 
report  has  likewise  remained  unpuidished,  a  summary  of  his  eoncdu- 
sions  has  ai)peared,  from  which  citations  have  already  Iteen  made,  lie 
states  (dearly  that  the  injury  to  the  rookeries,  he  now  believes,  "set  in 
from  the  bejiinninji',  twenty  years  a.Q'o,  under  the  jiresent  s>stein."t 

(»!).'{.  In  1S!M,  the  result  of  onr  own  examinati(tns,  as  well  as  the  evi- 
deiu'e  collected  by  us  IVom  all  available  souices,  lead  us  to  btdie'e  that 
some  at  leastof  the  breedinj;'  rotdceries  are  in  a  better  condition  tl:an  in 
the  previous  year,  while  in  none  of  them  is  any  further  dcterior;;tion 
n(dieeable — a  ciii  umstance  which  fidly  Jiistilies  the  action  tai^cn  in 
restrictinji'  the  eattdi  in  lS!t(»,  and  clearly  indicates  that  the  ro(dverirs, 
however  reduced    in  miiid)ers.  possess  an   abundance  of  re<'uperalive 


I'neri'' 


yy- 


(0). — Shtnddrd   \V<  it/lits  a/'  iShiiis  inbii. 


(19-t.  Clostdy  connected  with  the  foreuoiui;  notes,  and  of  interest  ia 

showing;-  that  tho  rcijuired   nuiidn'i  (d'  yoinii,   male  seals  has  not  beni 

killed  of  laic  years  u|ion  these,  islands  without  ^vvM  detriment  to 

120       tlndr  seal  lite,  is  the  iju'l  that  llic  standard  of  weitiht  of  skins  lias 


*  Houso  of  R'iiprt'HentativcH,  r)(Uli  ('(iii^ifss,  L'lid  >i'Sf<iiin.  lv«'i>oi'l  N<».  i}.s)S3,  141    ll'i 
to  lUt. 

t  rarliaiiii'iitaiy  I'iipcr  [('.-4);i(!S],  l.oniloii,  IMU,  [1.  'tl. 

a  a,  I'T  VI 12 


178 


REPORT    OF    15KITLSH    COMMISSIONERS. 


been  fVoiii  time  to  tiiiie  IctwcrtMl  so  as  to  ciiiibli'  yomif^cr  aiiimuls  to  1)0 
taken,  and  tliat  even  many  yearlings  weie  incliKk'il  in  ISS!). 

ti'.tr).  Jn  l.S'.IO.  tlie  (loveinnient  tax  was  suddenly  raised  I'lom  1!  dol.  LT) 
c.  to  10  dol.  iT)  e.  tlie  sUin  undtT  a  new  lease,  and  it  became  at  once  no 
lonj^ei'  pvolitable  lo  take  very  snndls  kins.  It  was  in  pa  in  (•onse(iiienco 
of  tins,  and  in  i)ait  as  a  direct  res(dt  (»f  the  cm  le  ■',  sweep  of  the 
killable  seals  made  in  1S,S'.),  tlie  last  year  of  llie  eX|  ed  lease,  that  tlie 
extremely  unfavourable  showinj>'  in  IS'.IO  was  due.  <'ontinuous  killing 
had  left  very  few  youiit;  seals  to  come  forward  to  properly  killable  ajjes 
in  18!)0;  and  thus  Mr.  (i')lf  notes  thai,  of  the  seals  returning;'  to  tins 
islands  in  that  year  (besides  tho.se  a(,tually  ou  the  bleeding  rookeries), 
nearly  all  werc^  the  young  of  the  preceding  year. 

W'V),  This  lowering  of  the  standard  weig'it  of  skins  ai)[»ears  to  have 
<!oni'nenee<l  as  early  as  l.SS;>:  for,  in  18.SS,  Dr.  11,  11.  Mclntyresays:  ''In 
is.S.'i  the  sizes  decreased,  and  have  eonst;intly  decieised  ever  since. 
Last  year  they  sent  an  urgent  ai»i)eal  to  take  larni-r  skins,  as  the  sizes 
wei'e  running  down;  but  we  were  unable  to  respond,  and  during  the 
jiresent  year  the  catch  averages  still  smaller  in  size."* 

<>!>7.  From  information  obtained  from  trustworthy  sources  on  the 
Pribyloir  Islands,  it  ai)iiears  tha'  the  I'ediictioii  in  tln^  standard  weight 
of  accejtted  skins  was  well  known  and  recog;  .;ed  there  in  l.S.S(i  and 
1SS7;  and  that  Irom  liS88,  inclusive,  many  .">  lb.  skins  were  taken,  and 
all  --,  .'}-,  4-,  and  oyear-old  seals  were  account<Ml  markelable;  while  in 
188!)  about  i(l,(KI()  very  small  skins  were  taken  to  complete  the  (piota, 
averaging  probablv  about  -4  lbs.,  and  in  s<»me  cases  running  down  even 
to3Albr. 

(it(8.  Thus.  arri\  iiig  at  this  c(Miclusion  from  the  known  weight  of  skins 
of  seals  of  \aiiousages,  it  apjiears  that,  in  188!l,  even  yearling  seals 
were  kilh'd  in  large  numbers.  One  noteworthy  I'esult  of  such  killing 
re(|uires  si»e<'ial  mciilion.  /.  c,  that  in  consefiuence  of  the  recognized 
great  ditliciilty  (amounting  in  most  cases  to  absolute  impossibility)  of 
distinguisiiing  \  irgin  females  fiom  young  males  of  corresponding  size, 
it  is  (piite  certain  that  large  nuinl)ers  of  females  as  well  as  males  nuist 
Lave  fallen  under  the  club  in  these  years  of  reduced  standards,  and 
that  the  protection  Mipp(tsed  to  be  allordcd  To  females  by  the  methods 
employed  on  the  islands  was,  in  consequence,  necessarily  rendered 
largely  fictitious. 

till!*.'  K'elerring  specially  to  the  eatch  of  18!I0,  I\lr.  dolf  writes:  "There 
have  been  no  'J  year  olds  of  an  aveiag(i  size  turned  away  this  season; 
they  were  all  immediately  chiblu'd  to  swell  the  season's  eatch."'! 

7(H».  Thus,  e\'en  e\i-liiding  the  extreme  <  ase  allcrded  by  the  year  188i(, 
it  is  apparent  that  all  male  M-als  except  yci'.rli'ags  and  full  grown  sea- 
eatchie,  together  with  many  virgin  fei.ialcs.  have,  on  the  breeding 
•islands,  been  considenil  lair  gana  by  the  seahns  for  several  years  jtast, 
and,  with  this  circumst.ince  in  mind,  the  cause  of  the  dearth  of  males 
upon  the  rookeries  is  not  far  to  seek.  Net  content  with  taking  the 
yt>nng  males  at  the  ytrar.  or  within  the  period  of  twoyears  in  which  the 
skins  are  most  valuable,  tint*  killing  was  carried  back  into  the  more 
numerous  ranks  of  tiie  very  young  animals  upon  wliicli  (he  sup[dy  ot 
suitable  skins  fur  ftdiire  years  «fepeinled,  wlnle,  at  the  same  time,  other 
mmh's,  which  had  c-<ca)ie(l  previous  slaughter,  and  liecome  too  old  to 
■"'"■'  '  '  ■     "         '  to  take  (hen    olaccs  upon  the 


UMl 


Ixreeding  jmmnds,  but  were  also  killed  to  increase  the  eatch. 


F 11 1- soil  1   F 


'vU'.s  of  .MmhIv 


)orl  .N(t.  ;WS:i.  1).   I  If 


if  Iv.'l 


iii-rMtati\  1^,  ,jOth  (.'uiiurcss,  2iid 


tSciiati',  Kk.  lliic,  No.   t!',  fiU    Coii^ifsw,  L'ud  Sosniou.  u.  o. 


tlu- 


eig'lit 


killing' 
iiizt'd 
ty)  of 

si /A', 

must 
.  ami 

tlK»tls 

lueix'd 

'There 
';»s<m; 

u'lSSO, 
All  sea- 
ceding 
I's  jiast, 
males 
mg  the 
lich  the 
le  more 
il»l»ly  ot 
,  other 
M  old  to 
ion  the 


;irSS, 


2lHi 


Ki:i'(JUT    OF    HKITISII    CO-M.MISSIONKKS. 


171) 


7(U.  The  (acts  above  cited  all'ord  a  connected  train  of  evidence,  show- 
ing the  gradual  reduction  i*.nd  deterioration  in  condition  of  seal-life  npon 
tlie  rrihyiotV  Islands,  altogetiier  apart  from  the  estimates  of  the  total 
uiimber  of  seals  made  at  various  rimes,  and  as  we  lielie\'e  of  a  more 
trnstworthy  character  than  these. 

7()L'.  As  to  the  (•omi)arative  eondition.s  in  the  ycar.s  1S!)<»  or  ISKl  with 
that  of  the  early  yeais  of  the  I'nited  States'  contr(»l  of  the  islands,  no 
accurate  information  can  be  given.  The  result  of  our  investigations  and 
.study  of  the  subject  in  all  its  bearings  leads  us,  however,  to  l)elieve  that 
the  aggregate  numbers  given  for  these  earlier  years  have  been  greatly 
in  ex<'essof  the  facts,  and  that  wliiU'.  the  latest  estimates  published  may 
not  be  too  small,  the  total  amount  of  shrinkage  has  been  very  greatly 
exaggerated  by  means  of  (-omparisons  instituted  l)ct\veen  these  and  tlio 
excessive  estimates  of  earlier  times.  IJecanse  of  this  want  of  triisi- 
worthiness  in  the  first  estimates,  therefore.  ;iny  present  estimates  of  a 
general  character,  howe\  «'r  carefully  made,  and  though  interesting  in 
themselves,  cannot  be  accepted  as  crita-in  of  value  in  relation  to  the 
<luestioii  of  the  acln:il  iimoiiiit  of  decrease. 

703.  The  ease  with  which  lictitioiis  rejiorts  uiJiy  be  built  up  on  iniper- 
tect  or  ill-considered  c,v  parU  evidence  is  illustrated  by  a  remark  made 

by  lOlliott,  who  writes:  '•  I  noticed  in  this  connection  a  very  (pu'cr 
iL'l       similarity  between  the  sealers  on  St.  I'aul  and  our  farmers  at 

home;  tliey,  just  as  the  season  opens,  invariably  prophesy  a  bad 
year  for  seals  and  a,  scant  supply;  then,  when  the  si-ason  chtses,  they 
"vvill  gravely  tell  you  that  there  never  were  so  many  seals  on  the  island 
before.  I  was  greeted  in  this  manner  by  the  agents  of  the  Company 
and  tiie  (loveriiment  in  lS7l',  again  in  l.S7.">.  and  again  in  1874.  1  did 
not  get  up  to  the  grounds  in  l.S7(!  soon  enough  to  hear  the  usual  spring 
crooking  of  disaster;  but  arrived,  however,  in  time  to  hear  the  regular 
cry  of,  'Nevei  was  so  many  seals  here  beforel'"* 

(I).) — Drivhtf/  of  Seals. 

704.  One  of  the  most  important  points  connected  with  the  method  of 
taking  fur  seals  on  the  I'ribylotf  Islands,  is  fliatof  the  driving  from  the 
vaiions  hauling  grounds  to  the  killing  grounds.  However  safeguarded 
or  regulated,  tlie  method  of  driving  fur-seals  overland  for  consideral)le 
distances  must  be  both  a  <'iuel  and  destructive  one.  Active  and  gra(;e  fill 
as  a  lisli  in  the  water,  the  fur  seal  is  at  best  clumsy  and  awkward  in  its 
movements  on  land,  and  though  it  is  surprising  to  not(^  at  how  good  a 
l»ace  it  can,  when  forced  to  do  so,  travel  among  the  rocks  or  over  the 
sand,  it  is  also  (piite  evident  that  tliis  is  dom^  at  the  exiiense  only  (d' 
great  effort  and  iniieii  \  ital  activity,  as  well  as  at  serious  risk  of  jihysical 
injury.  A  short  slml'lliiig  run  is  succeeded  by  aiieriod  of  rest,  and  wiien 
undisturbed,  all  movements  on  shore  are  carried  out  with  the  utmost 
delil»eratioii  and  freipient  stoppag<'s.  IJut  when  a  herd  <»f  seals,  iialf 
cra/.ed  with  flight,  is  driven  for  a  distance  of  a  mile  or  more  from  the 
hauling  ground  to  sonl(^  killing  i»lace.  already  pestilential  with  the 
decaying  carcasses  of  seals  I'.reviously  killed,  it  unavoidably,  and  how- 
ever freipieiitly  tlicanimais  may  beallowed  to  rest.entailsmiich  siilVering. 
When  the  weather  is  at  all  warm,  or  when  tlu^  seals  are  ]U'essed  iu 
driving.  indi\idiials  fre(|iientl\  drop  out  and  die  (d' exhaustion. others 
again  are  smothered  by  the  crowding  together  of  the  iVii^iitened  herd, 
und  it  is  not  infieinient  to  liiid  sonn"  severely  wounded  l)y  bites  ruth- 
lessly inllicted  by  their  companions  when   iu  a  high  state  of  nervoua 

*  Uuitcd  feliiti-s  Couaiis  Kepuit,  p.  105. 


180 


KKI'OUT    OF    lUMTISIl    COMMISSIONERS. 


tonsioii.  It  appciir.s  also,  lioiii  inlnrinatioii  obtaincMl  on  this  subjoot, 
lliat  ill  wiiiiii  wi'iitlK'i-  seals,  (luiiiin-  a  drive,  occiisioiially  pass  into  a 
state  of  violent  spasmodic  activity,  whicli  is  aiiidessly  maintained  till 
death  ensin^s.  rndersuch  circumstances,  drives  have  not  iiU'nMiuently 
ha<l  to  b«^  al)andoned. 

70.").  On  St.  I'aiil  Island,  the  lunuest  drives  now  ])ractised  are  thoso 
from  Pdhivina  to  the  vicinity  of  the  salt  iionse  near  IJocUy  Point,  and 
from  Tolstoi  to  tin;  vilhige  killing'  <;ronnds.  Thesis  are  al»oiit  e(|nal  in 
lentith.  and  each  not  much  less  than  two  miles.  On  St.  (lcurf;e.  the 
lonj;est  drives  are  from  the  (Ireal  Eastern  Rookery  and  from  Starry 
Arteel  ilookery  to  the  \illaji'e  killinf>:  .yronnds,  eacli  beinj;'  about  tiirey 
.miles  in  Iciijith.  tin*  time  ()ccui)ied  in  dri\in^'  bcinji'  from  four  to  six 
hours,  accordiniu'  to  tiui  weatiier.  Under  the  Kus.sian  rc/^ime  nnich 
lon.ner  drives  were  made,  and  in  the  curtailment  of  these  a  very  con- 
siderable imi>rovcinent  has  been  effected,  but  the  esseatially  injurious 
features  of  the  drive  remain  the  sann*. 

70(>.  On  lieiiiinii:  Island,  of  the  Comnmnder  f;roup,  the  drives  are 
short,  the  lonj;est  beinj:'  about  one  and  a  iialf  miles,  from  the  South 
Kookery.  On  Copper  Island,  on  the  contrary,  the  drives  generally 
extend  across  the  island,  and  are  from  three  to  four  ndles  lonji:,  very 
roujiii,  and  crossinj;'  one  or  more  intervening^'  steep  ridges.  These 
drives  must  be  much  more  trying;'  to  the  seals  than  any  now  nnule 
npon  the  I'ribylotf  Islands,  and  are,  in  fact,  oidy  rendered  possible  by 
extreme  caution  on  tiie  i)art  of  the  drivers,  and  by  the  expenditure  of 
much  time. 

707.  If  it  were  i)Ossible  to  drive  only  those  seals  which  it  is  intended 
to  kill,  litrh^  exception  could  be  taken  to  the  method  of  driving;  in  the 
absem-e  of  any  better  method,  but  the  min^Iinj^'  of  seals  of  varied  a<ies 
npon  the  hauiinn'  jurounds  IVom  which  tlu>  di  ives  are  taken,  even  under 
the  ori<;inal  and  more  favourable  conditions  of  foiiner  years,  renders  it 
necessary  to  drive  to  the  killing'  i)lace  many  seals  eitiier  too  youn.i;'  or 
too  old  to  be  kiUed.  It  is  sonu'times  p(»ssible  to '' cut  out"  from  the 
drives  many  of  these  unnecessary  individuals  en  route,  and  yreat  care 
is  exercised  in  this  respect  on  the  Commander  Islands,  though  little 
appears  to  have  been  jnactised  on  tiie  rril)ylol1'  Islands. 

70S.  It  admits  of  no  dispute  that  a  very  considei'able  impairment  of 
the  vital  enei'fiy  of  seal ;  thus  dri\en,  and  eventually  turned  away  from 
the  killiiii;-  lirounds,  occurs,  altogether  apart  from  the  certainty  that  a 
]»roportion  of  such  seals  receive  actual  pliysical  injuiiesof  onci  kind  or 
anotlier,  but  this  appeared  to  have  been  reeoj;nized  on  the  Pribylolf 
Islands  only  within  tiie  past  two  or  three  years.  The  cireumstanee 
wliich  has  called  particular  attention  to  tliis  source  of  injury  to 
IL'U  seal  liie  is  the  jireatly  increased  proportion  of  inelij^ible  seals 
whi(di  have  now  to  be  driven  up  in  coin])any  with  the  diminish- 
inj4'  quota  of  •' killables."  It  is  unnecessary  to  (iuot(i  authorities  at 
leiiji'th  on  this  subject,  but  a.  single  citation  from  Mv.  (lolfs  Report  of 
ISUO  will  be  sullicient  to  show  its  general  eharaeter.     Mr.  Golf  writes: 

Wc^  (i|ictii'(l  the  sciisiiii  by  n  (lriv<'  iVoiii  IJiM'-f  rookery,  and  tiinii'd  awji  ,•  ovjiv  Sli.V  \wr 
cciif.  wlifii  we  should  li.ivc  turned  iiwiiy  about  15  ]ier  cent,  ot"  tlie  seals  dineii,  and 
wc  closed  tli(^  HeascMi  liy  Ininiui''  away  SI!  jier  cent.,  a  tact  which  |iro\  es  to  i;vory 
iuipaitial  mind  that  W(!  wiue  redri\  ins;'  the  yearliujjjs.  and  (•onsiderin;;' the  iiuird'cr 
ot'  sivius  o1)tained.  t  hat  it  was  iniiiossibic  to  seeiue  1  lie  number  allowed  by  tlic  !eas(\ 
tlia.t.  wc  were  merely  tortnriiit;-  the  youiii;  seals,  injuriiiii-  tlie  (iiture  lil'e  and  vitality 
o(  the  brcL'dinji;  rookeries,  to  the  detriment  of  the  lessees,  natives  ami  Ooverninei.t.* 

70!>.  In  other  words,  many  of  tla^  seals  turiuMl  from  the  killing  gi'Dimd 
on  one  occasion,  return  e\entuaily  to  the  luuding-oroiinds,  and  may 

'Senate,  Ex.  iJoc.  iSo.  I'J,  r)lst  Con<>ro88,  2iid  fcjessiou,  p.  4. 


RErOK'T    OK    ISUITISII    COMMISSIONEUS. 


1st 


lat  a 
1(1  or 
h.lf 
tiuice 
■y  to 
seals 
iiiisli- 

'S    ilt 

)rt  of 

•itcs: 

<3.V  i>cv 
11,  anil 

llll.'l'i'V 

lease, 
itHlity 
iiien.t.* 

inmul 
may 


tlms  lie  di'ivi'ii  ami   rctlrivcii  tlirou.ulioiit  the  ciitiro  killin.u-  season,  it" 
tliey  (io  not  nu-aMwiiilc  siicciiiiil)  under  the  strain. 

710.  Owinji' to  tlie  *esti  ictioii  imiiDsed  on  flie  killing- of  scitls  in  1S!I1, 
AV(!  were  ourselves  able  to  witness  tlie  elleet  of  two  small  drives  only, 
one  on  St.  (ireor<;'e,  tlie  otliei-  on  St.  Paul.  r>ot!i  tliesodrives  wereiniulo 
from  tlie  j>ioiinds  nearest  to  tin-  villa<;('  killin,i;'  places,  niid  were  there- 
fore short.  The  weather  was  favourably  cool,  and  the  actual  driving 
fi'oni  the  roidceries  to  the  vicinity  of  the  killiiiii'  uroiiiid  was  accomplished 
with  all  reipiisite  care  and  deliberation.  Notwithstandin<>tliis,  theseals 
Avere  in  both  cases  e\  ideiitly  very  niiicli  exhausted  and  comi>leteIy  wit- 
less from  fear,  'i'ho  animals  let  j^o  from  the  killiii<;'<ironnds  at  St.  (ieor.ye 
set  out,  when  released,  in  small  f^roups  towaids  the  sliore.  not  far  olf, 
but  from  weakness  were  unabhi  to  <^o  more  than  a  few  yards  at  a  time; 
while  some  of  tla-m.  notwithstandinji'  tlieir  terror.  Avere  unable  to  keep 
up  Avith  the  rest,  ami  simjily  lay  helidess  upon  the  uroniid.  On  draw- 
in*;'  the  atteutiiui  of  one  of  the  u'entlemen  su])eii!itendin,ii' the  killinj;'  to 
this,  he  remarked  that  it  was  nothini;'  nniisnal,  that,  in  fact,  they  not 
iiifreipu'iitly  remained  thus  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  killinj;' 
ji'i'ound  for  several  days  befoi-e  recover iiii;-. 

711.  Much  the  same  obseiA'ations  Avere  made  in  the  case  of  a  drive 
on  St.  Paul  Island,  but  it  was  noticed  here  that  100  or  200  of  those  set 
free,  after  slowly  makiiiti'  their  way  for  oOO  or  000  feet,  remained  in  an 
exhausted  condition  upon  the  inrassy  bank  o\erlookinj;  the  northern 
end  of  /oltoi  sands,  and,  on  the  e\eniii,ii'  of  the  following  day,  many  of 
them  were  still  lyinji'  toycther  at  the  same  iilace  without  liaviii,u-  made 
any  eilbrt  to  reach  the  sea.  which  was  not  over  200  feet  distant, 

712.  Incidental  jiroof  of  the  disastrous  effects  of  driving'  may  be  seen 
along"  any  of  the  routes  ordinarily  taken  in  the  sij;iiiticant  freqiiency  of 
skeletons  and  bones  around  each  roujili  and  rocky  place  that  has  to  be 
])a.ssed  over  in  the  eourse  of  the  dri\e.  It  is  of  course  dillicult.  if  not 
impossible,  to  say  with  certainty  in  indixidiial  cases,  to  what  extent  this 
ordeal  of  driviny;  may  ])rove  jiermanently  detrimental  to  tiie  animals 
driven.  It  may,  however.  b(^  worth  noting  that  Veniaminov,  as  loiij; 
a.t;'o  as  18-12.  quoted  the  natives  as  authority  for  the  statement  that  the 
seals  thus  spared  ''ar<'  truly  of  little  use  for  breediii;^'.  lyin^y  about  as  if 
outcasts  or  disfranchised.'"* 

71.">.  Elliott,  in  his  imblished  summary  of  his  investiyatioii  on  the 
islands  in  ISIJO,  gives  \arious  reasons  for  arriving  at  a  similar  belief,  and 
sums  these  up  as  follows: 

TlitTcforc.  it  now  iijijicars  )iliiiii  Io  nio  t  lint  these  yoiiii;^  fiir-senls  wliieli  may  liai)|i('Ti 
to  survive  this  teiiilile  st  rain  .il'  sevc  ii  years  ot'  driviiiu'  overland  are  rendered  hy  iliis 
net  of  driving;;  wholly  wortliless  lor  lireedinij  )iiii]ioses;  they  never  jio  to  the  hieed- 
iiij^- iri'dniids  and  tak(!  lip  stations  there.  heiiiL:  wlioily  deinorali/ed  in  spiril  and  in 
hody.  With  this  knowledge,  then,  the  lull  el'i'eei  ol'  the  drisinj;-  lieoonies  a|i]>arent, 
and  that  resnlt  of  slowly  hnf  siirels  idldiinii  the  rookeries  cd' a  full  and  snstaini'd 
sn)ii>ly  ol"  fresh  yonny;  male  blood  deinainled  liy  nature  iiniieiatively  for  their  snpiiort 
lip  to  the  standard  of  fnll  ex]iansion.  t 

Captain  Laveiuler,  Assistant  Treasury  Agent,  in  his  IJejiort  for  the 
same  year,  and  speaking  particiilaily  of  St.  (leorge  Island,  adopts  a  sim- 
ilar view  on  the  matter,  saying: 

All  the  inalo  seals  driven  should  he  killed,  as  it  is  my  ojiinion  that  not  over  one- 
half  ever  go  back  upon  the  rookeries  ajraiii.  i 

714.  Mr.  Elliott,  in  the  publication  which  has  Just  lieen  (pioted,  further 


'Translation  hy  l'".lliott.  in  United  Slates  Census  1,'eport,  p.  111. 
1 1'arliamentarv  I'iiper  [C— 0;iUXj,  Jiinc  Ib'JL,  j).  57. 
tlhid,,plil. 


1S2 


RKPORT    OF    imiTISH    COMMISSIONERS, 


siuiiinaiizos  liis  idciis  as  to  tlio  ciiiiscs  of  tlic  prosciit  lodnoed  condition 
of  l'iil)\  lott'  l>Iiiii(l  Kiokciics  in  tlic  two  followiiij;'  inna^iiiplis: 

1.  From  ovcr-ilriviri;;  -witlKiiit  lii'cdiiii^  itH  wiiiiiiiii^  lir.st  Ix'ifim  in  1H7!>,  <lr()))i><'<l 
tlicii  until   IMML',  tlicii  siiddc'iily  icimwcd  auaiii  with  incrrasi'il  cncriiy  I'roiii  year  to 

yciir.  until  I  lie  end  is  aliruptly  roaclicd  this  Hoiison  of  ls!t(). 
lL'15  -'.   I'lDni  the  slidotin;;  (d' I'lii-spalH  (cliielly  ffinaU'si  in  tlm  ojtcn  waters  ot'tlio 

North  I'ariiii'  Ocean  and  liehrin^  Sea  hcf^un  as  a  Imsincss  in  IS.'^ti,  and  eou- 
tiniM'il  to  date.* 

715.  It  will  l)('  ohscivcd,  liowovrr,  tliiit,  ovon  accord inj;'  to  this  state- 
iiKMit,  the  ovci'di'ix  iii<;'  l)c<;aii,  in  coiiso(]iiciicc  ol'  marked  diiiiiiiiitioiii 
sonic  seven  years  Itclorc  it  is  alleged  that  i)ela;;ic  scaliii"'  ''hc^an  as  a 
business." 

71(5.  As  alrciuly  indicated,  all  the  evils  incident  to  'drivin"'  in  any 
I'orni  hecann'  j-ieatly  intensilied  when,  with  a  diminished  niiinhei'  of  kill- 
able  seals,  the  attem])t  Is  still  continued  to  obtain  a  larji'e  ycai'ly  num- 
ber of  skins.  This  occurs  not  only  because  of  (he  drivinj;'  and  redriving" 
above  rel'errcd  to,  but  also  in  conseijuence  of  the  fact,  that  under  such 
<'ircumstances  tlie  remainiii}?  killables  lie  very  close  to  the  breediu}; 
rookeries,  so  tliat  it  is  no  longer  ))ossil)le  to  make  drives  without  dis- 
turbing the  rookeries  themselves.  Thus,  it  lias  occurred  that,  in  late 
years,  considerable  and  increasing  numbers  of  breeding  fcnniles  have 
been  driven  to  the  killing  grounds  with  the  killables,  though  when 
recognized  there  in  the  process  of  selecting  for  killing,  they  have  been 
released.  The  probable  sjiecial  effect  of  such  treatment  of  females,  as 
Avell  i's  the  fact  that  in  the  disturbances  caused  upon  the  breeding  rook- 
cries,  a  certain  niiml)er  of  the  young  are  almost  certain  to  be  killed, 
have  been  already  noted. 

717.  ISpeaking  of  the  years  1S72-74,  and  in  connection  with  the  driv- 
ing of  seals,  even  at  that  time,  Elliott  makes  the  following  remiirks: 
"  It  is  (|uitc  impossible,  however,  to  get  them  all  of  one  age  without  an 
extraordinary  amount  of  stir  and  bustle,  wliich  the  Aleuts  do  not  like 
to  preiMpitate;  hence  the  drive  will  be  found  to  cousistusually  of  abare 
majority  of  thrcM'-  and  four-year-olds,  the  rest  being  two  ye;ir-olds  prin- 
cii>ally,  and  a  very  few,  at  wide  intervals,  live-year  olds,  the  yearling 
seldom  ever  getting  mixed  np."t 

71.S.  Ifefening  jiarl  iciilarly  to  his  exiierience  in  l.S(J9,  Captain  Bryant 
writes:  "At  the  close  of  this  period  the  great  body  of  yearling  seals 
arrive.  These,  mixing  with  the  younger  class  of  males,  spread  over 
the  u])laiids  and  greatly  increases  the  pro])ortion  of  i)rime  skins,  but 
also  greatly  increase  the  dilliculty  of  killing  jiroperly.  Up  to  this  time, 
there  having  been  no  females  with  the  seals  driven  n\)  for  killing,  it  was 
only  necessary  to  distinguish  ages;  this  the  difference  in  size  enables 
them  to  do  vei-y  easily.  Now,  however,  nearly  < me  half  are  females,  and 
the  slight  ditference  between  these  and  the  youiig<'r  males  rendeis  it 
necessary  for  the  head  man  to  see  every  seal  killed,  and  only  a  strong 
interest  in  the  iireservation  of  the  stock  can  insure  the  proper  ertre."|: 

71!t.  The  meaning  of  these  remarks  and  their  bearing  on  the  possi- 
bility of  restricting  the  killing  on  the  islands  to  males,  becomes  clear 
when  it  is  remembered  tiiat  the  external  genital  oi'gans  of  the  male  do 
not  becojue  distinctly  obvious  till  about  the  third  year  of  its  age, §  and 
particularly  so  when  it  is  remembered  that  even  as  long' ago  as  1872-74 


*l'arlianientary  I'ai.cr  [(.'.— (iliCiS),  .Inne  l><ni,  p.  oO. 
tt'nitt'd  States  Census  I{e[)ort,  ]).  71'. 
t'-l!u!l.  Mu8.  Conip.  Zoo!., "  vol.  ii,  I'art  I,  )).  lit:"..  _ 
^"Fishery  Industries  of  the  United  States,''  vol.  i,  p. 


108. 


T?K1'()KT    OF    15KlT[Sir    COlNrMISSIONKRS. 


1.S3 


the  "iii!ijni'  portion  of  the  catcli"  ('(iiisistcd  ol'  two  iiiid  tliioc  yearold 
seals,*  wliilc  at  otlKT  times  even  yc;iiiiii.i;s  lia\«'  Ix-eii  i^ilied, 

7l'0.  In  iiddition  to  tlic  injury  caused  l»y  tiie  jjliysical  strain  of  driv- 
inji',  its  prohaide  effect  on  tlx^  mental  or^ani/ation  of  a  naturally  timid 
and  somewliat  intelli<;ent  animal  like  tlie  fur-seal  must  be  j;reat.  The 
killing;  ;;rounds  tliemselv<'s  are  always  strewn  with  the  carcasses  of  for- 
mer victims  in  various  staji'cs  of  decomposition,  and  even  in  the  snnill 
drive  witnessed  hy  us  on  St.  (leorfi'e  Island,  the  \  arions  "pods"  of  seals, 
including  both  those  turned  away  and  those  killed,  \\  ere  actually  diiveii 
over  ami  amonj;'  luimbers  of  putrid  bodies,  by  which  the  whole  atmos- 
l>here  in  the  vicinity  was  infected.  It  is  believed,  in  fact,  that  this 
special  feature  ol  the  drivinji'  is  responsildi^  to  a  larj^e  extent  for  the 
increasing  disinclination  of  the  seals  to  remain  upon  the  breeding 
islands,  anew  l)ut  not  unnatural  tcndeucy  s|)ecially  noticed  and  re])ortcd 
on  in  regard  to  theCoiumander  Islands,  and  evidently  still  further  oper- 
ative on  tlur  I'ribylotf  Islands. 

721.  Reviewing,  then,  the  sul)ject  of  driving  as  a  whole,  and  without 
laying  stress  on  the  more  extreme  statements  which  have  been  unnle  as 
to  its  deleterious  effects,  it  is  (piite  evident  that  even  if  a  small  meas- 
ure of  the  injury  letcrred  to  this  cause  actually  happens,  the  proportion 
of  loss  of  seals  to  the  whole  number  of  skins  obtained  on  the  I'ribylotf 
Islands,  due  to  this  one  cause,  must  very  considerably  add  to  the  waste 
of  about  7  per  <ent.,  which  is  admitted  by  the  ollicial  ligures.  'JMio 
aggregate  loss  incurred  is  thus  the  result  of  various  causes,  which 
together  involve  tlu!  killing  of  many  seals  which  ought  not  to  l>e  killed, 
and  it  is  evident  that  the  methods  of  dii\  ing  and  killing  on  the  I'riby- 
lotf Islands,  as  now  practised,  are  susceptible  of  very  great  improve- 
ment. 


124 


(E.) — Prolcctlon  of  R(K)k(  rirs  from    Dixturhanvc. 


722.  Reverting  to  the  g<'iieral  ipu'stion  of  the  management  of  the 
seal  industry  of  the  Pril)ylolf  Islands,  it  is  conceded  by  every  one  that 
the  most  important  single  matter  is  the  safeguarding  of  the  breeding 
rookeries  from  disturbance  of  all  kinds,  (lenerally  speaking,  the  sys- 
tem adoi)ted  on  the  isliindti  has  this  end  in  view,  but  in  addition  to  the 
s])ecitic  disturbance  caused  in  the  ways  alri'ady  mentioned,  other  and 
uncalled  for  elfects  of  the  sanu>  kind  lia\e  been  and  are  i)roduced  in 
consequence  of  a  certain  want  of  dis<'ii)liueand  vigilance.  Chief  among 
these  is  the  raiding  upon  the  shores  of  tln^  islands,  which  might  ami 
should  be  stopjx'd  by  ellicient  ])rotection.  This  is  referred  to  at  greater 
length  below.  Some  of  the  means  adopted  in  the  government  and 
])reservation  of  the  ('(tmmauder  Islands  have  already  been  alluded  to, 
and  nothing  is  more  obvious  to  any  one  comi»aring  the  conditions  on 
the  Priliylolf  and  Commander  Islands  than  the  greater  <'fliciency  of  the 
general  control  of  the  latter.  This  is  particularly  notai)le  in  the  su[)e- 
rior  discipline  maintained  among  the  nativi^s,  who,  as  a  direct  corollary 
of  tlieir  favoured  ])osition  as  jiarticipants  in  the  pi'oceedsof  the  islaiuls, 
are  understood  to  be  entirely  at  the  seivice  and  under  the  orders  of  the 
Superintendent  on  the  islands.  The  ap])earance  of  vessels  in  the  ofting 
is  reported  to  head-(iuarters  with  the  utmost  pr(»m])titiHle,  as  noted  in 
the  ease  of  our  own  arrival  both  on  Copper  and  JJelii-ing  Islands.  The 
seals  are  more  carefully  assiirlc([  betore  being  driven  to  the  killing 
grounds  than  on  the  I'ribylotf  Islands,  and  the  killing  of  young  seals 

*  Uuitod  .States  CeuauH  Report,  p.  77. 


^4 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


<K'^^ 


^ 


184 


REPORT    OF    BltlTISM    COMMISSIONERS. 


for  native  food  has  l)e<ui  proliibited  now  for  sevonteon  years.  A  fine 
of  100  roul)l»'s  is  exacted  in  tliecraso  of  each  female  acxudentally  killed, 
witli  otlier  sncli  sinnhir  )»n!cautions.  Tiie  methods  taiien  to  prevent 
the  distmbiiuee  of  seiils  upon  the  rookeries  by  smoke  have  already 
been  alluded  to. 

(F.) — Native  Interests  on  the  TsJantU. 


ill 


723.  The  condition  of  the  Aleuts  of  the  Pribyloff  Islands  has  undoubt- 
edly been  nuK  h  improved  by  tlieirc()nnection  with  the  sealing  industry, 
but  it  is  dillicult  to  sec  on  what  j^rounds  the  spc<'ial  advantay:es  of  a 
material  kind  alfordjul  to  these  junticular  ])C()])le  as  distiufjuished  from 
others  of  the  sunu'.  race,  and  partly  at  the  «^\pense  of  interference  with 
the  rifihts  of  huntinj;'  of  tiiosc  inhabiting  the  Aleutian  Isl  nds,  can  be 
advanced  as  a  valid  argument  in  favour  of  the  peri)etuation  of  a  com- 
mercial monopoly  of  fur-scaling.  The  Aleuts  on  the  I'ribylotf  Islands 
an^  not  natives  of  these  islands  in  any  true  sense,  but  were  brought 
thither  by  the  Kussians  for  their  own  convenience,  and  to  attbrd  the 
labour  necessary  lor  scaling.  The  actual  ciicnmstances  of  their  exist- 
ence on  the  islands  are  unfiivourable  to  their  vitality,  as  evidenced  by 
the  fact  that  the  death  rate  is  higher  than  the  birtli  rate,  so  that  if 
additions  had  not  been  nnule  fi<»m  <^ime  to  time  from  the  Aleutian 
Islands,  in  conformity  with  the  retiuirements  of  tin;  lessees,  the  number 
now  reniiiining  would  be  insignificant.  These  ])eople  are,  moreover, 
now  in  the  miij«uity  of  cases  halfbreeds,  with  often  a  notable  i)re- 
])onderance  of  "while  blood.''  As  it  is,  tlie  entire  ])oi)ulation  of  the 
I'ribylotf  Islands,  according  to  the-  Census  of  ISJIO,  amounts  to  but  .'i(>.'i 
])ersons.  and  liierefore  the  (|ueslion  of  llieir  disposition  and  maintenance 
cannot  hv  regarded  as  a  veiy  embarrassing  one,  oi"  oiu^  which  should  be 
allowed  to  enter  seriously  into  discussions  as  to  the  means  approi)riate 
for  the  preservation  of  the  fur-seal,  or  into  the  important  questions 
connected  therewith. 

Tl\.  It  is  also  clear  that  the  s(»-<;allcd  natives  of  the  islands,  though 
under  ordinary  ciri'iimstances  provided  for  in  certain  respects  by  tiie 
lessees  aiu-oiding  to  legal  arrangement,  hav»'  in  past  times  not  always 
been  among  the  lirst  objects  of  their  solicitude.  Many  allegations  as 
to  the  ill  treatment  of  the  natives  are  to  be  found  in  the  Congressional 
IJeports  on  the  Alaska  Commercial  ('ompany  and  on  the  l''ur-seal  Fish- 
eries of  Alaska,  wiiile  a  general  indictment  of  the  treatment  of  the 
natives  by  the  Company  by  A.  I*.  Swineford,  (lovernor  of  Alsiska,  is 
made  so  lately  as  in  his  Report  tor  the  year  l.S,S7.* 

725.  A  single  instance,  to  which  it  happent^d  that  our  attention  was 
drawn,  may  i»e  cited  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  the  natives,  even 
in  recent  years,  n^'cived  no  more  than  strictly  "commercial"  treat- 
ment. This  refcis  to  the  allowance  of  coal  mad(^  to  them.  The  fuel 
to  be  obtained  on  the  islands  is  confined  to  small  <|uantities  of  drift- 
wood, supplemented  by  seal  blubber,  or  oil  from  seals  or  sea-lions,  and 
naturally  jjroves  insntVicient  for  the  i'e(piiiements  of  a  long  and  inclem- 
ent winter.  It  was  therefore  stipulated  in  the  original  lease  that 
sixty  cords  of  lire  wood  should  be  furnished  annuall,\  for  the  natives 
on  the  tw<>  islands.  Vox-  this,  (10  tons  of  coal  was  afterwards  substi- 
tuted, and  the  annual  allowance  for  St.  Paul  Island  was  llxed  at 
125  4()  tons.  The  supply  thus  furnished,  being  at  the  rate  of  about 
1  ton  per  family  each  year,  was  naturally,  and  even  with  such 


I'ajjo  31,  et  seq. 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


185 


m  was 
[,  even 
treat- 
lie  fuel 
drift- 
Is,  aiul 
liclem- 
thfit 
atives 
Imbsti- 
icd  at 
I  about 
such 


Hiiiiill  local  additions  a.^  could  be  made,  iusuflicient,  and  wlicn  oxliaustod 
tlic  ])coi>le  often  found  it  necessiiry  to  jturchase  more  vav.iI  from  the 
(.Company,  of  wliicli  the  ^mvx',  was  lixed  iit .'{()  dollars  ((»/.)  per  ton! 

71i(i.  This  particular  abuse  has  fortunately  been  remedied  under  the 
present  lease,  for  in  18!)0  tiie  amount  of  coal  for  St.  Paul  was  iinrreased 
to  50  tons,  and  in  1S<.>1  the(iovernment  stipuhited  that  100  tons  should 
be  provided  toi'  the  same  island,  where  tliere  are  now  oidy  thirty-ei^iit 
families.  The  more  liberal  provision  thus  made,  howevei-,  tends  to  show 
very  clearly  how  insutli<!ient  that  previously  accorded  actually  was. 

{G.)—Rai(h. 

727.  In  foiminp:  an  adetpiate  estinmte  of  the  number  of  seals  killed 
from  time  to  time  in  the  Mortli  I'acilic  Ocean,  and  especially  on  the 
rribylott  Islan<l8,  it  is  necessary  to  tak(^int<»  consideration  the  numbers 
taken  by  "laids,"  an  absolutely  illejjal  form  of  seal  kiiliu};,  which  has 
for  years  past  been  in  active  operation. 

728.  This  form  ot  sealing'  has  distinct  historical  conne<!tion  with  the 
orifjiiuil  seal  huntiufi'  of  tlu-  South  Seas  in  the  latter  years  of  tlie  last 
and  the  earlier  years  of  the  present  centuries.  There  seal  hunting;  is 
and  was  conducted  entirely  by  the  crews  of  vessels  landed  on  various 
islands  or  reels  where  seals  weie  to  be  fouiul,  tlu^  seals  beiu}^  shot  or 
clubbed  on  shore,  an<l  th«^  skins  sliipped  away  in  the  vessels. 

720.  Such  a  form  of  sealing  was  obviously  the  most  destrut'tive  that 
c  dd  be  devised.  The  seals  are  easily  herded  together  on  shore  by 
Very  few  men,  and  can  be  driven  slowly  inland,  and  there  guarded  until, 
if  need  be,  every  single  one  of  those  thus  herded  is  killed.  Jiut  in  the 
IH'ocess  of  herding  them  together  on  the  beaches  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  Si'als  around  are  and  nuist  be  stampeded,  and  in  their  wild 
rush  to  the  sea  not  oidy  do  they  do  tln^mselves  much  i)hysical  injury, 
but  they  overrun  the  smaller  seals,  and  esjiecially  the  pups,  that  chance 
to  lie  in  their  path.  We  have  ourselves  seen  the  evil  after  cHects  of 
such  rushes  in  the  corpses  of  ])ups  lying  thick  along  such  tracks.  More- 
over, in  tliisformof  killing  it  is  usually  the  ])Ian  to  pay  no  regard  what- 
ever to  sex,  age,  or  condition,  and  certaiidy  females  are  not  spared. 

730.  In  addition  to  this,  the  raiding  schooners  ujake  an  abundant 
catch  alongtherookery  fronts,  where  thousands  of  seals,  and  esjte(,'ially 
of  females  in  milk,  habitually  disport  themselves,  and  even  jday  around 
any  i)assing  boat.  The  consecpient  shooting  by  the  raiders  greatly  dis- 
turbs, scares,  and  scatters  the  females  and  males  on  the  breeding 
rookeries  close  by.  There  thus  seems  to  be  no  limit  to  the  numbers  of 
females  and  other  seals  that  may  be  easily  taken  or  destroyed  by  schoon- 
ers cruizing  <'lose  in  shore. 

731.  Kaiding  is  a  purely  piratical  and  illegal  form  of  sealing  when 
carrie<l  on  along  shores  over  wlii(!li  (lovernnu'uts  have  extende«l  their 
sovereignty,  and  i»articularly  when^  regulations  have  been  established 
for  the  i)reservation  of  the  fur-seal. 

732.  At  the  i)n'sent  time,  this  illegal  and  destructive  practice  is  car- 
ried on  in  various  ])arts  of  the  South  S<'as — for  instance,  in  a  ])ai)er  by 
JMr.  T.K.  Chapman  on  "The  Outlying  Islands  south  of  New  Zealand," 
contained  in  the  transactions  of  the  New  Zealand  Institute  for  ISOO, 
though  it  is  stated  that  the  fur-seal  is  now  very  scarce  on  these  islands; 
the  operations  of  .<eal  poachers  are  referre<l  to  in  connection  with  the 
Aiu^kland  Islands,  Campbell  Island,  Antipodes  Island,  and  th<'  Bounty 
Islands.  The  name  "jioacher"  is  here  ai)i)Iied  to  sealers  killing  on  the 
islands,  in  contravention  of  the  la\N8  of  New  Zer'and.    Some  of  the 


186 


RKPORT   OF   BRITISFI   COMMISSIONERS. 


men  tlms  roforrod  to  ('<nne  from  Xfw  /ralaiul  itself,  Imt  tlio  only  vossel 
s|)e(!ill('all.v  nllndcd  to  in  1.S.S!»  is  tlic  "Siirali  A.  Hunt.''  a  sralpoaclu'r 
from  Anu'iic.a  (p.  "ilL'). 

7.'{.'i.  Ajiiiin,  in  the  Straits  of  Ma}i«'llan.  flie  liiitisli  \ie<'  (Jonsnl  at 
Sandy  Point  i'e]>orts  in  April  ISS*),  tiiat  the  I  iiited  States  s(;liooners 
l»ay  no  attention  to  tin'  interdietiun  on  seaiin;;  ena<'t(Ml  hy  the  Chilean 
(lovernment.  Indeed,  the  frecpient  i)reseii<M'  of  sealinjj-vessels,  most  of 
tln'm  liailinjf  from  ports  in  the  New  Knjrland  Slates  of  North  Ameri<!a, 
is  a  matter  of  mueh  eon<'ern  to  the  (lilferent  (}()vernnients  now  endeiiv- 
onrinjj  to  ju'eserve  tin'  sj'als  in  these  waters. 

I'M.  There  has  been  wh«»Iesale  and  most  destrnetive  raiding  <»n  Uob- 
l>en  Islaiui,  and  «)ther  islands  in  the  Okotsk  and  .la])anese  Seas;  and 
thei'e  have  been  jtersistent  and  inon' <»)•  less  snecessfid  raids  made  on 
the  rookeries  both  of  the  Commander  an<l  I'ribylolf  }>i'onps. 

7.'»r».  In  n'e«Mit  times,  in  the  North  I'aeilie  Ocean,  the  greatest  instain-e 
of  the  revival  of  this  form  of  seal  hnntiny'  «»cenrred  during;  the  inter- 
val ol'  the  Iraiisfei'eiice  of  the  I'ribylolf  Islands  fictm  K'nssian  tt> 
lUO  American  control.  Some  vessels  equipjx'd  for  the  purpose  at 
once  visited  these  celebiated  islands  an(l  landed  sealin};-  parties. 
Various  C'ompanies  of  I'nited  States  sealers  occupied  the  islands  in 
liS(iS,  ('hief  amon^  them  bands  of  (Joniu'cticnt  sealers,  all  of  whom 
iMitered  into  armed  (■onddnation  to  drive  oH  the  scalers  under  IMIii}icl, 
who  had  come  np  fr<»m  the  Sandwich  Islands  to  raid.  The  j,'eneral 
result  was  tliat  at  least  7r»,()(K)  skins  were  secured  in  ISOT,  liH,',(l()0  in 
ISdS,  iind  H7,(M)()  in  l.S()!>,  or  a  total  of  more  than  tOO.ntK)  skins  in  these 
three  years. 

I'Mi.  It  is  necessary  for  our  |)resent  purpose  to  I'eview  the  details  only 
of  raids  made  or  attempted  on  the  I'ribylolf  Islands  since  the  United 
States  (lovernment  leasi-d  these  islands  to  thc!  Alaska  (Commercial 
Company,  and  this  Company  took  formal  i)ossessiou  under  established 
Kcfiulations  in  ISTO. 

7.'i7.  Tlu^  existiny-  records  are  iire<;iilar,  often  insuni<!ient.  and  fre- 
<ineiitly  consist  of  nu're  allusions  or  indirect  testimony.  It  is,  there- 
fore, probable  that  but  a  small  lu'oportion  of  the  wlndc  nnnd)er  of  rai<Is 
have  actually  been  recorded,  but  the  notices,  such  as  they  are,  amply 
indicate  what  has  been  doin<j.  In  Septend)er  l.S7(»,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasniy  f-ave  written  autiioiity  t(>  the  Company  to  use  lire  arms  in 
lirotj'ctinf"-  the  rookeries  a}i:ainst  marauders. 

7.'}S.  Hetween  1S7I  and  ISSO  several  sictual  raids  wenueported,  one 
of  the  earliest  beinj;'  one  by  tlu^  "  (3yftnet,'' of  San  Francisco,  cau};lit 
on  the  MHh  Atiynst.  1S7  I.  shooting'  seals  close  to  Otter  Islainl,  ami  which 
raided  the  rookeries  at  Zapadnie,  St.  (leor^-e  Island,  on  the  1st  Septem- 
ber, 1S7-I,  and  ayain  in  1<S7."».  In  duly  lS7r),  the  "San  Diejjo"  was 
seized  oil'  St.  I'anl  Island  with  l,(t(l()  skins  taken  on  Otter  Island.  On 
the  21st  .lune.  1S7<»,  the  "Cyyiiet"  and  the  "Ocean  Spray"  raided  the 
sauM'  rookery. 

7.'V.>.  In  1S77,  the  "Imlustry"  was  reported  as  hovering  around  St. 
Paul  Island,  and  a  raid  was  nmde  on  Ottei'  Islaml. 

I'M.*  In  the  same  year,  tlnu'evenue crnizer  "('orwin"  was  instructed 
specially  to  look  after  the  seal  lisheries.  In  the  Keport  of  her  Captain 
for  I.S7!(  occur  the  following  remarks: 

In  1S77,  our  (irst  vciir  in  these  wnters,  (here  was  h  vessel  (tho  seliooncr  "InduRtrv") 
alioiit  tlie  ishnids  late  in  Se|)leniliei',  wliieh.  withmit  <lonl)t,  inteinied  to  tiik<>  seals. 
She  tonehed  at  St,  (ieor^e  ninier  the  plea  that  hIiu  was  short  ol'  water,  liut  hearinjj 
that  th(^  "  J{nsh"  was  still  ahont  the  islanils,  left  very  alniiplly  wilhont  waitinj;  to 
water  Bhip.    I  would  reMpecllully  «tuto  that,  in  my  opinion,  it  in  only  neeessaiy  that  u 


UKI'ORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONKRS. 


187 


ted,  oiu' 

1(1  wliicU 
Si'|>tem- 
go"  was 

xnd.     <>!> 
iiied  the 


rrvonno-vcssfl  Rlmnld  he  known  to  1»<>  in  tlirso  waters  dnrinij  tlic  soason  for  tln>  jiro- 
tcrtinn  III'  till'  isliintlti,  thill  it  is  not  nccrssiiry  lo  locate  an  oHictT  and  nini  Ironi  flio 
vcNsi'l  on  <  MttT  Island,  und  tliat  now — tlnTc  licinji  two  spt-ciiil  ajii'nts  dniinjj  tlH-scii- 
Kon  on  i'urh  island — lui  occaHloinkl  visit  by  them  in  tlieir  boat  from  St.  I'aul  to  Ott«5r 
Island  would  ho  Nullicifnt. 

740.  In  1S70,  the  reveiine-cniizor  "Tfnsli"  n-rcivHl  licr  onlors  "to 
n'liizc  ill  the  waters  of  Alaska  ami  aiiioii};-  tlu*  islands  (»f  the  Aleutian 
An*hip«'lafj<>  .  .  .  ,  with  si  view  to  ])n)t('('tin^'  tlie  seallislieries  and 
sea-otter  hunting  j^'ronnds." 

The  Captain  repoited  "that  in  .Inne  l.S7!>  lie  landed  .'i  tons  of  coal  on 
Otter  Island,  aiul  lefr  liieiitenaiit  Wyekoff  and  two  men  on  8t.  Paul 
with  instructions  lo  ])ioceed  t(t  Otter  Island  as  soon  as  the  Company 
could  furnish  him  with  two  men  and  a  wliale-hoat,  this  same  arranj^o- 
meiit  liavinsr  Ik'CIi  made  every  year." 

Il(^  ad.ded  that  in  the  «'Ih1  of  Seplemlx'r  (l.S71>),  "Lieutenant  WyckolF 
reports  that  <]uite  a  number  <»f  seal  would  haul  aslnne  at  Otter  Island 
dnriii;,^  the  summer.  They  were  not  inclined  to  stop  there,  but  probably 
would  it  there  was  no  one  livinj;  (»n  tlie  island,  lie  had  scm  n  lour  or 
live  pui>s  wliich  were  born  there,  Imt  later  in  the  season  (piite  a  number 
of  youny  cows  came  there  with  the  male  seals."' 

741.  In  ISSO.  the  ()a)itain  of  tin'  revenue cruizer  "Corwin"  reports 
that  he  visited  St.  Paul  on  the  18tli  September: 

special  Aficiit  Il.(l.<nis  informed  me  that  lie  hail  visiteil  (Ittor  Island  sexeral 
times  tlurin;:  the  summer,  and  llial  no  vessels  nor  unantliori/ed  jiailies  had  lieen 
seen  anywhere  in  the  vicinity  of  the  seal  islands. 

74l*.  In  1S8().  Mr.  Wel)ster,  according'  to  his  own  stiitenwiit  to  us, 
found  clubs,  hauiinj'' h<»oks.  and  dead  seals  on  the  (Ireat  lOastern 
Kookery,  St.  (ieor<i('  Island,  all  lett  tliere  by  raiders. 

74.i.  ill  ISSO,  the  Cajitain  of  the  revenue  cruizer  "Corwin"  reported 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  his  seizure  of  the  schooner  "Leo''  in 
the  Ar(!tic  for  whiskey  sellini:'  to  the  Lskinio,  aildinj;,  "There  were  also 
found  on  board  the  '  lieo' several  i)ers(»iis  .  .  .  :  live  were  natives 
of  Kodiak,  emi)loy«  d,  i)robably,  for  the  jiurpose  (d  takiiiu'  seals  around 
the  seal  islands  in  the  fall." 

741.   In  1.SS1.  the  Ca])taiii  of  the  revenue-cruizer  "Corwin"  reported 

thatontheL'.h'd  May.atSt.  Paul  Island,  "Colonel  II. C.Otis,  the  Siiecial 

Treasury  Aii'cnt  in  eharjic,  came  on  board,  and,  after  a  consul- 

lL'7       tatioii  with  him,  it  was  decided  unnecessary  to  detail  an  ollicer 

for  duty  on  Otter  Island,  as  it  was  believed  that  the  force  on 

St.  Paul  Island  would  be  am|)le  to  i»rotect  both  islands." 

74.1.  In  the  same  reu(»rt  the  Captain  states  that,  on  the  lOtli  June. 
ISSl,  he  overhauled  tiie  schooner  "  Flyiii;;'  .Mist"  at  St.  Michael's,  and 
found  L'r»  oalhnis  of  whiskey  on  board,  "also  eomplete  outlit  for  takinjj 
seals,  ....  seal  clubs  for  kiiliii,!;'  them,  and  salt  for  iireservin;; 
their  skins,  and  was  apparently  on  a  jiredatory  cruize  annuid  the  seal 
islands  later  in  the  seas<»n." 

74«».  The  Captain  of  the  "Corwin "also  rejiorts  tlmt  th  --.pecial  Treas- 
ury A  ficut  on  St.  I'anl  wrot<' to  him  that.  "Oil  the  niulit  oi  tlie  Sth  June 
(I.SSl)  a  schooner,  supposed  from  her  siispit-ioiis  iiiovemeiitH  to  be  on  a 
]uedatory  mission  in  these  waters,  was  sighted  off  the  east  side  of  the 
island  beariii;;  in  a  northerly  direction,  and  next  niornin;;'  at  L'  o'clock 
she  was  diseoNcred  by  the  lookout  at  Mast  Point  standing;  close  in 
shore.  Later  in  the  morniiiiu'.  after  the  men  on  shore  comnienced  mov- 
iii;;  aliout.  slu' stood  out  to  sea."  On  this  the  Cai)tain  remarks:  "As 
pai  tii'son  board  the  '  I'Myiiiji  Mist'  acknowledjicd  to  having;  been  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  seal  islands,  she  was  undoubtedly  the  vessel  referred  to 


188 


IIKPORT   OF    URITISII    rOMMIS.S10NEUi5. 


!t:  M 


by  ColoiM'l  Otis,  :iimI  oiir  siis|»ici()iisiis  to  lu*r  iiiti'iitioiis  wore  ('oiilirniod. 
Slu'  1i;mI  i»r<)l>al»ly  itccii  IVijilitciied  olV  1)V  sci'iiij;'  men  on  slioic,  ainl 
would  ictiini  later  in  tlu^  season  when  tlie  ni^'lits  were  lon;:er.  and 
tMideavoiir  to  take  seals  <luriii.n'  the  nifjlit.  and  stand  oil'  shore  heforo 
<laylij;iit."  Mr,  Wardman  reports  that  he  noted  laids  on  St.  (leor<i'e 
Islainl  in  ISSI,  tin;  lirst  heiiij;-  on  tlie  L'nd  Septeniher :  "A  <j;i\\>  was 
en'ated  in  tlie  rookery  which  was  not  lilled  that  yi'ar."  Mr.  ('.  A.  VV'il- 
lianis  reported  that  vessels  hunted  olien  aroniid  Otter  Island,  wlieie, 
in  ISSI,  sixty  eaicasses  were  found  at  one  time. 

717.  Special  Ayi'iit  I).  I>.  Taylor  states  thai  vessels  have  iteen  poach- 
inp:  ar(nind  tiie  islands  lor  yi'ars,  landin^i'  under  eo\er  of  lo^i',  and  thai 
no  protect  ion  is  allorded  a<iainst  th^'ir  i)oachiiij;  ri^lit  on  tin*  rook«'ries. 
Jle  adds  that,  in  ISSI,  the  Company  was  poweiless  to  protect  the  seals 
ii^^ainst  uuirauders:  hut  that,  it'  a  liarliour  were  built  and  a  steam- 
launch  stationed  at  ea<'h  islaml.  the  ])rotection  would  l)e  ample,  lie 
states  that  vessels  visit  the  islands,  and  kill  in  all  lO.dUU  to  ir»,0(M>  seals 
«'ji«'h  year.*  Treasury  Ai;ent  (iliddou,  there  from  lSSJ-sr».  repiuts  that 
the  trouble  consists  in  the  inarainlin^^'  which  takes  place  every  nioon- 
lijiht  niji'lit. 

74S.  Ill  1,SS4,  the  "Alexander"'  was  captured  by  the  Treasury  Ayeut 
(ieorjic  Wardman  otf  Starry  Arteel  rookery,  St.  (leor,<;e  Islancl,  but  he 
reported '' he  had  to  release  her  because  he  could  not  hold  her,  beinj;' 
unable  to  iiavijiate,  and  there  bein^'  no  harbour  at  St.  (leorjie,  permitted 
of  uo  other  course  under  the  circumstances." 

In  the  sanu'  year  (he  "Adele"'  was  captured  and  sent  to  Sail  Fran- 
cisco. 

7I1>.  The  Captain  of  the  "Corwin''  sendinj;'  in,  for  1SS."»,  his  "ffenenil 
rei)ort  of  <»perati(Mis  of  vessel  for  the  protection  of  the  seal  fisheries 
iiiul  sea-otter  j;rounds,''  states: 

Mr.  Tiiifilt',  the  (Jovci'iiiiicnt  Spcciiil  ALTciit,  witli  a  I'cpi'cscntiitivi^  of  tlio  Aliiskii 
Coiinni'ri'ial  t!()iii|iaiiy,  ••.■iiiic  ini  Imard  t  llili  S(!|itfiiilMr,  iss;,  i^  .j,(i  both  stated  that 
•liiiiii;;-  the  aliSf^iKo  of  the  '•  Cniwiii  "  in  tlir  Arrtir,  Vessels  had  l>e,en  ertii/.iiifj  in 
Hi;;lit  of  the  islands  tnr  the  pnrpose  ul'  killiii;;  seals;  lint  antiei|>atin,ir  tlie"Ct)r- 
■\\  ill's'"  n^tnrn  and  the  heavy  wenlher  imidenl  to  the  lateih'ss  ol'  the  season,  none 
had  h(M!n  seen  within  thice  weeks  of  that  tiuH!.  These  e^i'ntlenien  estimated  that 
aliout  ir),(K)()  seals  hud  hcen  killed  hy  the  niarandin^  vessels. 

liiO.  The  Ca])tain  proceeds: 

In  previons  ]iu]»>rts  I  ha\(^  ealleil  the  attention  of  tlm  1>epai'tnipnt  to  tho  iinpor- 
tanee  of  greater  jirotection  to  seal  life  in  Alaskan  watiTs,  ami  i's)ieeia!ly  in  the  vi<Mnity 
of  the  I'riliyloli'  Islands,  Last  year  ilHSh  the  schooniT  '•Adele''  was  seized  by  an 
odieer  conntMted  with  this  vessel  for  nnlawfiiily  kiliinj;  seals,  and  delivered  by  him 
to  the  I'nited  States  aniliorities  at  San  t'rani'iseo.  Instead  of  heinji  proseented, 
as  ]irovided  hy  section  llCid  of  the  Hevised  Statutes,  she  was  snh.se(|nently  ndeased 
on  technieal  informalities. 

The  same  vessel  has  i>nisned  her  ille;jal  oeenjiation  dnrin;;  the  ])ast  summer,  and 
lier  release  from  Jnstiee  has  very  ;;i'nei'ally  led  to  the  heliof  that  the  seizure  of  the 
"Allele"  was  an  act  unwarranted  hy  law. 

Other  Vessels  had  ])reviciusly  been  seized  for  the  same  olVenee,  lint  in  no  instance 
lias  ])iinishment  been  inllicted.  The  |)epartinent  ean  ri'adily  see  what  the  result 
will  lie  if  this  state  of  alVairs  be  all()W(;d  to  eontinuo. 

I>iirin;i  the  year,  iinite  a  number  of  vcssols  have  raided  Alaskan  waters  for  seal 
niid  other  fur-beariii<;'  aninuils. 


1U8  Ivumours  are  eurroni  here  that  the  Amerieiin  Consul  at  Victoria  has  iiiforiiicd 

])eo])le  that  they  arti  not  prohibited  bylaw  from  sealing  in  Alaska  or  other 
waters,  )»rovided  thi'y  kee)i  more  than  three  leaj;;ues  from  the  shore  ,  .  .  .  ;  all 
ill  direct  violation  of  the  l\'ei;'ulatiiiiis,  Ac. 

The  KejKut  for  \>^Si)  concludes  witli  the  ur<;eiit  n'commendiition  "tliiit 
a  revenue  <'utter  be  sent  to  crui/.e  in  the  vicinity  of  the  I'ribylotl'  Ishinds 

*  lloiiso  of  Rei»resenta lives  K'ejtort,  No.  ',>S><',i,  ."idth  Congress,  2iid  Session,  ji.  58. 


KKrORT    OK    ltKri'1811    COMMISSIONF.I.'S. 


189 


IlllU'V.  iiixl 

lire  of  tho 

I,  instance 
It  he  result 

Is  for  sciil 


,  infoi'incil 


;v  ov  i> 


llier 
ill 


Ion 


u 


that 


i 


In,  1». 


58. 


ami  Aloiitiaii  iji<ni|t  «luiiiiii  flic  scaliiij;-  soastni.  (hw.  vt'sscl  cannot 
pntlt'ct  tlu' isl;in(ls  ;iii(l  visit  tln^  Arrtic.  Ocean  l)fsi<l«'s  ....  While 
tlic  cutter  is  ahseiit  in  the  Arctic,  much  (laMiayc  <'aii  l»e  done  by  niaiand- 
iiiji'  vessels  to  the  s»m1  islands.'' 

7r»l.  ill  ISS.").  Mr.  Welistcr,  the  Coiiipany's  a.^eiit,  with  the  aid  of 
Lieutenant  Lut/.e  ami  his  two  men  lett  as  •^ir-ird  on  Otter  Island,  cap- 
tured three  schooners,  one  the  '•  A<lele."  In  the  sann-year.  Mr.  Wehster 
t(Mind  that  the  schooners  lell  hoats  ashori>.  and  the  men  actually  camped 
in  Pirate's  ('o\e.  St.  (!eor;;('  Island,  lor  the  purpose  of  taking;"  seals  silonj; 
the  shore.  Many  vessels  were  seen  Irciim-iitly  hoverin;;;  arouinl  the 
islands. 

7.">l.'.  In  18S(I,  Starry  .\rteel  rookery  was  raided,  and  many  hundred 
seals  taken.  Mr.  Morj;an  found  the  carcasses  of  SOU  female  seals  en 
tlu^  shore,  as  well  as  the  carjio  iiooks  used  lor  hauliiij;  them.  The  raiders 
actually  camped  on  the  l>eacii  ai.d  were  seen  there  by  the  nati\es,  but 
it  was  not  discovered  to  what  vessel  they  belonged. 

Mr.  Tinjile.  before  the  House  of  Ifepiesentatives  Committee,  stated 
that  th"  "San  l)ic,n<t"  captured  by  the  •'('(»!  win''  in  ISStl  had  on  board 
17~»  skins  of  seals  that  had  lieeii  clidtbed,  and  s(»nie  skins  of  pups,  show- 
ing;' that  a  raid  had  been  made  <ui  St.  (icor;it'  Island.  We  also  have 
sw(»rn  t<'stiin<»ny  that  in  issii  and  ISST  tlu^  •*  liookout"  raid«'d  on  the 
islands.     The  '•('.  S.  Kowler''  is  also  nieuti<Mied  as  a  known  ral<ler. 

7r>."{.  In  lSiS7,  Mr.  Welistcr  saw  as  many  as  from  four  to  eiyht  schooners 
in  si^'ht.  and  hoverinu  around  from  .'S  to  (t  miles  otV.  "'Many  a  ni^lit 
has  he  walked  round  with  his  ritle.  and  seen  their  boats  <)ut  shootinj;: 
seal.  One  iiijiht  in  1.SS7,  in  a  thick  foj;',  boats  were  shootinj;'  away  so 
close  to  shore  as  to  scare  all  the  seals  on  the  Iteaeh." 

At  St.  J'aul  Island  on  the  IStli.  L'lst,  ami  L''»th  .Inly,  a  schooner  was 
seen  shoot inji  seals  <'lose  al<»n;i  the  shore  oil"  the  North-east  rookery. 
On  iiM'L'iSth  .Inly  a  schooner  ajijuared  close  to  Ott«'r  Island,  the  crew 
ashore  killing;'  seals.  She  pioved  to  !;«>  the  "  An^el  Dolly,"  alti'iwards 
captured,  because  her  Captain  and  one  of  the  crew  were  accidentally 
wounded.  On  the  Itli  Aujiust  a  steam  schooner  was  reported  «ttV  North- 
east I'oint,  ami  was  tired  at  by  the  watdnnen.  She  was  captured  by 
the  revenue  cutter  •'  IJnsh."  ami  proved  to  be  the  •'  Kate  Anna." 

In  Au,i;ust  the  Starry  Aitcel  rookery  was  raided,  but  nothing  was 
km>wn  of  the  occurrence  until  some  time  afterwaids.  Mr.  Webster 
found  all  the  unmistakable  sij;iis  of  ,vhat  had  been  <lone,  either  at  ni;j;ht 
or  in  a  I'o^'.  but  unknown  to  the  autlnuities. 

Mr.  Tin;Lile,  Treasury  Ayt-nt  on  St.  Paul  Island  in  1S,S7,  re|>oited  a 
schooner  lyinj;-  olf  the  IN  ef  Kookery  killinjj  seals,  and  she  was  repre- 
sented to  ha\('  taken  alto^-ctlier  l..'W»(»  seals.  In  his  report  for  1.SS7,  h«^ 
stronjily  urj:ed  that  a  li(»-ton  steam  yacht,  armed  with  one  };un,  should 
be  provided  to  chase  ami  i)oard  tin- schooners  sealinu' alon};' the  islan<ls. 
He  writes:  '' WhiU'  the  'Uiish'  was  busy  taking;'  care  of  maianders 
round  Sr.  (ie(»rji(',  those  schooners  ^\ere  killinji  seals  near  St.  Paul," 
beinji' frecpn-ntly  in  sif^ht,  Init  l>eyond  the  roach  ot'  the  Treasury  Aj;ent. 

l'>4.  In  ISSS,  many  M'ssels  were  seen  hoveiiii.ii  around  the  islands. 
One  schooner  anchored  in  broad  dayli.uht  in  S.  \V.  I5ay,  St.  Paul  Island, 
and  boldly  sent  several  boats  ashore. 

75").  In  1SS!»  there  are  several  records,  especially  aiouml  St.  (leorgo 
Island,  of  schooners  coming'  alon<j  shore,  and  of  stranjje  men  bein^ 
seen  on  the  braches  in  Seiilembei-  and  October.  On  the  L'lst  N()vember, 
a  schooner,  supposed  to  be  tlie  ••  Anjicl  Dolly,''  anchored  half  a  nnle 
from  the  shore,  a  id  sent  four  luen  ashore  who  killed  seals.  On  the  L'L'nd 
November  at  Zaj)adnie,  St.  Oeorj^e,  the  authorities  discovered  thut 


190 


UKPOkT    OF    lUUTISH    rOMMISSIONKRS. 


three  se])arat«'.  liimliii^s  Iiaii  lu'cii  iinuh',  jiud  foiiiul  two  rliihs,  seviMi 
d(*ii(l  triii:iU^s<>als  and  oiM-  Ixdl  woiiiidi>d  with  ImicUsIimI.  In  the  aiititiiiii 
tin*  ••  Allie  Alj-ar"  rahUMl  on  St.  (ieorye,  iiikI  idMciircd  iimre  tliaii  HM» 
skins.  A  report  in  tlie  "  New  York  Herald  "  slates  that  certain  ineni- 
beis  of  a  schooner's  erew  l»oasted  tliat  in  Mds  yeai'  (il'U'eii  in»'n  liad  in 
live  honrs  n\'  one  ni;^lit  kiMed  !,(»(»(►  seals  on  8t.  (le<»rj,'e.  I'ra<rtieal 
sealers,  ;;ivinj;evi(h'ii(e  under  oath,  testified  that  to  tlieir  certain  knowl- 
edfi'e  in  the  year  ISSH  ;ind  'S1M>  raids  were  made  on  the  islands  by  the 
'•(ieorjje  li.  \\  iiite,"  the  "  i)ainel  VVehster,"  the  "  Mollii'  Adams,"  and 
the  "  Allele." 

Toll.  In  1S!K),  olV  the  Northeast  rookeiy,  St.  Paul  Island, (»n  the  ir»th 
and  Kith  June,  there  were  two  ^ehooners  hoveriiij;.  with  boats  out. 
From  tlie  1st  to  the  Ith  -July  the  whalin;^'  barcpie  '"Lydia"  was  erui/.inj; 
alon^'  close  in  shore.  .Mr.  'riM;;le,  the  Company's  anient,  saw  a 
121)  boat  in  a  fo^  sealing;  within  L'OO  yards  of  the  beach;  he  tired  at  it 
with  his  ritle;  an  unseen  vessel  at  once  be<;an  to  blow  her  fog- 
horn, the  understood  si>;iial  of  recall  to  all  boats  out. 

i)n  the  'JSth  August  a  schooner  anchored  close  to  Ncu'th-east  Point. 
Next  day  the  revenue-cruizer  "Kush"  boanled  her.  She  proved  t<»  be 
the  *'  Kate  Anini,"  bJit  had  no  skins  on  board.  For  tlu^  next  eight  days 
a  schooner  was  rei)orte(l  oil'  the  sanu^  rookery,  anchoring  »'Iose  in,  lower- 
ing her  boats,  and  continually  sh(»oting  seals  within  halfa mile  of  the 
shore.  Nothing  appi'ars  to  have  been  done  to  stop  her,  although 
Colonel  Murray  afterwards  re])orted  that  there  were  any  number  of  dead 
I)Ui)s  found  at  a  later  date  along  the  beach.  In  August  the  schooner 
"Allele"'  was  l)oar(led  and  captured,  all  her  crew  being  ashore  raiding. 
She  w  as  biought  into  the  bay. 

The  schooner  '*C.  I).  Hand"  was  taken  by  the  ernizer  "Kush,"  in 
North  east  Hay.  Iler  Scotch  captain,  declaring  himself  to  be  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Salvation  Army,  protested  he  was  not  and  could  not  be  seal- 
ing, because  it  was  Suiulay.  The  only  evidence  givi'ii  by  the  watch- 
iiH'u  on  shore  was  tiiat  they  "had  seen  a  boat."  The  schooner  was 
released. 

In  September  1S!M»  a  large  white  schooner  sailed  into  North-east 
rookery  to  land  a  jtarty.  The  Aleut  wati-hmen  tired  lour  shots  from 
Martini  Henry's  across  her  bow.  She  returned  about  100  shots  and 
sailed  away. 

7."»7.  In  the  same  year,  on  St.  (ieor^re  island,  numerous  raids  or  at- 
tempts were  rei»orted.  Four  distinct  a  tempts  were  made  at  Zapadide 
rookery.  'i"he  ••  Helen  Hluin"and  "I'nga"  failed  to  secure  any  seals. 
The  •'  Flying  l>utchnian"  |"Adele"|  secuved  many  skins, and  it  isactii- 
ally  reported  that  she  would  ha\enuide  a  gicat  haul  but  that  her  crew 
at  the  critical  moment  obtained  access  to  liquor.  One  schooner  was 
surprised  in  the  act.  and  departed  leaving  VM)  females  killed  on  the 
beach,  the  skins  of  which  were  taken  and  salted  by  Mr.  Webster,  on 
behalf  of  the  Company,  as  we  were  iid'ornied  by  (Japtain  Lavender. 
On  the  17th  September  no  less  than  three  schooners  were  in  the  oiling, 
and  one  attempted  a  lainling,  but  retired  when  tired  at  by  the  watcli- 
men.  in  the  same  year,  it  was  alst>  reported  that  one  of  the  district 
salt  houses  had  been  bidken  open  by  the  crew  of  a  vessel,  and  fill  the 
Balteil  skins  carried  olV. 

7r»S.  Colonel  Murray,  the  cautimis  Treasury  Agent  on  St.  George, 
itiforuK'd  us  that  he  had  examined  the  traces  remaining  of  nniny  raids 
that  had  taken  phuu',  unknown  to  the  authorities.  On  one  occasion  he 
had  seen  the  fresh  bloodstained  tracks  down  which  the  carcasses  had 
been  hauled  tu  the  boats;  on  another,  he  aud  his  com2)aniun,  on  a 


HKI'OUT    Ol'    lUilTISIl    COMMISSIONKRH. 


i:»i 


III 


or  at- 

seals, 
is  acta- 
k'crew 
ii>r  was 
Ion  the 
^tor,  on 

oiuKt. 

oHitiiJ:, 

watcU- 
llistrit't 
lall  the 

ieortje, 
raids 
lsi(Mi  lie 


I 


ses 


had 
1,  on  A 


fairly  dark  nijriit.  liad  coiiu-  across  tliirtct'ii  dead  seals,  cliihltt'd  tin' 
iii^lit  Ix'lurc.  'I'Im'V  IiihI  lircd  twenty  live  shots  to  waiiiotV  tiie  laidcr.^, 
and  had  notieod.  ineidentally,  that  thest*,  shots  did  not  in  tin*  least  dis- 
turb tlie  seals  aioniid. 

7o!>.  In  IS'.M.  we  loniid  all  the  resul«'nt  olliirials  and  natives  persistt'iit 
in  their  complaints  of  raids,  and  their  reports  of  sehnoiiers  hoverin;^ 
around  the  shores  with  intent  to  raid.  ;ind  of  that  heiiiy;  icporled  espe 
eially  on  fo^^yy  days.  When  we  (irst  arrived  at  »St.  I'aul  Islajnl.on  the 
nioininy  ol'  Monday,  theL'Trli  .Inly,  the  Treasury  A;;ent,  (!oI(»nel  Murray, 
eanie  otV  at  onee  in  a  hoat.aiid  iieson^ht  us  to  proceed  without  delay  to 
the  North  east  rook«My,  as  slxtts  had  heen  heaul  there  repeatedly  on  the 
previ(»ns  day,  and  at  iii{;ht  dose  nhui;;  the  sluue.  Major  \\  illianis.  the 
riiief  Treasnry  A;;('nt.  and  Mr.  |{edpath,  tlie  inana;;er  loi'  the  Com- 
]»any,  had  driven  ovei-  I'J  miles  to  tin-  Noith  east  roukt-ry  to  see  whit 
could  l)«- done.  When  we  went  to  the  Company's  house,  Mr.  Tinjjie, 
the  ;;«'neral  sn|>erintendent  of  the  Company,  was  |ierpetually  workin;;; 
the  telephone  to  X(»rth  east  rookery  and  reporting;  that  schooners  were 
tluMe.  The  vivid  impression  produced  on  us  at  the  lime  was  that  what 
ever  the  actual  amount  of  laidiu;;  in  i)rofiress.  both  (ioviMinnent  ami 
Company  were  ah>olutcly  without  |»r<»per  means  to  stop  it.  On  tlu^ 
L'Utli  Jidy  w«'  .saw  a  hrij;aMtinesail  boldly  lij^ht  past  the  settU'ineiit.  imt 
there  were  no  means  at  hand  either  to  detain  or  evt-n  to  identify  her. 

In  the  late  autumn  the  icveuue  crui/.er '•  H«'ar"  remaiiuMl  near  tlm 
islands  for  thirty  six  ilays,  and  then  pioceeded  to  coal  at  OunalasUa; 
the  day  after  siie  left  the  islands  a  steam  sloop  raided  thelireat  Masteru 
r(Mikery  on  St.  (ieiujic  Island. 

7<>(>.  CorrolMuative  evideiu'e  has  been  alTorded  in  IS'.M  by  the  news- 
])ai)er  corres|iondents  who  visited  liehiin;;'  Sea.  Accordiuf;'  to  their 
!l(!eounts.  Captain  Alexander  < 'arlson,  of  San  I'raucisco,  had  liecu  a 
l)ersisteut  raidei' sine*'  ls,s4.  <"aptain  Hansen,  in  the  "  Myinj;-  Dutch- 
man" ["Adele,''|  perpetiated  many  raids,  until  his  vessel  was  wrecked 
last  year.  In  ISIH  he  wished  to  obtain  a  coastinji'  <'h'aranc<'  !'or  the 
"Horealis,"  but  his  openly-avowed  intention  to  raid  led  the  Collector  of 
Customs  at  X'ictoria  to  refuse  him  a  clearam-e  to  liehrin^  Sea.  and  he 
went  off  to  Okolsk  Sea.  ('aptain  Downs,  of  the  "llattie  (la^e,"'  nuide 
jv  sworn  allidavit  that  his  mate  Adams,  wlu)  supersecb'd  him  when  he 
was  forcibly  put  aslnueon  the  Shuma;;in  Islands,  was  jtioceedint;  toimdie 
raids  on  the  IMibylolf  Islands,  and  that  in  ISiK)  the  Captain  of 
130  the"llattie  (lajie'' had  been  relieved  of  the  <'ommand  because 
he  refused  to  make  raids  adiore.  Captain  Heilly.  of  the  ''Otto," 
said  that  if  he  had  his  owner's  permission  In;  wcuild  williujily  make 
raids. 

7G1.  It  will  thus  bo  seen  tliat  raidinj;-  on  the  Tiibylolf  Islands  has 
been  carried  on  persistently  at  least  siin-e  istis,  ainl  that  from  that  date 
thc!  authorities  liave  known  of  the  raids,  und  from  the  eailiest  time 
urj;ently  demanded  precautions  in  preventirui. 

VOL*.  The  evils  of  raidin}^'  are  very  ;;reat.  It  is  by  far  the  most  de- 
structive form  of  sealin.ii'.  combininn  all  the  disadvantaucs  and  muic!  of 
the  advanta}ies  of  the  other  forms.  The  killing  is  chietly  of  breedinjj 
females,  as  the  raiders  cannot  penetrate  far  enough  inlaiul  toobtain  the 
young  badu'lors  or  immatnr*'  female  seals.  ^I'hus,  the  skins  they  obtain 
are  tlioseof  leinales  which  are  either  still  with  pup  or  are  suckling  their 
young.  Moreover,  the  juocess  implit's  <listurbanco  of  the  breeding 
rookeries;  tlu^  scaring  of  the  seals  during  their  bn-eding  time,  male, 
female,  and  young;  ami  the  stami)cding  of  whole  rookeries,  whereby, 
Avitluuit  doubt,  there  ensues  that  great  killing  of  helpless  pups  which 
we  have  already  reported  we  observed  in  certain  rookeries. 


I'.K 


VX2 


RKI'UUT   (»l'    HKITlsn    COMMISSIONKIiS. 


7<»;».  We  Miirsclvcs  nofircd  tin-  ^r«'iit  rase  with  wliirli.  timlcr  prosent 
iiiraii^rciiiciits.  r:ii<l.s  in  i;;  lit  lM>sur**'s.sriill,\  can  ini  out,  and  iH>tliiii;;\vliiit- 
cvrr  l»r  known  toilir  irsidrnts  at  llir  nioincnt.  wliilr  aftiT  discovery 
d(>|M'nd('d  in«'i'('l\  on  accident.  ICxcn  on  tiic  rookciics  iinnicdiiitt>ly  under 
tlu'  scttlcuMMils  no  look  out  is  kept.  For  instain-e,  we  steamed  into  tlie. 
ancliora<;e  of  tlic  settlement  at  St.  I'anI,  <-lose  past  the  /apadnii^  and 
Tolstoi  rookeries,  one  l»ii;;ht  moonlight  ni;L:ht  (llth  Scptt-mltei),  and 
moved  eai  ly  the  next  inoniiii;;'  bv  dayli;^ht  lonnd  t  he  (iorhotch  and  |{eef 
I'ookeiies  t<t  tin- other  landin;:,  without  our  presence  beconiin;;  known 
in  any  way  at  the  settlement.  <  Mi  theoiitlyiniL;  lookeries  no  watch  what- 
ever is  pi'csenl. except  at  Noith  caNt  I'oint  (Mi  St.  I'anI  Island  and  /ajtad- 
nieon  St.<ie'>r;:e  Island.  .Ml  the  otlxT  rookeries  on  itotli  islands  are, 
as  a  rnle,  ahsolntely  williont  any  watch  or  ;;nai<l.  On  N(»rth-east  an<l 
/apadide  rookeries  the  ;;nard  consists  of  tw«)  or  three  mitive  Aleuts 
who  have  rilles.  Imt  are  instructed  not  foliieat  m«'n.  Moreover,  we  are 
hy  no  mean.s  assur«'d  thai  brilu'ry  iiy  money  or  drink  has  n(»t  been  actu- 
ally practised  over  some  of  these  distant  guards. 

I'iVidenci'  was  all'oided  of  numerous  instan<'es  of  the  si;^ns  of  recu'ut 
raids  bein^C  discovered,  all lionj;h  as  to  the  actual  occurrence  not hinj^ 
whatever  was  known  to  those  in  authority  at  the  time,  and  we  are  iu)t 
at  all  surprised  to  see  that  in  recent  years  the  leporis  that  schooners 
are  hoverinjiolf  the  island,  anchorinj;  close  in,  and  sending;  boats  ashoris 
are  rapidly  jirowini;  in  fre(|uency.  .\s  the  prospects  of  a  heavy  catch 
ashore  or  alony  the  lookery  fronts  ai'c  j^rcat.  so  is  tln^  temptation  fjreat, 
especially  as  chances  of  detection  are  few  and  iiniocuons,  and  chances 
of  <'apture  most  lemote  under  the  pi'csent  system. 

in  shoit,  undei'  present  re;.;ulations  and  arranj,'ements,  there  is  n(» 
dilliculty  or  danjicr  whati-ver  to  vessels  raidinj;'  alonj;-  shor«'  any  ni,uht, 
(»r  in  any  of  the  frei|uent  foj^s  at  several  of  tlie  best  rookeri<'s,  ex«'ept 
when  a  levenne  cruizer  i'hances  to  be  close  by,  an  occasional  o('<Miirence 
Wi'll  known  to  every  maraudinji  schooner.  Moreov<'r,  the  United  States 
crui/ers  n«'ver  interfere  with  "whalers,"  sonu' of  which  undoubtedly,  at 
all  events,  report  the  moNcini'Uts  ol  the  cruizers,  forndii;;  as  it  wer«^both 
watch,  houses  and  storehous«'s  for  the  laiders,  even  when  they  do  not 
themselves  enj;ajie  in  actual  raidiii.n'. 

7(!l.  It  is,  jterhaps.  needless  to  icassert  that  this  form  of  takinj;  seals 
is  entirely  illejiitimate.  and  althouj;h  it  is  a  very  severe  and  disastrous 
drain  on  seal  life,  it  is,  neveitheless.  one  tor  which  thi^  national  {•overu- 
nient  and  the  adininistiation  ari'cntirely  and  solely  responsible.  Thus, 
the  IJritish  men  of  war  which  in  ISiU  entered  IW'hiinii'  Sea  for  the  pur- 
pose (d"  assist  injj  in  stopi)iii<f  sealinn'  at  sea  were  ex|»ressly  an<l  i)r<)peily 
precluded  from  takint;'  any  step  within  the  ordinary  jurisdictional  limits 
around  coasts  ami  islands. 

7')o.  It  may  1k^  i»ointeil  out  that  in  no  case  yet  has  it  been  shown  or 
proved  that  any  Mritish  vessel  ever  en^'aj'ed  in  raiding;  on  the  I'riby- 
iotr  Islamls. 

ma.  There  is  iu>  valid  reason  what<>ver  why  the  local  authorities 
should  not  be  provided  with  ami»le  means  for  stoppinji'  raids.  It  should 
be  remenil)ered  also  that  the  San  l-'ranciseo  sealers  hav(^  asserted  that 
the  possibility  of  raidinji',  a  most  profitable  operation,  encourages  .seal- 
ers <d"  a  (;ertain  class  to  lit  out  sealinu'  schooners  and  enter  Uehriu};'  Sea, 
and  if  the  local  authoriti(>s  made  raiding  the  gr(>at  risk  that  it  should 
be,  they  would  take  <Mie  practical  ste|>  towards  re<lucing  the  mimber 
of  vessels  which  engage  in  this  illegitimate  ami  most  destructive 
methoils  of  sealing. 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


103 


tions 
lovern- 

Tlius, 
ic  i>nr- 
|oi)»'ily 

limits 

)\vn  or 
Pviby- 

rities 
should 
[I  tliiit 

i  Sea, 
liould 
lumber 
1  active 


707.  While  we  were  visititi;:;  tlie  ('uiim.iintlfr  Islands  in  1><01.  \\v  |i;ii(l 
special  attention  to  tlie  means  adopte  I  lur  pif\  eiitinL;  laitU,  I'lic  Ifus 
sian  antlinrities  afl;no\viiilL;«Ml  tliat  tin-  (laM^cr  \v;i^  ^iciit.  At  om. 
time,  sixteen  Cossaek  soldiers  were  stntinned  on  eaeli  islmid  antlioii/ed 
to  lire  on  all  raiders,  and  at  tlie  present  time  tliis  turee  e()ii>is|s  of 
thirty-six  armed  native  walelnneii  under  •oiir  ( 'dssniKs.  "I'lie 
I'M  ('(»mpany's  tradiii};  steamer  was  s|ie:  i;illy  antliori/ed  to  seize 
Kehooners  when  she  inid  I  he  projiei'  « ioNcrnnn-nl  otlieials  on 
board,  and  now  a  {^nn  boat  is  detailed  t<» era i/e  round  the  islands  dnrin i: 
the  sealing;  season.  We  fonnd  the  >\>leMi  of  watehin^-  ;ind  lepoitin^r 
by  the  Aleuts  to  be  in  admirable  order.  \\  hen  we  iir--t  airived,  we 
fonnd  even  tiie  imistlieads  of  the,  •■  i'orpois*'"  and  the  ••  Danidie"  had 
been  reported  as  liavin.iT  been  seen  above  the  ton  i»n  the  other  side  of 
the  island,  an<l  on  Co[>per  Island  oni-  presence  in  a  l»ay  at  one  end  of 
the  islaml  had  been  at  once  reported  by  special  messenj;er  to  the  set- 
tlement seventeen  miles  distant. 

7()S.  Anionj(  measures  to  this  «mm1  next  fietiuently  advociiied  is  that 
of  havin;;  a  revenue ciiii/.er  perniam-nily  statu  ned  at  the  I'ribylolV 
islands  thronj^hont  the  months  of  dnne,  .Inly,  An<;iist,  and  September. 
r>nt  we  tbuini,  in  l.S'Jl,  that  the  revenue  erni/ers  were  often  far  distant 
from  the  seal  islands,  j»erliaps  in  lliuliuk  llaiboiir,  waitinL;  for  nniils  or 
■eoals,  or  away  ei'ui/.in;;' around  Nunivak  oi'  St.  Matthew  Island,  or  on 
duty  at  St.  Michael's  or  other  distant  jioints.  We  also  notic«'(|  that,  in 
tlu'  tVe(pient  Ib^s  and  the  dark  loom  (»1  the  land,  sciiooners  c;in  very 
<Misily  elude  escn  the  sharpest  lookout  fi(»ni  seaward.  In  our  opinion, 
the  most  ell'ectnal,  as  well  as  the  most  economical,  method  of  ^nardinj; 
ajfainst  raids  would  be  to  have  an  armed  polii-e  force  with  details  per- 
manently on  {^inird  neai'  each  ro(»keiy,  and  with  sped  In;  orders  to  tiro 
<)U  all  i>ersons  landing-  or  takin;;  si-als.  The  rookeries  are  limited  iu 
number,  and  moderately  well  delined  in  area,  and  could  easily  be  thus 
defende<l  with  elVect. 

7(>!>.  We  W(Mild  als(»  jxiintont  that,  in  so  far  as  disturbance  of  seals 
is  c()neeined,  it  w»Mild  be  well  if  fireater  restriction  was  jdaced  on  the 
nund)er  of  persons  allowed  to  visit  the  rookeries  and  outlyini;  ishinds. 
We  found  that  Walrus  Island  was  re;;arde(|  |»ractic:illy  as  a  shootinj; 
jesort  for  all  (Joveriiment  (tflicials  and  all  ollicers  of  ( lovernnunl  ships. 
.Vjiain,  when  on  the  4th  An^jiist  we  went  in  a  steam-launeh  from  St. 
Paul  anchoraj'e  (juietly  to  n(»te  whether  thert^  were  any  seals  on  Otter 
Island  a  revenue  erui/.er  happened  to  come  in,  and  while  we  were  jiro 
eeediu}:^ dead  slow  alonj.''  the  sliore  carefully  lookiii;;  lor  seals  she  landed 
ii  boat's  crew,  and  the  ollicers  at  onct'  bcj;an  with  shot  j;uns  and  revol- 
vers shootiu};  at  the  foxes  and  sea  low  1  on  shore.  This  apjiears  to  be  a 
common  practice  in  all  years,  and  is  quite  snllicient  ofitseU  lo  scaie  all 
.seals  from  these  particular  islamls.  We  mii;ht  lieie  also  mention  that 
the  daybef(»re  wo  paid  our  lirst  visit  to  the  North  e;i>t  K'ooki-ry  on  the 
oth  Auj^ust),  Anu'rican  ollicers  had  been  drivin;^  u[>  and  siiooiin^'  sea- 
lions  there  for  scientific  i)urposes, 

77U.  lu  regard  to  the  practical  elVect  of  these  raids  on  the  total  catch 
of  seals,  it  would  ai)pear  that,  from  the  annual  iccoiijed  totals  of  the 
American  catch  landed  from  schooners,  very  material  dedintions  must 
be  made  and  transferred  to  the  annual  total  catch  on  the  I'ribylolV 
Islands  as  being  the  result  of  operations  on  and  arnuiid  tin-  rookeric'S 
ou  the  Pribyloll"  Islands,  and  forming,  therefore,  properly  spe;iking.  m» 
l)art  of  the  pelagic  catch.  It  is  not  possible,  owing  to  the  scantiness 
of  records  kept  *m  the  islands,  to  estimate  pieci.'^ely  the  total  inunbers 
of  seals  thus  killed.  It  is  certain,  howcncr,  that  raids  constitute  a  very 
material  drain  on  tlie  seal  life  of  the  i'ribyloll'  Islamls,  luobably 
B  S,  PT  VI 13 


r 


104 


REPORT   OF    RRITISH    rOMMlsSIONKUS. 


aiMotiiititit;  ill  .some  vtMis  to  inaiiy  tli«)iis!iii(1  seals;  tiiat  the  prartirc 
involves  tiir  l»arltariiiis  slaii;;liter  of  verv  laijie  inimbt'is  of  t'eiiiales  and 
pups  of  iiniiiatiirc  ;:n)\vtli:  and  tiiat  it  is  an  evil  lor  wliirli  the  remedy 
is  e.xfreiiiely  simple  and  easy  of  applieation.  eoiisistin;;  merely  of  the 
most  nidimeiitary  poli(.-c  arranj^MMiietits  for  iiiHiiiin;;  the  execution  of 
the  local  law8. 


t   ' 


M 


?" 


V. — NiMUKR  OF  Fir  SKAr.s  Kim^kd  upon  tup:  ruiRYi.oip 

ISI-ANDS. 

7/1.  While  the  lore};oin^  ae(;ount  of  the  methods  of  e(»ntrol  and  tlie 
iiianiier  in  whieh  sea!  killiii<;  has  been  ami  is  eoiidiieted  on  tin*  I'lihy- 
loll  Islands  shows  that  theolheial  ii'tiiins  cannot  ahsuliitely  represent 
the  whole  annual  slaughter,  these  retiiins  are  of  ;:i'oat  interest  for  th(^ 
]>ui'pose  of  institiitin;:  ■;eneral  eoiii|iari.s<)ns  as  heiweeii  the  ainoiint  of 
the  killing'  in  various  years,  and  parliciilai  ly  in  their  heariii;,'  on  the 
fact  of  the  unprecedented  chaiiU'terof  theilialt  which  has  I  teen  continu- 
ously made  on  the  seal  life  of  the  islands  since  they  |>assed  under  the 
e(»ntrol  <»!'  the  I'liiled  State.*-',  which  has  aliciidy  heen  referred  to  at 
lcn;;th.  Mu«-h  care  has  heeii  ^iven  to  the  compilation  of  the  suhjoined 
table,  which.it  will  be  remarked,  do(>s  not  represent  either  the  number 
of  accepted  skins  actually  ;;ot  in  each  year  or  the  shipments  «>f  such 
Kkins  actually  made,  but  is  iiit«'iided  to  show,  as  far  as  the  returns 
admit,  the  whole  number  of  seals  killed  aciMudiii;;  to  the  otiicial  <''>'-iit. 
The  uiire«'orded  causes  of  loss  and  waste  would,  of  course,  atld  cou- 
siderably  t<»  the  li;;ures  actually  {jiveii: 

132       Tnhle  Khoirinij  ihv  Sumhrr  of  i'lir-xmh  hilled  on  the  I'l-iliyhilf  lnUtnih  in  riicli  yvar, 

'  from  isn  to  IS'.n. 


Year. 

XiniiliiT  of 
Si-aU  killnl. 

(10.  ISH 
,■■•)  .^.Mi 
.VJ.  'jr. 
,'|0.  -J'.'o  ' 
44.  00,-. 

:i(i  4(10 

•.".1.  S7:! 

•2.:>.  400 
:i(i,  |iio 
•Jl  'j.-.o 

10,  7(10 
■j:i.  '_'-'s 
L'O.SII 

is.ii;i4 
111,  (i:;4 

HI.  411) 
111.  11 'J 
I."..  7.'.1 
tl.  .'iSO 
ti.  .MHI 
«,  SO'.' 
ti.  00"' 
(i,  1100 

8,  000* 
8.0(10* 

10.  :)7o 
n.'jio 

1 1 . 0'.'4 

i:i.ii:i7 
1.-..  (170 
17.7o:J 
.M.ii.'iO 

■.;i.4.'.o 

11.  770 
0  :i\A 

fi.  7:.'.'> 
IS.  (i:i,-i 

'.Ml.  146 

XiiniliiT  of 
riijirt  killi'd. 

Your. 

XiiinlMr  of 

.SimIs  killr.l. 

S,  .'.S.^ 
Z\.  .■..'.0 

•.'l.(is-,i 
:il,Mo 

IJ.  IMKI 

■.'l,.V.I(l 
•JO,  (100 

:n,joi 

'J.'i,  WM1 1 
•Jli.  (Kill? 
40.  INKIf 
4J.  IKKII 
7.'i,  I'OO 
•-'IJ  Olio* 
87.(100 

Zk  77:t 
07.  (lO'J 
KH.r.'.ts 
101..-..-,.-.  ' 
lii7.o:iJ 
101. -Jio 
so  47S 
77,  O.'.ii 
liil.llOJ 
llili.O.iS 

liKi  r,::4 
l(i|.7:t4  ' 
lol.7:iii 
77.mi.T  ' 
loi.iii:i 

101.5(19 
KKI  772 
100.  7!).') 
100.  4.')0 

100.  \:\xt 

'-'0.  005 
12,071 

Niiiiilipr  iif 
l'ii|m  killed. 

]m7     

1  IK'I  iiitcs 
poim. 

lR-,.'> 

ISIS    

lS,'ill    

isp.i      

1S,'.7    

|S''0        

l^.■lS   

1S"I 

|S,-|0 

),s'"       

l.sliO    

j,s>:i      

ISIU 

|S"4         

ISIiJ    

IS"'.'!            ..                      .... 

ISIiil        

I,s'fi       

IStil 

).^>7       

1  Sll.') 

I>"S                .              ...... 

ISIili    

1 S  "1        

|S(17    

\t<;\\) 

ISdS    

JKIl                              

isiio 

is:rj  

1S70 

]«;);)      

IS7I 

1811                            

1.S7L' 

is:i."i    

l,«7:i 

|S7I 

ISIIi     

|s:!7 

ists         ..                  

l.-i7.-. 

is7ii 

lh;{ij 

IS77       

i  A  rnrnjte 

JSIO 

1S7S 

Ihll        ...                   

ls7'.t 

killiliK  of 
a  Ii  o  tl   t 

1S4'J 

IS.SO    

]S4;( 

ISSl          

4  ti4K)pii|m 

1S14 

JS.-.J        

not      ill- 

]H(,-|        

ISS.i    

IS  III           ... 

1SS4 

Is47 

lSS."i         

],stS 

1  .sS(i        

1H40      

I  .>S7 

IS.'iO 

1  s.ss    

IS'il 

1  s.><o     

l.>-.VJ 

Jb,i:i 

I."!)!) ... 

[ 

i  18U1   

N'ot    Inrlud- 
iiij;  pu|>8. 

lH,'i4 

*  Ap))''*'^'""^^"!  pt-ubably  270,000  if  St.  Gcor;;o  Idlaud  be  iucli:(led. 


V  o  r  «  It  e 
:i  II  II  II  a  1 
killiiic  "f 
l>  <>  II  t 
4.CiiK»iiii|>H 
n  <>  t  in- 
cluiled. 


nt     Inrlud- 
^ili;;  imps. 


KKPouT  OF  Hurri.su  commissioners.  195 

Total  Shipments  of  Skin^  'hii  prrioitm  madt'  hi/  the  l!ii»»inn    tmir'uan  Companij  and  the 
Hill riKliiiij  Aliiitkd  <  (imiiKriiiil  i  iniipnuii. 

lucliidttH  Hoinn  Nkiim  frmii  tlm  C'oiiiinanilor  IhIiiiiiIh  niiil  oiNowliorc —  Bkiim. 

liiisxi:!!!  Atii)Tir;iii  ( 'niii |>:iii\'  tiiiiil  Aiitfi'i'ilt'iit   I'liitfil  Aiiii'i'iraii  Coiii- 
IKiii.V).  17!»'.t  to  ixjl    lii.lli' iiiiliwivo).  2:{  yt-aiH 1.2;J-',37J 

(  I'.lliott,  ('fll»iix    l.'t  Iiiilt,  |i.  TO.) 
RUHMiiiii  AiiK-riraii  ('iiiit|iaiiv  M-riuiil  ]ivrinil),  ISI'I,' to  ISil  (Imtli  iiirlii- 

Hivo),  -JU  yi-arH i'lX.WJ 

{ ltaiii;ri'lt,  p.  'itVA,  t'mni  TiTliiiiiiKitr;  lilliott,  (,'«<iihus  lii'|ii>ii,  jt.  ~0.) 
RiisHiaii  Aiiirriinii  ('utii|)aiiy  (tliiril  pi-iioil),  IH|'J  in   |si;|  (lintli  nirlii- 

8iv»>),L'(>  y.  ars " UIJX,  tklO 

(Itainriitt,  )>.  'i^'.',  frmii  'ri'<'liiiiiii(ill'.) 
rril)yl«>ll  Islaiiiln  alidic- 

liitt'irruiMiiii  (  iN'ii.'  tn  IMiTi.  Iiriiii;  \rars  lii-t\v)><'ti  lawt  trrm  iif  KiiMMJaii- 

Aiiiniiaii  ( 'oiii|iaiiy  ami   jn'i  iml  itl'  I  iillt'il  Slalt-s  iniit  rnl  >  alioiit  i  ...       '2\'J.  21)1 
(  Sir 'I'alilf  III  annual  Uillin<;.^ 
In  IH(\S  tlifio  wire  lakfn  all", lit I'lo,  (mni 

(I'llllllll,   (    IMI.SIIS     lii'lliilt,   |».   "(•.) 

Ill  18(111  tliiTi'  w.if  lakili  a  limit 1^7,  (HK) 

(  llliitltt,   t    CIISIIS    I,'<'|Mil  t.    |>.   7".) 

AluMka  (' imn  i   '  '    .mpany.  |x7(>  to  Is.**!!  ( Iml  li  incliisivi'i,  ^dyt-ars.    1,  K|(i.  :ttU 

(I'arli:iiin-nlai\    1    i|mt  |  ( '.  tliltl.^  |,  ]>.   I."),  i  

Total,  IT'.t!    1.    iK.s'.(  ,;ti  \,.ais; 1,4:i!».  i;U 

Average  mnnial  .slii|.nj -nt  of  skin.-* 4  <,  TW 

133  Sour'    '  <>f  Injormntion  I'tiliznl  in  t/ir  ahorc  Tiihlts. 

772.  17S«;  SiicliUotV  -|iM»t«'(l  by  I'.iiiicrort,  v«»l.  xxxiii.  p.  I!»2)  s(;Wt'.s 
that   Id.OIMI  sKiiis  w,  ,«'  >»«ctiH'il  in  tlic  fust  yt-iir  mI"  limit iiiu. 

77.'!  17S7  t<»  IMm;.  'Ijikini;  IN'saiioll'.s  tv-tiiiKilc  «i|'  totnl  killing;  of  .>«'iils 
(III  Piili.vlotr  l.sl.iiiiU  to  (siiilat  1,0(10.00(1,  till- ;iii!iiial  Uilliii^  <liii  iii^:  t  iii.s 
licriod  seems  to  Iia\f  a\»'ra;^f(l  alxiut  iiO,000,  tlioii;;li  known  to  liave 
ix'Cii  iii('<;tilar  rinin  year  to  year. 

774.  1.S07  to  ISKi.  Ill  ISi7  \'«iiiamiiiov".s  account  of  ninnhcr  of  seals 
killed  on  i'rihyloil'  islainls  he;riii"*.  N"  exact  data  have  lieeii  toiind  Cor 
the  years  between  isixi  jind  that  dale,  but  Iroiii  the  li^jun's  (|iioted  in 
llanerolt's  History  (vol.  \x\iii.  |t.  lISi  from  Mateiialiii  Istor  Kiiss.  h 
nni^h  a|>proxiniatioii  may  be  ani\cd  at  of  aiinnal  Uilliiios  in  r>eiM'in<; 
Sea  from  17l."ito  fsi."_'.  a  period  e\leiHliii^' from  the  lie^iinnin;;  ol  sealin;; 
for  .seventy-six  years.  'Die  total  number  ol  skins  olitaiiied  in  this 
]»eriod  was,  aci'oidinj;  to  the  above  tlLinres,  i'..'>L!  I..">(;i.  Deiinetiii^  from 
this  V(!iiianiiiiov's  li-iires  for  seals  kilU'd  on  the  I'ribylolf  Ishiiids  from 
1S17  tolS2li  (botli  iiirliisivei,  the  niimber  remaiiiiiij;  Ibr  the  years  174."» 
to  ISKJ  (both  iiielusix  e)  is  L'.0.'»(;,,H.so.  or  an  averaji*'  of  'JS.!»7(»  per  annum. 
This  of  (;uiu'se  includes  skins  taken  on  th(^  Oommiinder  Islands,  with 
some  obtained  from  native's  in  trade  elsewhere.  Ii  also  imlmles  tiie 
years  174r)t<»  178.~»  antecedent  to  the  discovery  of  the  I'ribylolf  Islands, 
diirinji"  which  it  is  known  that  more  than  '.)3,(M»0  fur  seal  skins  were 
obtained,  chielly  from  the  Commander  Islands  (liaiicrolt,  pp.  1 1  l-l'.M  ). 
It,  however,  docs  not  iiK-lude  seals  killed  for  food  on  the  I'riliyiolf 
Islands,  and  of  which  the  skins  were  not  kept.  It  thus  appears  jnoba- 
ble  that,  allowinji'  the  dilfeieiices  in  ojiposite  senses  to  offset  each  other, 
the  total  aveiiifxc  annual  killiii};  on  the  Tribylolf  Islands  from  lso7  to 
ISKi  (bo*h  inclusive)  was  not  far  from  ."{(MlOO. 

Another  appioyimate  value  for  the  killinjis  in  these  years  maybe 
obtained  from  Tecl.iiinon's  figures,  which  are  otlicial,  and  are  (pioted 
by  Klliott. 

Teiliminon'  <,'ives  the  total  shipments  for  the  years  17J)8  to  IHlil  (both 
inclusive)  as  I.L'.)L.'..'!7  I.*     lOlliolt  states  that  aliont  r»,000  of  this  amount 

"  UaiuTdlt,  lio\vtv«!r,  nivrs  tlio  linun-s  for  17!t!l  to  1S21  (hoth  inclusive)  us  1,707,340 
(p.  418),  and  iiu  e.vplaniition  buH  been  I'uuiid  of  this  discrcjiaucy. 


,    ■! 


196 


UF.rORT   OF    UKITISII    rOMMIHSIONKRS. 


ouch  y«':»r  r:imi' CnMii  (lu>  <%)iiiiii;mi<1<>i'  Islands.  DiMliictitifr  Mh'Ho  and 
also  (lie  skills  ;it((»iiiih'<l  lor  l»y  \  ciiiiimiiuiv  lor  IS|7  to  IS'J!  (holli  inclu- 
sive), tlif  :iv«'niL;<- iiiiiiual  |ini(lii('l  ill  sUiiislVoni  IIm>  i'l  iltyiotj'  Islands  jh 
found  to  lic  1 1,  IDS.  riic  pci'ioil  llins  accounted  lor  incindcs  only  nin<^ 
years  aiiti'ccdcnl  to  I  lu'  period  Itc^^imiin;;  willi  IS(»7.  w  liicli  it  is  wished 
to  Iniil^c.  It.  is  pi'olialdy  nearer  llie  fact,  tor  tliese  years  lliaii  tin'  lore- 
piiiij^  eslinial«>,  wit  li  which  it,  however,  a|;rees  fairly  well.  It  also  tallies 
well  w  ith  lln>  earlier  yt>ars  of  N'eiiiaininov's  talile.  Tecliininoll's  limires 
do  not  include  seals  Killed  for  food  or  otherwise  of  which  the  skins  wern 
not  kept,  but  il  i^  scarcely  prooable,  even  incliidinjj:  tlM'se,thal  Iheaver- 
ap>  annual  killiii!;  on  llie  I'rihylolV  Islands  for  the  years  in  tpiestioii 
leaclictl  ."i(t,(t(i(t.  It  may  rcasonalily  l)e  assumed  toha\el)e«Mi  helween 
•{."•.(XMl  ami  .)(t,(UU»,  or,  say,  ITtfiOO."  As  in  the  years  hd'ore  I.S(»7,  lll(^ 
iiunilter  killed  from  y<'ar  tt)  year  is,  howevei',  known  to  have  Iuh'u 
irregular. 

77.">.  1S17  (o  IS.'l7.  'The  II f;u res  for  theses  yj-ais  are  Veniaminov's,  as 
nscerlaiiu'd  by  Mr.  lHliolt  liom  an  inspection  of  ShiseiicUolV's  Joiiiiial, 
and  includes  jiiips  in  the  iiumb»>rs  ^'.ivi'ii  for  IS.'J.'i-.'Sd.  It  may,  therefore, 
])roliably  be  assumed  that  pups  are  included  throughout. 

77(».  1S;{S  lo  lSiH>,  'I'lio  ti^iiri's  for  thesis  years  are  taken  fr<»in  tho 
Correspondence*  relatinjj  to  I'ur  seal  I'Mshories,  ]iriute<l  in  \Vasliin;;toii 
in  IS'.Mt. 

777.  ISdl.  r.ancroft's  total  tor  years  ISlLMM  (both  iiM'lusive.)is;{;{S,(l(t(). 
The  total  for  years  ISIL'  (iO  (both  iiicliisive)  is  ;!(>S,lt(tl.  This  beiu^' 
tied  lie  led  lid  III  total  lor  ISI'J  (il  ;;ivcs  the  number  of  seals  taken  in  I  St;  I. 

77S.  ISdL'.  i:ili»)tt  (p.  l(»r»)  {iivesihe  total  catch  tor  ISlLMl'j  (both  inclii- 
si\e)  as  ;57L',S!i|.  Uarcroft's  total  for  ISfJ-til,  .•;;{S,»;(l(>,  beiu;;  ilmlucted 
iVoiii  this  Slim  ,i;ivcs  the  number  ot"  seals  taken  in  ISdi*. 

77!>.  ISti'J  to  lS(i7.  Koth  inclusivi',  beinj;'  years  o\'  inlerre^^nuin  be- 
twi'on  last  term  of  Ivussian  .Vmerican  (-om|)any  and  Hnited  Slates 
control  of  IMibylolV  Islands,  have  been  tilled  hypot helically  by  lHliotl, 
ulio  explains  I  hat,  j;  aided  by  informatiou  obtained  Iroin  the  natives,  lii^ 
has  proportioned  the  niiinl)cr  of  skins  in  the  salt  houses  on  the  islands 
in  1S(;7  (lb,0(l(l  to  IS.OiKt)  back  to  the  lalesf  tii^iires  <ii\e!i  by 'riM-limiuoll' 
(IStil).  'riu>  tiLiiin's  tor  these  years  are  tliei't'fore  far  from  satisfactory. 
A  more  compU'te  examination  of  the  subject  has  enabled  moderately 
exact  liiiures  to  be  obtained  from  IS(;i  and  1SII2,  as  explained  abovt^, 
whilt'  Ibyaiil  uives  the  number  for  ISil7  as  7o,()llO  (.Mien,  "  Monoi^raph 
of  Noilli  Ainciiv'a  IMuiicpcdia,"  p.  .{SI*);  but  for  the  years  lS»i.'{  to  IStW* 
I'.Uiolt's  approximate  estimates  must  still  be  taken,  it  is  to  bo 
I'M  presumed  that  tlicsi'  li<;ures  represent  only  marketable  skins,  not 
iucludiiii;'  puji  skins  and  other  rejected  skins.  .\s  contiriiiat(My 
of  the  approximate  I'orrei'tness  of  these  estimates,  Dall  may  be(pn»te(l. 
AN  ritin^''  in  1S(!S  ^.Vlaska  ami  its  Resources,  p.  4!U!),  he  says  that  of  late- 
years  the  Kiissians  hail  not  been  allowed  to  take  more  than  r»(),(KM) 
annually.  Bryant,  (juoted  by  Allen,  refei  riiijj;  to  this  same  period,  says 
that  f(  r  many  pre\  imis  ycais  the  IJiissians  took  but  few  seals,  but  the 
luunbei'  has  incri'asi'd,  so  that  in  (uu'  year  40,000  were  taken.  (Mono- 
grai)h  oi'  North  America  Pinnepcdia,  p.  .'{SD.) 

780.  IStiS  aud  lSii;>.  The  tijjiues  for  these  years  are  those  };iveu  in 
Elliott's  Census  l\eport,  p.  70,  aud  are  doubtless  the  most  trustworthy 
that  can  be  procured. 

7S1.  18V0.  The  lijiure  for  this  year  incliules  pups,  4,000,  and  a  large 
luimber  of  rejected  skins,  (Ex.  l^c.  Mo.  S3,  44tb  Congress,  Ist  Stosiou, 
p.  t>o.) 


RKroiJT  or  ituriiHii  commihsionkks. 


197 


IH71    Ui   ISS!».  Tlio   (l^iiniH  lor    llic^o  vcars  wt-n-  i:\lr\i   (Vniii   <"<trro 
NpoiiilriHUi    icliiiiii^    l<»    I'.clii  ilia's    Sea  sciil    I'islici  it  s,    l';ii  li;i!ii«'iil.iiy 
l*ii|H'r  |( '.  (t^WtS],  p|).  4  1-47,  uikI  inclii(l<'  nil  sciils,  otlin  lliiin  piip^,  killc<l 
(or  any  piiiposc     l"'roiii  IHTO  to  ls,s'>  (hotli  inrliisive), '.)L',h*''  i»iil).s  Wiiie 
killcil  lot'  I'ooil,  Sill  tivcru;;c  untiiial  killiiij^  ol'  \,i>\'.i. 


jveu  lu 
jworthy 

[i  large 
kosiou, 


VI.— TTlSTOUIOAT.    NoTKa    ON    TIIK    ToNlJlTION    OF    THK    FcrU  SKAT. 
IIOOKI'.KIKH  OK   TIIK    IMtlllY  I.OI  I"    ISI.ANDH    IN    \'AI;i<i|;H    YlOAIfH.* 

T.'^'J.  17S(i.  rrihyloH"  (liMcovcicd  flic  isiaiids  now  known  l>y  hin  narno 
in  .liiiK' of  tliiH  year.  \\v  rctnrncd  to  tlm  Asiatic  <(iast  wilii  .'il,IO(M°iir- 
sca!  skins.  It.  is  elsewhere  lecordcd  that  ahont  .|(>,(KtO  Ini  seal  skins  in 
all  wert'  taken  (»n  llic!  islands  in  liiis  year.  ( l!anei<»rt,'s  works,  vol.  xxxiii, 
pp.  1^"-    "•  \  i'.l.',,) 

in  tlie  llrst  years  (after  the- discds  cry  of  I  lie  islands),  tlir  seals  in  St. 
(leor;;c  Island  were  only  live,  or  six  limes  less  tiian  tlio-eon  St.  I'aid, 
/.  c,  e(pial  foonesi\tli  or  one  seventh  of  tiioseon  Ht.  I'anl.  (V'enia- 
niinov,  (|notcd  \)y  liiliotl  in  Census  hepnrt,  p.  I'I7.) 

l''roni  17.S(>  to  I7!I7  or  I7!K>,  several  Cunipanies  were  cn^aj.;ed  in  takinpj 
seals,  witliont  eonnl.  or  list.  Venianiinov  e,>linial<'s  I  hal  .".ti.(((K»  to  (iO,U()0 
skins  \v(^rt^  obtained  annnally  on  St.  I'aid  and  lo.tMio  to  ."idjMiO  on  St. 
(Icorjjo.  He  characterizes  tiiis  as  ''liorrilde  killin;,'.'"  ((^noted  by 
lllliott.     Census  l:e|Mirl,  pj).  7(t,  I  10.  and  I  17.) 

7S,'!.  171t!>.  The  islands  came  under  the  control  of  the  i'nited  Ameri- 
can Company,  which  was  or}.janiz('(l  at  Irkntsk  in  .\n;,ni>l  I7!IS. 

7SI.  1S(K».  I''irst  year  of  control  of  IJnssian  Ameii<;an  (!ompany,  an 
out  ;;rowtli  of  the  last,  orj,fani/,ed  in  17!>!>. 

7S,"».  ISO.'J.  r.aianolV  ordered  r.aiiner  to  t;<)  to  tiie  I'riiiyloll"  Inlands, 
which  "had  not  been  visited  for  many  years"  (by  traders),  and  wher'e 
avast  nnml»er  of  skins  mnst  have  been  accnniniated  by  tiie  natives. 
(I'.ancroft,  p.  417.) 

7.St>.  ISOJ.  IJelween  ISOl  and  1S(M,  t  lie  l.'nssian  .\nierican  Company 
ai'c  sai<l  to  haveaecninnlalcd  aliiait  .s(((I,(M»((  skins,  many  of  which  rotted 
for  want  of  care.     (Mancidft.  p.  477.) 

7S7.  l.S()r>.  Venianiiiiov  states  that  no  care  as  to  the  preservation  of 
seal  lifo  on  tlie  islands  was  (jxcrcised  till  this\eai'.  (Census  l.'cport, 
p.  111.) 

ISOti.  I'esanoll' visited  St.  I'anl  Island  in. Inly,  lie  found  that  a  very 
wasteful  killiii;;'  of  s<'als  had  been  in  pro;:ress,  that  .'Ki.OOd  had  been 
killed  for  their  llesh  alone,  w  hihmver  l.Odd.iino  in  all  had  been  killed  n|> 
to  date.  He  was  informed  tiiat  the,  seals  had  deci-eased  1M»  per  cent,  in 
nnniber  since  tlieearlier  years,  and  concbided  that  if  the  >laii;,Miter  was 
not  reduced  u  few  years  would  witness  extirpation,  lie  ordered  the 
killinj;  to  be  stopped;  but  from  the  season  of  his  \  isit  it  is  certain  that 
some  seals  had  bet^n  killed  in  1800  l)efoi'e  his  arrival.  (Ijancroft,  pp. 
44").  44<}.) 

7SS.  1800-1807.  Following  l{esaiK)fl''s  order,  no  seals  were  killed  on 
the  I'riiiyloll'  Islands  during  these  years  (witii  the  jtroliable  exception 
above  noted).  Nearly  all  the  natives  were  removed  to  L'naiaska. 
(Census  Jieport,  p.  140.) 

*  Nott'8  ^iveu  below  wliidi  linvo  imt  lircn  tlrrivcd  from  jnililiHlicd  ripditn  mih!  ilocu- 
uieuts,  but  buve  betiu  obtaiiiuii  lui  a  icatilt  ul'  uur  own  iiii|uii'icd,  uru  iuuluiitid  io 
brackets,  tliua  [      ]. 


198 


KKPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS, 


780.  ISOS.  Ivilliiiji  was  i-ccoihtiumkIcmI  on  St.  (loorftc  and  in  ISKtalso 
on  St.  Taiil,  bnt  not  till  1.S12  did  it  anioniit  to  half  the  numbci'  kilh'd  in 
fornier  years.  I't-niahis  as  well  as  males  were  taken.  Killiiii;'  witliont 
proper  supervision  continued  Ironi  this  time  till  LSl'li.  (Veniaminov, 
quoted  by  IJlliott.     Census  Ive])ort,  p.  1  JO.) 

7t>0,  lvS17.  Tiie  fur  seals  on  St.  Cieorj-c  were  estimated  to  amount  to  a 
quarter  of  thoseon  St.  Paul;  sealson  the  latter  island  bavinj;  decreased 
more  in  proixutiou.  ( W'niaminov,  quoted  by  Elliott.  Census  Jicjtort, 
p.  U7.) 


135 


?.\\.  1817  to  1837.  A  cradual  diminution  of  seal  life  on  the 


ishmds  state<l  to  have  l)ecn  in  i)i'of»'iess  in  these  years,  visible  in 
each  year,  but  not  always  eciual,  accoidinj;  to  \eiMaminov.  This  is  mIso 
indicated  by  Veniaminov's  quoted  iigures  of  annual  catch.  (Census 
lieport,  i»i).  113,  117.) 

7DL'.  IMI'IK  Veniaminov  (;haracterizes  the  annual  killiii},'  of  o(),()()0 
seals,  wliich  occurred  at  about  this  date,  as  excessive  ami  leadinj^'  to 
dimunition.     (Census  J{ei»ort,  p.  117.) 

7!t3.  ISL'L*.  First  year  of  second  term  of  Kussian  American  Comi)any. 
IMoorayveff  ordered  the  killinj;-  to  be  limited,  so  that  instead  ol'  l(l.O(K> 
or  50,000  not  more  than  .s,(loo  or  10.000  were  taken.  (This  ai»j»ears  to 
refer  to  St.  I'aul  Island  onlv.)     (Census  IJeport,  j).  110.) 

7!H.  18L'2  to  ISLM.  Tciioi"!  of  rest  or  restricted  killin.y  on  St.  Paul. 
(Veniaminov,  quoted  by  lllliott.     Census  l{ei>ort,  j).  I4L.'.) 

71)5.  1821.  Stated  that  between  18i'L»-18L'4  the  seals  on  the  islands 
were  estinmted  to  have  doubled  in  number.  (I\e])ort  upon  the  Condi- 
tioji  (►f  Affairs  in  Alaska,  p.  107.) 

7tK».  18li0-1827.  l>oth  years  inclusive.  Period  of  rest  or  restricted 
killing;-  on  St.  (ieorye  Island.  (Veniaminov,  quoted  by  Elliott.  Census 
Peport,  1).  111.) 

7'.)7.  J8-().  Veniaminov  states  that  the  sealson  St.  Cieor;^f  equalled 
ab  )ut  one  sixth  those  on  St.  Paul,  those  on  St.  (icorj-e  haviiij;'  increased 
m«»re  in  [)roportion  since  1S17.  Also,  that  ChesryokholV,  estimatin.if 
that  the  seals  had  doubled  in  number  as  a  icsnlt  of  restrictive  meas- 
ures, ordered  10,000  to  be  Jdlled  annually.  Ibit  \vitii  all  jxjssible  etibrt 
this  number  could  not  be  obtained.  (Jreater  caution  in  killing;'  lemales, 
<S:c..  was  ordered,  but  the  innnber  of  seals  on  the  islands  ncNcrtheless 
renmint'd  stationary,  or  continiied  t(»  decrease.  (Veniaminov,  <iuoted 
by  Elliott.     Census  Ivcport,  pp.  110,  117.) 

70S.  ISaL*.  \'eniaminov  inci(lenlally  states  that  in  this  year  an  exces- 
sive niMubcr  of  lemales  uerc  oloerved  on  the  islands  without  younjj^. 
((Rioted  by  Mlliott.     Census  Iteport,  p.  11 1.) 

700.  is.ll.  'I'lic  numl»er  of  seals  to  i»e  taken  at  St.  Paul  was  largely 
reduced,  the  killinji'  beiny  limited  to  about  1.000  instead  of  about  IL'.OOO. 
(Veiiiamino\,  quoted  by  lOlliott.  <'ensus  Peport.  ]».  112.)  I'rom  N'cnia- 
minov's  table  the  redin-tion  ordered  in  lS3t  took  ell'ect  only  in  1S35. 
This  restor  "za[M)oska"  continued  on  St.  Paul  Island  duriii,i;  183r»,  1S3(I, 
ami  1S37. 

800.  IS.'!,").  I  li.  Astomonolf,  a  native  on  St.  Paul  I-iJand,  informed  us 
that  he  remembered  beini>'  at  Northeast  Point  in  this  year,  when  the 
liussians  allowed  only  seven  seals  a-day  to  be  killed  there  for  food.] 

IS.'jO.  Elliott,  from  inlbrnmtion  received  from  nativeson  the  Pribylolf 
Islands,  states  that  the  winter  (»f  1835-30  was  cxceedinjuly  seveic. 
Circat  (luantiries  of  ice  suridunded  tnc  islands,  and  icmained  heaped 
on  the  shores  till  August  1S.')(;.  A  uresit  nxntality  of  seals  resulted,  so 
that,  a<'cordin;;  to  native  count,  oidy  1.100  seals  of  all  classes,  exclusive 
of  pups,  remained  ou  the  rookeries  of  St.  I'aul.    (Census  Keport,  p.  41).) 


HEPOHT    OF    UWITISII    COMMISSJONEKS. 


V.)9 


lalU'd 
'iiscd 

iiicas- 
ertort 

iialcs, 
u'lcss 

1  noted 


NCnia- 

is;ir., 

;  is;ui, 

i('(l  us 
Ml  the 
..l.l 

•ih.vioir 

severe. 
u'ai)i'<l 
ttMl.  so 
•liisivo 
p.  4'J.) 


Mr.  IClIiott  lias  intorined  us  that,  a»'('or<1iii,u  to  a  Journal  by  the  Kev.  K. 
Shisenekoli',  only  KM)  hollnschickic  were  <»titiiiMed  in  1S,;(;,  the  ri'Miainder 
of  th«^  catch  for  this  year  l»cin.u'  jnips.  IJiyanr,  also  accdnlin.i;  to  native 
evidence,  <;ives  the  date  of  this  destruction  of  seals  as  l.SlL'.  (Alien, 
MonoyTai»h  of  North  American  IMnnipeds.  p.  .'}.SS.) 

S(H.  1.S4L'.  First  year  of  third  term  of  Jfnssian  Anu'riean  Company. 
Bancroft  states  that  a  system  of  "alternation"'  in  huntinji-  ^iiounds  was 
adopted,  which,  in  the  <'ase  of  the  Pribylolf  Islands,  h'd  to  {•reat  increase 
of  uundters  of  seals.     (Bancroft's  Works,  vol.  xxxiii,  j).  o8l'.) 

SOi*.  l.U'J  to  18()1  (inclusive).  The  liiissian  American  Company's  ship- 
ments showed  a  heavy  decrease  in  fur  seal  (and  other)  skins,  as  com- 
l»aied  with  the  ])recedinf;'  i>eriod  of  twenty  years.  This  is  maiidy 
attributed  to  the  encroaclnnent  of  forei;.;ii  traders — particularly  Amer- 
ican whalers,     (liaucroft's  Works,  vol.  xxxiii,  |).  r»S2.) 

S(>;{.  istr».  The  j^reat  im[)ortance  of  never  disturbing  the  breeding 
seals  was  first  recognized  in  this  year.     (Census  IJeport,  ]).  1  t.i.) 

801.  ist7.  Up  to  this  date  luales  and  fenndes  had  be«'n  killed  indis- 
criminately lor  skins;  tliereafter  oidy  males  were  killed.  (Census 
Keport,  p.  4'J.) 

.Sii.").  ISCiL*  to  18(57  (both  inclusive).  Interregnum  on  Pribylolf  Islands 
following  the  close  of  the  Russian  American  Company's  tiiird  term. 

S(KJ.  l.SOL'.  Techmainoif  says,  nMerring  to  this  year:  "In  eailier  times 
moie  (seal  skins)  were  taken  than  in  tlie  later:  at  ])resent  tiiere  are 
taken  fnun  the  Island  of  St.  Taul  1(>,(I()(>  annually,  without  dinnnishing 
the  nund»er  for  future  killing;  on  St.  (leorge,  <!,(»()(»."  (Quoted  by 
Elliott.     Census  lvei)ort,  ]».  Ki.J.) 

-SOT.  18(>7.  ]5ryant  speaks  of  the  Jndici(ms  administration  and 
l.'U)  gradnal  increase  of  seal  lile  ori  the  islands  under  the  Russian 
rule  for  many  years  previous  to  tliis  date.  In  the  spring  of  l.S«;7, 
however,  tlu;  Russians,  knowing  that  the  islands  were  about  to  bo 
surrendered  to  the  United  States,  took  a  much  iiu-reased  number  of 
seals,  amounting  to  7.'t,00().  (Monograph  of  North  American  Rinnii»eds, 
p.  ;!.S9.) 

HOS.  ISfiS.  Following  the  cession  of  Alaska  to  tiie  United  States  iu 
1S(;7  a  i)eriod  of  lawlessness  ensued  on  the  Pril»ylotf  Islands,  ami  iu 
18<iS  a  very  great  number  of  seals  was  killed.  The  number  so  killed  iu 
this  year  "is  estimated  at  L'-lL'.tiOO  by  Kliiott;  at  L'ot >,(»(»(>  by  liryant. 
KMval  Companies  were  at  work,  and  the  killing  ai)pears  to  have  goneon 
without  count,  list,  or  supervision.  In  the  autnjnn  of  this  year,  however, 
(Congress  i)assed  a  special  Resolution,  lu'ohibiting  the  killing  of  seals 
until  furtlier  iiction  of  (Congress,  (('ensus  K'eport,  j).  L'o.)  liryant 
states  that,  previous  to  1 8(18,  the  selection  of  seals  killed  h:id,  umler  the 
Russian  icgime,  been  lett  to  the  natives,  and  that  most  of  those  killed 
were  under  3  years  of  age,  including  many  yearlings.  ^I'lu^  killing 
being  from  this  nunc  nunuMous  class  jileiity  of  males  were  hdt  to  reach 
maturity,  and  the  rookeries  were  well  snpplie»l  with  active  nudes.  The 
males  of  all  ages  not  engaged  in  actual  breeding  weri^  about  equal  iu 
nund)»'r  to  the  combiiu'd  totals  of  beachmasters  and  females  so  engaged. 
Of  these  exclnded  nudes  about  30  jier  cent,  were  virile,  and  there  was 
thus  one  ethciei  t  male  to  every  three  or  four  females,  or  al)ont  three 
times  as  many  u^  actually  recpiired.  As  a  conse(iuen(;e,  all  females 
were  served  before  the  10th  August.  (Mom)graph  of  North  Ainerican 
Pinnii)eds,  ]>]».  MOO,  ;5!)8,  vV:c.) 

[Messrs.  I).  Webster  ami  T.  F.  Morgan  were  on  the  island  in  this 
year.  They  informed  us  that  the  seals  were  ch'bbed  then  as  im)w,  lire- 
arms  being  used  only  in  self  defence  among  the  rival  sealers.    The  kill- 


I 


mam 


200 


KKPOHT    OF    BRITISH    COM.MISSIONKRS. 


ill};  was  diroctcMl  to  yomii:'  inalos, l)ut  about  40, (KM)  foiiialc";  wore  kill('({ 
iiiadvoitciitly.  Tln'  limit  to  tin'  iuuiiIkt  liilltMl  was  rraclicd  only  wlit-ii 
salt  was  »'\li;iiistc«l.  Seals  wcic  uunv.  aldiiidaiit  at  this  time,  tiiaii  cvci- 
siii('«>.  It  also  ai)iH'ars  tiiiit  tlie  immbors  above  qiioti'd  as  represent injj 
seals  killed  in  this  year  do  not  include  St.  (leor<;(  Island,  where  som»5 
.'iO.OOd  skins  are  snitjiosed  to  have  been  taken.] 

.so'.i.  lS(;;i,  Praetieally  indiseri-ninate  killinjjf  ajipear-s  to  have  eon- 
tinned  in  this  year,  thoiiiili  it  is  stated  that  seals  were  taken  only  tor 
the  subsistence  «d"  the  niitives.  and  luaU'r  directioTi  of  liie  Treasury 
l)e]>artnient.  ((Jeiusus  Iiejjort,  ]>.  L'o.)  The  gentlemen  in  cliarfjedo  not 
seem  to  have  known  the  innuber  of  seals  actually  killed.  Aj^ent 
Wicker  stilted  that  l.")(».00(»  skins  had  been  taken  on  the  two  islands. 
Ibyant  states  that  this  was  impossible,  as  when  he  left  the  islands  in 
An^iust  oidy  1(»,(I0()  skins  had  been  obtiiined.  Melntyre,  says  that, 
under  the  orders  j^iven  by  him,  4L'..')17  seals  were  to  be  killed  for  food 
on  the  two  islands.  Major-deneral  Thomas  al'terwai'ds  oidered  that  as 
many  seals  as  should  be  requiicd  for  native  food  be  killed.  (United 
States  SeiKite,  Ex.  Doe.  No.  :VJ.  1 1st  ("oh^mcss,  L'nd  Session,  i)p.  2-4.  .'{7.) 

In  eonsequenee  of  this  siauuhter  in  lS(iS-('»!>.  seals  aic  reported  to 
hav«'  "  disapi>eared  rapi<lly  frnin  the  I'ribyloll'  Islands,  but  two  or  three 
yearvS  later  bejian  to  return  in  vast  nund)ers"  (liaucrolt's  works,  vol. 
xxxiii.  ]).  tl.'iS).  C^oincidently  with  this,  Bryant  stiites  that  fur-seals  were 
very  abundant  alon;;'  the  coasts  of  Orejion,  Washinjiton  Territory,  and 
British  Cohunbia  as  complied  with  former  years  (.^I(Ulo,n•ral)h  of  Xorth 
American  IMnnipeds.  p.  o.'Jl').  Uryant  estimated  the  total  nund)er  of 
seals  on  the  islands  at  this  date  at  ;5,'J;{(>,<H)(I.  (.Monoj^raph  of  North 
American  Pinnipeds,  pp.  IVM),  ;>!)2.) 

]\Iclutyre,  (lovernnieiit  Ajuent,  after  statin^'  that  for  some  years  su(!- 
ceedin<r  the  discovery  of  the  Pribylolf  Jslands  KM), ()(»()  skins  were 
annually  taken  by  the  lJu>sians.  adds,  '•  Ibit  this  it  seems  was  toolary;e 
a  numix'r.  for  the  decrease  in  t  lie  yearly  return  w:is  constant  until  1S4L*, 
when  they  had  become  nearly  extinct.  In  185S,  ;il,.SO()  were  taken, 
which  was  the  lar^u'est  catch  in  any  one  year  until  18(17,  when,  as  1  am 
informed,  SO.OOO  or  100. ()()()  were  secured.  From  the  most  (careful  eoni- 
l)utation  1  have  been  able  to  make,  1  am  of  the  ojtiuion  that  no  more 
ilian  100.000  can  be  taken  annually  without  ineurriufj  the  risk  of  ajjain 
diminishiiifj  the  yearly  production."'  (United  States  Senate,  Ex.  J)oc, 
No,  .'>!•,  41st  (Jonj>ress,  L'nd  Session.) 

The  Alaska  ('ommercial  ('omi)aiiy  was  incorporated  in  this  year. 

810.  IS70.  The  jit'ueral  conditions  of  seal  lifeon  the  islands  remained 
as  described  above  (under  1808).  according;'  to  Bryant. 

An   Act   was  passed  by  Ci)n«;ress  i)roviding'  that  seals  dd   be 

killed  on  the  Pril)ylotf  Islands  only  diirinji'  the  mouths  of  Juii(>,  .Inly, 
Septend)er,  and  Octolter,  thai  killin,!;'  should  l)e,  eontined  to  males,  and 
that  the  number  killed  for  skins  in  eacli  year  should  not  exceed  7."»,000 
on  St.  Paul  and  2."), ODD  on  St.  Georu'e.  Kes])ectin<;  the  number  thus 
tixed,  Dall  says:  '' It  is  probable  that  100,000  nu'--ht  be  safely  killed," 
but  su},',uests  that  the  numl)er  should  be  increased  or  diminished  as 
experience  proved  to  be  necessary.     (Alaska  and  its  Kesources,  pp. 

49(1.407.) 
1.'57  This  was  the  Alaska  Comm<M'cial  Company's  first  year  of  lease 

of  the  islaiiils,  but  no  full  control  was  achieved  till  1871.  Bryant 
states  that  in  tiiis  year  the  natives,  to  pun^hase  supplies  and  for  their 
own  Ibod,  killed  8r),00O.  m(»stly  I  and  2-year  old  seals.  (Alouograph  of 
North  Americau  Piuuipeds,  p.  398.) 


HEPOKT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


201 


Tln'  killiiii;-  MS  per  nilicial  IJrturii  made  up  in  ISTl,  liowcvor,  s1h»\vs  a 
total  ul"  l,'.'!,77;>.  iVoiii  wliicli  ".».'.».s,s  skins  in  all  wen'  sav<'<l,  tlie  ronialndor 
bcinji  pups  and  otlM-r  seals  killed  lor  food.  (House  of  Ivcpresentatives, 
Kx.  Doe.  No.  S,;,  IJtIi  (Jon;;r«'ss,  1st  Session.) 

ISII.  1S71.  It  was  <lisc()veie(l  that  the  skins  of  .'$-,  4-,  and  ii-year-old 
seals  were  most  in  demand,  and  the  kiliinu  was  ehan;;ed  to  suit  this 
demand;  but  no  material  eiian;;e  was  observed  in  the  habit.s  of  the 
seals.  (Monoj;rapli  of  North  American  l'iiinii)eds.  jt. .'{Kl'.)  Uryant  else- 
where says  that  a  earelul  eoiiiparison  of  this  year  with  l.S(H>  and  bsTO 
shows  a  deen'ase  of  JO  i)er  cent,  in  females.  (Ex.  Doc.  No.  83,  44th 
Congress,  1st  Session,  p.  •»."».) 

.S12.  ISTl*.  The  killing  was  directed  as  fai'  as  jmssible  to  seals  from  4 
to  (J  years  old.  and  soine  of  7  years  old  were  killed.  This,  taken  in  con- 
junction with  the  killinji' of  1S71.  diniinisiied  the  number  of ''reserves" 
or  virili!  males  not  actually  on  the  breeding;'  grounds,  but  doiuf^  duty 
alonj;  the  shores.  The  number  of  females  was  increasinff  ."i  i)er  cent, 
annually.     (Hryant  in  Moiioiiraph  of  North  American  I'innipeds.) 

Lieutenant  Maynard,  accepting  the  method  of  estimating  the  seals 
advocated  by  Elliott,  makes  the  whole  number  in  this  year  nearly 
(),()(Ki.(i()(>.  (ilouse  of  IJepiesentalives,  Ex.  Doc.  No.  t.J.  44th  Congress, 
1st  Session,  ]>.  5.)  l*'.lliott  estinmted  that  the  seals  on  St.  (ieorge  Island 
were  only  one  eighteenth  of  the  whole  number,  or.  as  eompaied  with 
those  on  St.  I'aul,  as  1  to  17.     (Census  I\eport,  ]>.  ir)7.) 

|Mi'.  Dirks  stated  to  us  that  in  this  year  it  seenu'd  as  if  the  killing 
of  10(1.000  seals  annually  could  not  injuriously  atl'ect  the  rookeries.] 

In  this  year  Captain  Lewis,  of  tlu^  Ilinlson's  I>ay  Company,  reported 
very  great  and  entirely  unprecedented  number  of  seals  otf  Vancouver 
Island  and  the  entrance  to  I'uca  Strait,  chiefly  gicy  inii)s  ami  year- 
lings. (Elliott.  Census  Keport. )).  KiO.)  This  appears  to  have  been  in 
connection  with  the  change  in  habits  observed  on  the  rookeries  in  the 
following  summer. 

.Sl.'J.  1S7.'J.  It  was  now  foun<l  that  the  Syear-old  seals  alforded  the 
l)est  marketable  skiirs,  ami  the  killing  was  directed  to  those.  The 
"reserves"  becan)e  reduced  to  half  their  former  number,  and  each  l)each- 
nnister  had  on  the  average  titteen  females.  When  the  rookeries  broke 
up  at  the  close  of  the  l)ree(ling  season,  the  females  lingered  instead 
of  leaving  them  as  before.  In  September  and  Octol)er  a  lew  young 
were  born,  showing  that  some  females  had  not  be«'n  serve<l  at  the  proper 
time  in  1S7L'.  The  females  were  still  increasing  .">  jter  cent,  annually  in 
miniber.     (Bryant  in  .Moiiograjjli  of  North  American  I'inni]ieds.) 

S14.  1874.  The  condition  ot  seal  life  n-mained  alxait  thc!  sanu;  as  in 
187.'!.  The  "reserves*'  were  in  about  the  sa:ne  numbers,  but  contained 
niori!  young  as  comitared  with  fully  mature  males.  The  fi'inalesajipeared 
in  similar  number,  and,  on  the  whole,  there  was  an  evident  inijirove- 
ment  in  the  ct)ndition  of  the  rookeries.  (Bryant  in  .Monograph  of  North 
American  PinnijH'ds.) 

An  Act  of  Congress,  approved  ]March  1.S74.  authorized  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  to  rearrange  the  ])roi)ortion  of  catch  to  be  taken  from 
St.  I'anl  and  St.  George  respectively,  ami  to  designate  the  months  of 
killing.  LTnder  this  provision,  the  time  of  killing  was  extende>l  to 
include  tlie  liist  half  of  the  month  of  August.  (Bancroft's  Works,  wA. 
xxxiii.  ]).  (».'?8.) 

Sir».  in  1874,  Tiieutenant  W.  Maynard.  IT.  S.  N..  invi'stigated  the  con- 
ditions of  seal  lile  on  the  rribylof!"  Islands  as  Special  (lovernment 
Agent.  He  recommended  that  enlarged  copies  of  maps  of  the  breeding 
grounds  should  be  furnished  to  the  agents  in  charge  of  the  islands, 


202 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


who  sIkhiM  be  nMiiiiicd  to  compare  tliese  eacli  year  with  the  respective 
hrecdiii};'  rookeiit's.  "Tliis,  if  caielully  done,  will  aHord  data,  after  a 
tiiiH',  by  wliieli  tlie  lisheries  eaii  be  rej-idated  with  co'iipaiative  cer- 
tainty." Ki'si^'ctin}-'  the  number  of  seals  killed,  he  says:  ''Since  1<S70 
there  liavebeen  kille<l  on  both  islands,  in  round  numbers,  llli,(K)(>  youufj 
male  seals  ea<;h  year.  Whetiier  this  slau<;hter  has  prevented  the  seals 
from  increasinjj:  in  number  or  not,  and,  if  so,  to  what  extent,  <'an  only  be 
deduced  from  their  pjist  history,  which,  unfortunately,  is  imperfectly 
known."  He  is  inclined  to  think  that  no  decrease  had  occurred  between 
1S7l'  and  1S7-J,  but  states  that  the  jjcriod  was  too  short  to  decide  w'iether 
the  killiny:  was  excessive.  He  adds:  ''The  niwnber  now  killed  annually 
is  entirely  exi)erimental,  and  we  have  nothinj;'  to  start  from  as  a  basis." 
Maynard  further  states  that  the  nund)er  of  bulls  in  this  year  was  not 
more  than  one-tenth  that  of  tlu'  fcmah'S.     (Ibuise  of  Jfepresentatives, 

Kx.  Doc,  No.  4.'?,  44th  <'on.uiess.  1st  Session,  pp.  o,  (J.) 
138  [Mr.  I).  Webster  states  "that  the  skins  taken  in  1874  and  1875 

ranged  in  weij;ht  from  0  lbs.  to  11  lbs.| 

I'^lliott  believes  that  the  number  of  seals  did  not  nuiterially  alter  in 
the  twelve  or  liltcen  years  previous  to  1S74.  He  estimated  the  number 
of  breedi'.ifj  seals  on  the  islands  at  .'J,r.i.i.4LM),  the  whole  number  of  seals 
on  the  islands  at  4,70(>,U()(>.     (Census  |{ej)ort,  pp.  .■)7-<i7.) 

SKI.  I.s7r».  Tiie  killinj^'  was  this  year  conlined  to  seals  less  than  5 
years  old,  and  moie  2  year  olds  were  taken  than  in  any  year  since  1870. 
This  lett  a  larjje  iiundu'r  of  males  to  mature.  Many  youufj  were,  how- 
evei',  born  as  late  as  Auj;ust.  (IJryant  in  Mono^^iaph  of  North  Ameri- 
can I'iunipcds.)  In  his  ollicial  Ifepoit  (or  this  year,  Bryant  protests 
a;;ainst  the  killinj;-of  ]»ups  for  food,  cliaracterizinji' itas  ''a  great  waste," 
and  addiii"',  "  1  can  IIimI  no  i)rc(cdent  for  this  i)revious  to  the  transfer 


of  the  island  to  the  I'nited  States,  oidy  that  the  former  Russian  Fur 
Ccunpany  allowed,  as  an  extra  iiidul<;'ence  to  the  natives,  after  the  close 
of  the  season's  sealing',  to  take  ."»(•(>  of  these  younj;  seals  for  feasting." 
(House  ol'  l{c[»rcsentatives,  lv\.  Doc.  No.  s;;,  44th  (.'ongress,  2ud  Session, 
p.  174.) 

IJryant  also  states  in  the  same;  IJeport  (p.  175)  that  a  residence  of 
seven  successive  seasons  on  the  islands  had  convinced  him  that  the 
killing  of  l(tO,(K)0  annually  did  not  leave  a  sullicient  nundjer  of  males 
to  mature  for  the  wants  of  the  increase  in  the  nundjcr  of  females.  He 
explains  liis  reasons  for  this  ia  some  detail. 

SI 7,  187(1.  No  markeil  change  in  the  conditions  this  year,  but  many 
females  landed  to  bring  forth  their  young  after  the  L'Uth  duly.  A  heav.y 
gale  with  snow  occurred  on  the  'MH\\  Octobei.  driving  seals  into  the 
water,  from  v.hich  only  a  small  number  returned,  many  pups  being  lost. 
Ilryant  anticipates  that  the  result  of  this  loss  will  api»ear  in  1880,  when 
the  i)ups  should  reach  maturity.  The  decreas(>  in  breeding  males,  con- 
se<puMit  on  excessive  slauglit»M-  of  ISo8  and  ISii'.i,  was  in  this  year 
greatest.     (IWyant  in  Monogiaph  of  North  Ameiican  Pinnipeds,  p.  39!).) 

Bryant  again  states  that  he  believes  tin;  number  100,000  fixed  for 
killing  to  have  been  too  high,  and  that  in  his  repeat  he  had  recom- 
mended that  it  be  reduced  by  1.5,000.  (House  of  Ifepresentatives,  Ex. 
Doc.  No.  023,  44th  Congress,  1st  Session,  l{ei)ort  on  Alaska  Commer- 
cial Company,  ]».  Kit.) 

flo..n  F.  Miller,  President  of  Board  of  Directors  of  Alaska  Commer- 
cial (!omi)any,  says:  "Our  agents  report  a  very  considtMable  increase 
in  the  number  (»f  females  since  1S7I.  We  cannot  tell  that  there  is 
nnich  increiise  in  the  nnnil»er  of  males.''  (lieport  on  the  Alaska  Com- 
mercial Compan.v,  j).  41.) 


REPOKT    OF    imiTISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


203 


5 


in  any 
heavy 
to  tlie 

If  lost, 
wlieii 

|8,  fOll- 

year 

|).39«).) 

h\  for 

reconi- 

is,  Ex. 

juimer- 

Inimer- 
Icrcase 
lore  is 
Com- 


SIS.  1S77.  l»ryaiit  states  that  this  year  thorewas  an  pvidont  incn'aao 
ill  tho  imiiilxT  of  l)i('«Mliny  males,  lie  estimates  that  tiiere  were  altoiit 
1,S(M),(MM>  hreediii;;-  seal,  on  the  islands,  as  ajjaiiist  1,1;{(),(MM)  in  l.S(>!>. 
(.Monoiiiaph  of  North  Anieriean  riiinii»e(ls,  p.  410.) 

Sl'.t.  187S,  |.Mr.  I).  Webster  infonned  ns  that  he  did  not  observe 
ninch  decrease  in  the  nnniber  of  seals  till  this  year.) 

Sl'O.  1S7J(.  [From  evidenee  obtained  by  us.it  ai)pears  that  in  this 
year  it  became  necessary  to  extend  the  area  of  diivinjf  for  the  tirst 
time,  so  as  to  im^lude  I'oloviiia  and  Tolstoi  rookeries,  and  that  the  salt- 
Intnse  near  I'oloviini  was  built  at  or  al)out  this  time.] 

SL'l.  18SI).  The  number  of  seals  on  the  Pribyloll  Islands  is  sai<l  to 
have  been  ;;ieater  tiian  ever  before,  the  im-rease,  beinj?  jtartienlarly 
observable  in  yonnj;'  seals.  (('ruis(!  of  the  "("oiwin'' in  ISSO,  p.  ")").) 
Colonel  .1.  Murray  elates  the  be^iiiniu};'  of  a  .steady  decrease  of  seals 
from  tliis  year.     (Senate,  K\.  Doc.  No.  49,  51st  Coiijrress,  L'nd  Session.) 

Sl'L*.  1881.  lOlliott,  in  his  report  printed  in  this  year,  strongly  pro- 
tests ajiaiiist  the  unnecessary  slaughter  of  pups  for  food  purposes. 
lie  states  in  the  same  report  that  the  breeding  rookeries  liave  been 
jj^radually  increasinj;  since  ls.")7.     (Census  Ke[)oit.  pp.  Ill),  170.) 

VV.  IJ.  Taylor.  Assistant  x\<;ent  of  Treasury  Department  on  iSt.  Paul 
in  ISS],  says  that  accordiiijLi  to  inlormation  received  from  those  who 
Innl  been  a  nuinl)er  of  years  on  tiie  Island  of  St.  (leor;;e,  there  were  as 
many  seals  there  as  ever.  (Mx.  Doc.  No.  .")88.?;  ."JOth  Congress,  2inl 
Session,  Fur  seal  Fisheries  of  Alaska,  p.  44.) 

8'_';!.  1882.  Dr.  II.  II.  -Mclntyre,  alter  .June  1870  Superintendent  <)f 
the  Seal  Fisheries  of  Alaska  for  the  lessees,  states  that  since  1870  the 
number  of  seals  on  the  I'ribylotf  Islands  has  increased  every  year. 
(Fur-seal  IMsheries  of  Alaska,]).  110.)  Speaking  in  1888  (see  under, 
1S88).  he,  however.  i>laces  the  bejiiniiing  of  decrease  in  this  year.  The 
same  jientleman  rei)oits  that  at  this  time  the  desired  number  of  large 
skins  could  no  h)n,s;ei  be  obtained.  (Fur  seal  Fisheries  of  Alaska,  p. 
118.) 

Mr.  Ct.  Wardman's  statement,  however,  resi)ecting  the  nnniber 
l.'i'J      of  '•  kiilables"'  on  St.  (ieorge   Island  indicates  a  decrease  in  the 
number  of  tiiis  class  as  between  1881  and  1882.     (Fur-seal  Fish- 
eries of  Alaska,  ]t.  .'50.) 

[Natives  on  St.  Paul  Island  informed  us  that  they  noticed  seals  to  bo 
maikedly  reduced  in  numl)er  in  this  year. | 

824.  188."{.  .lacob  11.  Monlton. Special  Agentof  the  Treasury  Depart- 
mei.t  on  the  Pribyloll  Islands  I'rom  1877  to  188,'i,  says  that  between 
1877  and  this  year  there  was.  he  thinks,  an  incrcas«>  in  the  number  of 
seals  on  the  Pribyloll'  Islands.     (l"ur  seal    I'islieries  of  Alaska,  p.  2.m  ) 

82."..  1884.  [Mr.T.  F.  Morgan  informed  us  that  from  1874  to  1884  he 
thought  the  seals  increased,  lie  mtticed  a  decrease  in  1884,  accom]>a- 
nied  with  an  irregularity  in  habits. | 

820.  188.1.  .Jacol)  II.  Moulton  stales  tiiat  between  188;{  and  this  year 
there  was  no  increase  of  seals  tui  the  islands.  (Fur-seal  Fisheries  of 
Alaska,  j).  2'),").) 

II.  A.  (lliddttu,  Agent  of  the  Treasury  Department  on  the  Pribylott' 
Islands  from  I8S2  to  188.5,  says  that  from  1882  to  1885  no  change  in  tin; 
number  of  seals  on  St.  Paul  was  noticed,  but  tiiey  vary  in  dilferent 
years,  esi)ecially  on  St.  (leorge.     (Fur  seal  I'Msheries  of  Alaska,  p.  27.) 

827.  1880.  (JeorgeP.  Tingle.  Treasury  Agentonthe  PriltylotF  Islands, 
states  that  a  freepient  inspection  of  the  rookeries  on  the  islands  showed 
a  decided  increase  in  the  numlter  of  c((ws,  with  an  ample  supply  of  bulls. 
("  Fur  seal  Fisheries  of  Alaska,"  p.  174.) 


204 


REPORT    OF    IlRITISn    COMMISSIONERS. 


SL'8,  ISSr.-ST.  (Icoifjc  U.  Tiii^ilc.  iisiii;;-  I'Jlu.tfs  m«'tli<i(l  of  cstiinjitinfj 
tlu'  st'iils,  iiiiil<«'s  ilic  iiiiinlicr  on  tilt'   I'rihylolV  Islands  (;,.'!."»7.7.""iO.     He 
stat«'K,  however,  that  he  considers  this  resiill  too  ;;i('at  by  aliont  one- 
fourth,  whieli  rednces  his  estimate  to  about  t,7(JS,;{()(>.     (Fur  seal  Fish 
eries  of  Alaska,  ]).  177.) 

[From  information  obtained  on  the  islands,  it  appeal's  that  the  reduc- 
tion in  average  weif^ht  of  skins  taken  was  well  recognized  in  these  two 
years.] 

.S-J1>.  1SS7.  [Mr.  T.  F.  Morgan  tohl  us  that  he  noticed  a  marked 
decrease  in  this  year.  In  this  or  tln^  ]>receding  year,  a(!conling  to  Mr. 
.T.  ('.  i;edpath,the  standard  weight  of  skins  was  lowered  to  enable  the 
Company  to  complete  its  (piota.] 

.S.'{(>.  l.SSS.  Dr.  11.  H.  Mclntyre,  Superintendent  for  Alaska  Commer- 
cial Comjtany  at  the  time  on  tln^  islands,  states  that  the  number  of  seals 
has  dc(rreased  since  1.SS2;  that  the  rookerii's  do  n<tt  produce  enough  to 
bear  the  killing  of  "100,000  by  marauders  in  addition  to  the  100,000 
killed  lawfully."  He  reconunends  that  the  permission  a('(M)rded  to 
initives  of  killing  seal  pups  for  food  should  be  rescinded,  and,  sjieak- 
ii'g  particularly  of  1SS8,  says:  ''There  are  at  i)resent,  in  my  opinion,  too 
lew  bull  seals  to  keep  the  rookeries  up  to  their  best  condition." 

lie  adds,  further,  that  the  size  of  skins  ruled  still  smaller  than  in 
18S;}.    (Fur-seal  Fisheries  of  Alaska,  pi».  110,  117,  IL'7.  1:52.) 

In  the  same  year  T,  F.  Morgan,  in  the  enqdoyniciit  of  the  Alaska 
(^onunercial  (.\)m])any,  says  that  there  had  iieen  a  large  increase  in  the 
inunber  of  seals  on  the  islands  since  1  SOS,  and  also  sinc-e  187-4.  The 
breeding  rookeries  occupied  more  territ(n\v. 

8.  M.  Biiynitsky,  Special  Treasury  Agent  on  Pribylolf  Islands  in  1870, 
states  that"^there  may  be  ;i,000,000  or  7,000,0(10  seals  on  the  islands;  no 
estimate  can  be  made  within  1,000,000  or  so  of  the  actual  number. 

George  VV'ardnum,  Treasury  Agent  on  Tribyloif  Islands  from  1S81  to 
1885,  estimates  that  the  seals  on  St.  (leorge  numbered  l(ir),000  at  most. 
He  thinks  that  tiie  number  of  seals  has  been  over  estimated.  (Fur-seal 
Fisheries  of  Alaska,  pp.  12,  .'}!>,  (JO.) 

[In  this  year,  according  to  Mr.  D.  Webster,  the  standard  weight  of 
skins  was  lowered  from  0  lbs.  to  5  lbs.  and  to  4^  lbs.,  because  of  scar- 
city of  0-lb.  skins.  Thus,  all  males  fr(»m  li  to  5  years  old  became,  and 
thereafter  continued  to  be,  accounted  killable.] 

8;U.  1880.  Last  year  of  lease  of  Alaska  Commercial  Company. 

[To  eomidete  the  catch  in  this  year,  we  ascertain  that  some  40,000 
very  small  skins  were  taken,  including  even  yearlings.] 

8;?2.  1800.  First  year  of  control  of  Morth  American  (commercial  Oom- 
l)any,  under  new  lease. 

Colonel  .1.  Murray,  First  Assistant  (Jovernment  Agent,  reports  that 
the  seals  on  the  Pribylolf  Islands  have  been  steadily  dectreasing  since 
1S80,  and  attributes  this  to  the  excessive  slaughter  of  males  2  to  5 
years  old. 

Mr.  Gotr  states  that  no  2-year-old  seals  brought  to  the  killing  grounds 
were  turned  away  in  this  year.  (Senate,  Fx.  Doc.  40,  5l8t  Congress, 
2nd  Session.) 

Elliott  estimates  the  number  of  seals  on  the  islands  in  this  year  at 
059,.'{93.     lie  attributes  the  decrease  in  number  of  seals  to: 

1.  Over-driving  on  the  islands,  begun  in  1870,  dropi)ed  till  1882,  and 
then  sud<lenly  renewed  and  continued  to  date. 
140  2.  To  pelagic  sealing,  which,  acc(»rding  to  him,  was  begun  as 

a  business  in  188G,  and  carried  on  to  date.    (Parliamentary  Paper 
London,  June  1891,  p.  53.) 


REPORT  OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


205 


Tlio  boarin«;  females  on  the  roolipiies  are  estimated  at  3;"»0,000,  luit  it 
is  stilted  tliat  tiiere  arc  also  L*."»().()(K>  not  liearin}?,  an<l  ii(»t  served  in 
18iS!(  or  IS'.Ml.  owiiij;  to  dearth  of  virile  males,  lie  states  that  the  eon- 
dition  of  seal  life  on  the  islands  is  like  that  which  oceurred  in  l.s;{4 
under  the  IJussian  rt'-^iime. 

(Jeorjje  1\.  Tinfjle,  now  in  charfje  of  the  islands  for  the  North  Anieri- 
ean  Commen  ial  Company,  states  that  late  in  tliis  season  there  was  a 
marked  increase  in  the  arrival  of  seals  on  the  islands.  (Ex.  l)o(;.  No. 
4!>,  olst  ('on},ness,  2nd  Session,  Exhibit  P.) 

A,  W.  Lavender,  Assistant  Treasury  Agent,  notes  thatlarjje  schools 
of  killer  whales  were  abcmt  tlie  islands  in  October,  destroying  great 
nund)ers  of  jmps.     (I<^x.  Doe.  No.  4!>,  .list  Congress,  2nd  Sessi(»ri.) 

S.'{.{.  1SI>1.  I'flie  result  of  oui'  investigations  and  evidence  ol)tained 
elsewhere  detailed  shows  that  the  rookeries  were  this  season  iu  better 
condition  than  iu  18'J0.J 


VIT. — The  Fur-seal  Fishery  in  the  Southlrn  IlEMispnERE. 


831.  In  dealing  with  the  question  of  the  preservation  of  the  valuable 
fur  seal  in  the  North  J'acille  Oeean,  it  is  desirable  to  utilize  aP  the 
exi)erien('e  that  ,uay  be  obtained  in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  the  fur- 
seal  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  and  the  records  of  these  seal  fisheries 
are  peculiarly  abundant. 

8.'>5.  There  are  several  varieties  of  seal  which  have  been  taken  in 
large  numbers  south  of  the  Equator  which  yield  that  partimilar  close 
fur  so  valued  in  commerce.  The  three  chief  varieties  are  respectively 
known  as  the  Otaria  Austrdlis  {=^Ot<iria  FalldaiKlica,  Arctoccpltalus 
Austrdlis,  Arctoci'phalus  Falklaiulictis),  of  the  South  Ameri(;an  coasts; 
the  ()ttiri<(  l*usiUa  {=A)rt(He})liali(.s  Antarcticus)  of  the  South  African 
coasts;  and  t!ie  Otarla  Fo.strri  {  =  Arvtoe(})hahis  cincrais,  Euotaria  cin- 
erca)  of  the  Australasian  coasts.  But  there  is  much  variety  in  nomen- 
clature, ever  since  the  fur-seal  on  Amsterdam  Islaml  were  described  as 
the  I'lioca  UrniiiKs  in  1770.  I'rol'essor  Flower,  the  Director  of  the 
Natural  llisroiy  Department  of  the  JSritish  Museum,  has  kindly  sent 
us  a  .Memorandum  (Aitpeiidix  D),  descriptive  of  these  dilVerentiations. 
The  southern  fur  seals  <lilfei-  s])ecilically,  and  according  to  some  natural- 
ists geiierically,  from  those  in  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  The  fur-seal 
north  of  the  Eipiator  dill'ers  in  structural  character,  and  especially  iu 
the  form  of  the  fore  part  of  the  skull,  from  all  seals  found  south  of  the 
Equator. 

8.'5(».  IJiit  their  habits  and  nuinner  of  life  are  practically  identical,  and 
there  are  certain  conditions  common  to  the  presence  of  all  these  varieties. 
For  breeding  purjioses  they  need  rocks  in  close  jtroximity  to  the  sea, 
where  fogs  are  fre(|uent.  For  feeding  puri)oses  they  reipiire  a  wide 
range  of  ocean,  yielding  small  lisli,  and  squid.  For  temperature,  they 
ju'eier  temperate  and  even  sub-tropical  latitudes,  and  rarely  if  ever 
approach  tlie  zone  of  ice.  Ever  since  tiie  first  navigators  from  Eiiroi)e 
entered  those  seas  the  fur-seal  was  found  all  over  the  great  Southern 
Ocean  in  very  great  abundance  from  the  (ialai)agos  Islands,  under  the 
E(|uator,  in  the  Paciric,  the  Islands  of  St.  Paul  and  Amsterdam  in  the 
Indian  Ocean,  and  along  theshoresof  Africa  and  America  to  the  south- 
ward of  the  parallel  of  20^  south  latitude  in  the  Atlantic  away  south  to 
the  groups  of  islands  in  (50°  and  03^  south  latitude.  But  their  con- 
tinued existence  in  such  habitats  depends  on  their  not  being  destroyed 
or  disturbed  by  man,  murrains,  or  predacious  animals. 


206 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


M' 


iiii 


<S.'i7.  In  tlio  North  Atliiiitic  at  tlio  i)r('aent  day  tliere  exists  no  known 
Kpucics  of  tlif  fur-seal,  altlioii^li  fossil  remains  indicate  tlieir  existence 
in  tlie  tertiary  jieriod. 

<S.'{.S.  Extensive  sealing  <)i)erations  wMu-e  eoiuineted  in  tlie  South  8eas 
about  the  <rlose  of  the  hist  century  and  tlie  tirst  part  of  the  piescnt 
century.  For  all  this  period  there  are  extant  iiuuiy  of  the  actual  h»jjs 
and  Journals  of  those  enj^aged  in  the  pursuit. 

These  "  sealers"  of  the  JSouth  Seas  hailed  for  the  most  part  from  British 
ports  or  from  those  on  the  east  coast  of  North  Amerii-a,  and  very  consid- 
eralde  prolits  accrued,  although  the  work  was  of  a  particularly  arduous 
and  venturesome  character. 

8.'J9.  It  is  noteworthy,  however,  that  South  Sea  sealing,  as  agrciitindus- 
try,  undoubtedly  had  its  origin  in  the  closing  of  the  fur  trade  of  the  North 
Pacific  to  English  traders  and  scalers  when  the  Russians  prevailed  on 
China,  at  that  time  the  one  chief  market  for  such  furs,  to  close  her 
111  i>oits absolutely  against  all  furs  brought  across  tin'  I'liciftc  from 
the  islands  and  coasts  of  North  America,  the  niono|)oIy  of  the 
whole  trade  being  accorded  to  the  Russians  at  their  great  niartof  Kiat- 
clia,  on  the  Anioor.  Englishmen  had  become  (convinced  of  the  great 
value  of  the  China  fur  trade,  and  this  policy  of  restriction  on  the  part 
of  the  llussians  at  once  turned  maritime  enterprise  to  the  South  Seas 
for  the  n«'cessary  supjdy  of  furs,  and  in  a  very  few  years  made  secure 
the  footing  of  the  English  and  Americans  in  the  China  and  other  markets. 

SIO.  At  a  very  early  period,  the  English  were  already  einleavouring  to 
collect  fur-seal  skins  for  the  China  market  in  the  seas  known  to  their 
regular  East  India  traders.  Thus  in  Eebrinuy  1773,  when  the  vessels 
conveying  Lord  Macartney  to  China  called  at  the  Islands  of  Amsterdam 
and  St.  Paul,  in  the  Southern  Indian  Ocean,  in  latitude  31P  south,  they 
found  a  sealing  party  there  engaged  in  carrying  out  a  contract  to  sup- 
jdy 2r),()(K)  skins  of  the  Phoca  Ursina  for  the  Canton  market.  The 
descrii)tion  sent  home  was  as  follows: 

'i'lu!  8ualH  iire  fuund  hure  in  <;renter  nuinbers  in  the  .sunmior  than  in  tlio  winter 
.  .  .  .  In  the.  smnnior  iiiontim  tlH'v  ('((ine  asJiort',  Koniftinies  in  dnives  of  800  to 
4,0(10  !it  a  time,  out  of  whicli  alioiit  KM)  arc  destroyed,  that  number  bidng  about  as 
many  as  tiv«i  men  can  pe;^  down  to  dry  in  tlu)  coiirso  of  the  day In  gen- 
eral they  are  not  shy Most  of  those  that  come  ashore  are  females,  in  the 

proportion  of  tiiirty  to  one  male.  Whetiier  in  thi^se  animals  nature  has  lixed  on  such 
apparent  disproportion  between  the  sexes,  or  whe;  !ier,  while  the  females  have  occa- 
sion to  se(>.k  the  shore,  the  males  continue  in  the  deep,  has  not  hitherto  been  observed 
by  observations  here.* 

In  1789  the  Island  of  Amsterdam  was  visited  by  Captain  Cox,  of  the 
"Mercury,"  Avho  reported  as  follows:  "On  our  lirst  landing  we  found 
the  shore  covered  with  such  a  multitude  of  seals  that  we  were  obliged 

to  disj^erse  them  before  we  could  get  out  of  the  boat We 

procured  here  1,0()0  skins  of  very  superior  quality."! 

841.  Theseal-skin  for  long  found  its  chief  market  in  China  and  Russia, 
where  it  became  a  coveted  and  fashionable  fur,  but  its  gradual  intro 
duction  into  Europe  and  America  dates  fiom  the  time  when  South 
Sea  sealing  was  first  taken  in  hand  as  a  regular  industry.  It  has  been 
calculated  that  from  first  to  last  not  less  than  17,000,0^0  skins  were  thus 
I)laced  in  the  market,  and  without  doubt  it  was  the  tlireatened  failure 
of  this  enormous  supply  from  the  south  which  about  the  yenr  1840  led 
the  llussians,  Britisli,  and  Americans  to  pay  special  attention  to  the 
supply  of  fur-seals  known  to  exist  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean. 


*G.  W.  Clark  on  Eared  Seals. 
187-)."  ]».  052. 
tlbid.,  p.  651. 


-"  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London, 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


207 


,of  the 
found 
jliged 
We 

Inssia, 
intro 
South 
IS  been 
re  thus 
faihire 
840  led 
to  the 


London^ 


842.  The  conditions  in  the  Soutli  Seas  <linerod  eateporically  from 
those  now  prevailinj;  in  the  N(U'tli  racilic.  Thr  various  ishinds  resorted 
to  as  breediufj  placi'sby  the  fur-seal  were  not  only  absolutely  uiiiuhab- 
ited  by  man,  but  weit'  also  at  the  time  in  tlie  political  catejrory  of  "  no- 
num's-land."  As  a  coiisiMiutMice  there  was  no  possibility  of  instituting 
any  regulation  of  methods  of  slaiij;hter,  restrictionsof  numbersorkinds 
taken,  or  any  limitation  of  place  <»r  season. 

843.  There  were  practically  no  natives  (as  on  the  west  coast  of  North 
America)  to  lead  t\\o  way  in  pelaf,Mc  scalin};.  The  method  of  slaughter 
universally  adopted  was  precisely  that  of  the  White  raiders  of  the 
North  Pacific.  No  labour  or  eH'ort  was  wasted  in  any  endeavours  to  <;ap- 
ture  or  kill  the  sj'al  at  sea.  The  sinijile  method  was  invariably  adojited 
of  establishing  parties  of  men  on  all  likely  beaclies,  cami)ed  in  woodt'u 
huts  or  under  canvas,  and  engaged  in  slaughtering  and  skinning  all  the 
seals  that  landed,  without  distinction  of  age,  size,  or  sex.  (.'ajitain 
Weddel  pithily  wiites  of  the  killing  in  the  South  Shetlands  in  1821-22: 
"  Whenever  a  seal  reaches  the  beach,  (►f  whatever  denomination,  ho 
WiOS  immediately  killed  and  his  skin  taken;  and  by  this  means,  at  the 
end  of  the  second  year,  the  animals  became  nearly  extinct.  A  vessel 
of  from  200  to  -100  tons  bronght  out  from  the  home  port  the  nuMi  and 
camping  ecpiipnient.  She  would  land  parties  on  various  beaches,  and 
then  would  be  herself  safely  moored  in  some  handy  harbour.  I'.oats, 
and  even  tenders  of  30  and  40  tons,  wotdd  travel  between  this  vessel  and 
the  various  islands  until  the  season's  fishery  was  over.  Occasionally  the 
work  of  destruction  was  more  expeditiously  performed  when  the  barge 
or  brig  carrying  such  landing  i)artiescame  upon  a  large  rookery  already 
well  tilled  out  with  seals,  for  then  the  whole  work  of  the  cruize  would 
be  accomplished  in  a  few  days."  Such  sealing  jiarties  were  found  at 
work  by  sever<al  exjiloring  exi)editions,  as,  for  instance,  by  Her  Majes- 
ty's ships  "Erebus"  and  "  Terror." 

844.  The  more  detailed  recotds  of  these  South  Sea  a<lventurers  yield 
many  points  of  interest,  and  it  may  be  well  to  quote  from  the  earlier 
descriptions  of  the  fur-seal  as  indicating  how  rapidly  so  valuable  a  fur 
secured  the  notice  of  the  early  adventurers,  and  how  speedily  their  suc- 
cessors brought  about  the  conunercial  extermination  of  the  seal. 

142  845.   In  the  sixteenth  century.  Sir  Francis  Drake,  the  tirst 

Englishman  who  i)enetrated  to  the  South  Seas,  frecpiently  rejwrts 
the  presence  and  comments  on  the  peculiarities  of  .seals.  These  formed 
indeed  a  chief  source  for  the  supply  of  fresh  meat.  On  his  great  voyage 
of  circumnavigation  in  1577-78,  seals  were  taken  in  the  Kiode  la  Plata, 
and  again  in  latitude  47°  30',  at  an  anchorage  eventually  named  Seal 
Bay;  about  the  middle  of  the  month  of  May  seals  were  fouiul  so  i)len- 
tiful  that  200  were  slaughtered  in  one  hour.*  In  the  same  neighbour- 
hood some  years  later,  in  December  158(i,  Cavendish  reports  in  detail 
on  the  seals  found  iu  a  bay  he  named  Port  Desire.t 

846.  In  the  observations  of  Sir  Kichard  Hawkins  on  his  "Voyage 
into  the  South  Sea"  in  1503,  we  read,  in  his  notes  made  in  the  Straits 
of  Magellan:  "Of  Seals  or  Sea- Wolves — One  day,  having  ended  our 
hunting  of  penguins,  one  of  our  mariners,  walking  abcmt  the  island, 
discovered  a  great  company  of  scales  or  sea- wolves  (so  called  for  that 
they  are  in  the  sea  as  the  wolves  or  ''.e  land),  advising  us  that  he  left 
them  sleeping  with  their  bellies  testing  against  the  sunne.  Wee  pro- 
vided ourselves  with  staves  and  other  weai)on8  and  sought  to  steal 
upon  them  at  unawares  to  surprise  some  of  them,  and  coming  down  the 


'Hakluyt,"  vol.  iii,  p.  733. 


tibid.,  p.  804-5. 


208 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


Hide  of  a  liill  we  wore  not  discovorod  till  wo  were  close  upon  them; 
iiot\vitli.st;iiMliii^  their  .sentincll,  l)(>tore  we  could  iipproarh,  witli  ii  {;reat 
lu)\vle  Wiikcd  tlicin,  wee  {jot  Ix'twcen  the  sea  and  stmw  of  thcin,  hat 
they  shiiiiiied  us  not,  for  they  came  directly  upon  us,  and  tli<»n;;h  we 
dealt  here  and  then*  a  hlow,  yet  not  a  man  that  witlistood  them  escaped 
the  overthrow.  They  reckon  not  of  a  musket  slM»t,  a  sword  pierceth 
not  their  skinne,  and  to  yiv*'  a  blow  with  a  stalfe  is  as  to  smite  upon  a 
Btone;  only  in  giving  a  blow  upon  his  siiowt  presently  he  falleth  down 
dead. 

"  After  they  had  rec(»vered  the  water  they  did  as  it  were  seorne  ua, 
detie  us,  and  danced  before  us  iintill  we  had  shot  some  musket  shott 
through  tiieni,  and  so  they  appeared  no  more. 

"This  tish  is  like  unto  a  calie,  with  four  legs, but  not  above  aspanne 
long;  his  skinne  is  heyre  like  a  ealfe,  but  tliese  were  dinerent  to  all 
that  1  have  ever  seene,  yet  I  have  scene  of  them  in  many  parts,  for 
these  were  greater  and  in  their  former  parts  like  unto  lyous,  with 
shaggy  heyre  aiul  mostaehes. 

"Tliey  live  in  the  sea,  and  coire  to  slee])e  on  the  land,  and  they  ever 
Lave  one  that  watcheth,  mIio  adviseth  them  of  any  accident. 

"They  are  beneliciall  to  man  in  their  skinnes  for  many  purposes;  in 
their  mostaehes  for  pick-tooths,  and  in  their  fat t  to  make  traineoyle. 
This  may  sullli-e  for  the  scale,  for  that  he  is  well  known." 

847.  In  the  seventeenth  century  these  notices  still  continue  frequent. 
Thus  Henry  IJrewer  landing  at  VakMitine  Hay  on  th»'  l>th  March,  1G42, 
writes:  "Saw  among  therockssc  ral  scalions  and  sea  dogs,  about  the 
bigness  of  a  g<)o<l  European  calf ;  -me  of  a  greyish,  some  of  a  brownish 
colour,  making  a  noise  not  unlike    ur  sheep." 

848.  Dampier,  iu  1083,  gives  the  following  very  full  general  (lescrip- 
tion  of  seals  :* 

The  seals  are  sort  of  creatures  pretty  well  known,  yet  it  may  not  be  amiss  to 
describe  tlifiii.  Tliey  sire  as  bij;  as  ciilvcs;  tlie  head  of  tlii'iu  like  Ji  <b)i:,  thi-relbro 
railed  by  the  Dutch,  the  "sea  hounds  "  Under  ca(!hsh(tiilderfjri)ws  a  lon;^  thick  I'm; 
those  serve  them  to  swim  with  when  in  tlie  sea,  and  an;  instead  of  lei^s  to  tiiem  when 
on  the  land,  tor  raisiiifjf  their  Ixxlics  n]i  on  end  liy  the  help  of  their  tins  or  stumps, 
and  so  having;  their  tail  ])arts  drawn  close  nndei  them,  I  hey  rebound  as  it  were,  and 
throw  their  bodies  forward,  tlrawinj;  their  hinder  ]>arls  alter  them,  an<l  tlieu  ajjaiu 
risinj;  iiji  and  s]irin<;injj  forward  with  tiieir  fore  jiarls  alternately,  they  lie  tumbling 
thu'i  up  ami  down  all  the  wiiile  they  are  luovinij;  on  land.  From  their  shouhlers  to 
tlieir  tails  tliey  grow  ta])ering  like  lisli,  and  have  two  small  tins  on  each  side  the  rump, 
which  is  tMuumouly  covered  with  tlu^ir  tins.  These  tins  serve  instead  of  a  tail  in  the 
sea,  and  on  land  thev  sit  on  them  when  they  give  suck  to  tlieir  young.  Their  hair  is 
of  divers  colours,  as  'ilack,  grey,  dun,  spotted,  looking  very  sleek  and  pleasant  when 
they  come  tirst  out  of  the  sea.  For  these  at  John  l''ernando  have  fine  short  fur,  the 
like  I  have  not  taken  uoticse  of  anywhere  but  in  these  seas.  Here  are  always 
thousands,  I  might  say  possibly  millions,  of  them,  either  sit  ting  on  the  bays,  or  going 
and  coming  in  the  sea  round  the  island,  which  is  covereil  with  them  (as  they  lie  at 
the  tojt  of  the  water  playing  and  sunning  themseive.- )  for  a  mile  or  two  frcun  tlie 
shore.  When  they  come  out  of  the  sea  they  ble.^t  like  shee]>  for  their  young,  and 
though  they  ])ass  through  hundreds  of  other's  young  ones  I'efore  they  come  to  their 
own,  y<!t  they  will  not  suli'er  any  of  them  to  suck,     'i'he  young  luies  are  like  ])up]>ics, 

and  lie  much  ashore,  but  when  beaten  by  any  of  us,  tliey,  as  well  as  tlio  old 
143      ones,  will  make  toward  the  sea,  and  swim  very  swift  and  nimble,  though  on 

shore  they  lie  very  sluggishly,  and  will  not  go  out  of  our  ways  unless  we  boat 
them,  but  snaji  at  us.  A  blow  on  the  nose  soon  kills  them.  Large  sliiiis  might  here 
loail  themselves  with  seal-skins  and  trane  oyle,  for  they  are  extraordinarily  fat. 
Seals  are  found  as  well  in  cold  as  in  hot  climates. 

849.  In  the  British  ]\Iuseum  are  kei)t  the  admirably  written  MSS.  oi 
certain  other  voyagers,  and  in  that  relating  the  experiences  of  Captian 
Strong  in  the  "Welfare,"  iu  1(58J»,  the  writer,  named  Sinuson,  states  that 

•  "  Dampicr's  Voyages,"  vol.  i,  p.  89. 


REPORT   OP    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


209 


on  the  12tli  Septcriibcr,  at  the  Ishuul of  Juan  FtMtiandoz,  "We  went  ou 
Hhoru,  but  conhl  hardly  sett  a  foot  down,  the  seals  lay  so  thick  on  tliu 
phice.  Besides  we  saw  a  {;reat  number  of  sea-lyons,  U(>t  unlike  other 
lyons  in  eounteiumee,  eolour,  and  fienteness.    Tliey  had  no  fleet  but 

ffiUH. 

"As  for  the  seals  they  were  of  a  dark  colour  and  ^jrissled,  but  under 
the  lon{j  pile  there  was  «'ou<'hed  a  fur  of  an  inctoniparaltle  tiiieness,  that 
if  it  could  be  felt  it  wcuild  answer  all  yc  :''m1s  of  beaver  furr,  wheretbro 
a  fjreat  many  of  tln'ir  skins  were  brou;,'ht  to  Kiifrland." 

This  is  i)robabIy  one  of  the  earliest  aeeounth  of  the  conunereial  value 
of  the  fur-seal  skins. 

8r»0.  In  the  ei},'hteenth  century  navi<,'ators  continue  to  report  the 
abundance  of  seals.  Thus  Ca[>tain  Wood  l{o{;ers,  takinj^f  Alexander 
Helkirk  ott'  the  Ishmd  of  Juan  Fernandez  in  17(M).,  records  a  len>,'thy 
destiription  of  the  fur-seal  seen  there  at  that  date.* 

851.  The  amount  of  intbrmation  at  this  peiiod  extant  on  the  fur-seal 
is  well  emphasized  by  Chajtlain  Kichard  Walter,  of  Lord  Anson's  lla;;- 
ship  which  refitted  at  Juan  I'ernandez  from  June  to  September  1710. 
This  chai>lain  ^ives  a  very  full  and  elaborate  account  of  all  the  natural 
features  of  the  islands  and  of  their  Fauna  and  h'lora,  but  he  dismisses 
seals  in  the  sinj^lo  sentence:  "The  seal,  numbers  of  which  haunt  this 
island,  hath  been  so  often  mentioned  by  former  writers  that  it  is  unnec- 
essary to  say  anything  jtarticular  about  them  in  this  place." 

852.  Captain  Carteret,  writing  of  Masaluera  in  17(»7,  says:  "The 
seals  were  so  numerous  that  I  verily  think  if  many  thousands  were 
killed  in  anight  they  would  not  be  missed  in  the  morning;  we  were 
obliged  to  kill  a  noted  number  of  them  as,  when  we  walked  the  shore 
they  were  continually  running  against  us,  nudving  at  the  «ame  time  a 
most  terrible  noise.  These  animals  yield  excellent  train  oil,  aiul  tlieir 
hearts  and  plucks  were  veiy  good  eating,  being  in  taste  something  like 
those  of  a  hog,  and  their  skins  were  covered  with  the  finest  fur  1  ever 
saw  of  the  kind." 

853.  Captain  Cook,  in  his  ofti<'ial  Report  of  the  voyage  of  the  "  lieso- 
lution"  in  1771,  calling  attention  to  the  great  number  of  fur  seal  on  New 
Georgia,  is  generally  credited  with  being  first  to  direct  the  attention  of 
the  English  adventurers  to  the  comnterclal  advantages  of  South  Sea 
sealing.  But  before  this  i)eriod,  and  ])robably  following  on  the  sug- 
gestions made  as  early  as  1090,  Englishmen  were  alieacly  at  woik  on 
this  new  harvest  of  the  sea.  Thus,  when  Bucareli,the  Spanish  (Jov- 
ernor  at  Buenos  Ayres,  sought  to  recover  the  Falkland  Islands  foi 
Spain  in  177(>,  his  first  task  was  to  forcibly  eject  from  their  estab]ishe<L 
port  and  station  the  "English  sealers"  at  portEgmont,  an  act  for  which 
Spain  afterwards  made  full  restitution. 

854.  Before  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  century  sealing  in  the  South 
Seas  had  assumed  very  extensive  dimensions.  Not  only  were  the  furs 
regarded  as  of  great  value,  but  the  oil,  technically  known  at  the  time 
as  "train-oil, '  assumed  an  important  commercial  i)i)siti()!i.  Attention 
seems  to  havv'  been  first  directed  to  the  islands  and  c;oasls  of  South 
America.  We  hear  of  no  less  a  number  than  1,00(),0()()  skins  being 
taken  to  Canton,  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Masafuera  in  one  year,  in 
1798,  while  before  the  seals  were  extermimited  ou  that  one  island  in 
1807,  no  less  than  3,500,000  skins  had  been  taken. 

855.  All  along  the  coast  of  Chile  and  Peru,  even  as  far  north  as  the 
Islands  of  St.  Felix  and  on  the  Galapagos  group,  seals  were  hunted. 


'  Kerr's  "  Voyagea,"  voL  xi. 


B 


S,  PT 


VI- 


-u 


I 


210 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISR'ONRRS. 


]iy  tlic  end  of  t  1m^  century  there  wrre  not  less  than  thirty  New  Enpand 
vessels  so  eiii|)loyeil  on  th;it  eoiist.  Meiinwiiile,  in  ITS.'J,  Datiie  lliiley, 
of  Mostoii,  had  sent  a  1, <»()()  tons  ship,  the  "Stales,"  down  to  tiie  Falk- 
land Ishiiids,  where  she  pioeiired  a  carjio  of  1,'{,(MM)  skins  of  fi»r-seal 
whieii  w«'re  s(»ld  in  ISoston  at  50  cents  a|Hece,  shiitpcd  to  ('alcutta, 
uiiere  nnder  tin;  name  of  "sea otter*'  tliey  were  s(»Id  for  2  dollais,  and 
<'ventually  reachin;^  Canton,  wliere  tiiey  fetched  5  dollars  jter  skin. 

Sad.  Tiie  methods  of  sjanniiter  involv^Ml  rapid  extirpation  in  any 
given  breedinji"  p!a<i',  and  sealers  caiiu'  to  be  ]>erpetnally  discovering 
and  exhaust in;^  in  succession  ev<'rv  |)lace  to  wliicli  seal  resorted. 
14 1  Tlu^  islands  around  Soutii  A nu'rica,  Tristan  (I'Acnidia, 'he  JSouth 
Orkneys,  South  (ieor^ia,  and  Sandwich  l,and,  werci  all  in  turn 
discovei-ed,  anil  Imndreds  of  thousands  of  skins  taken  from  each  for  a 
lonji'  scries  of  years,  'I'hiity  vessels — ci;;hteen  beinji  undci-  the  Anieri- 
<'an,  ten  under  the  Knj^lisli,  and  two  nndei'  the  IJiissian  lias;,  in  the 
three  years  hSli»-L'l2,  took  more  than  (;()(t,(»(U>  seals  from  the.  South 
Shetland  j;idup,  completely  exhaustiu};  the  seal  race  there  for  the  tiuui. 

S'lT,  Se;din,n-vesscls  had  as  ciirly  as  17!K)  crossed  the  Atlaidi(;  and 
worked  11])  the  coast  of  \V(>steni  Afiica  as  far  as  l'()o  north  latitude, 
obtainiuii'  m;iny  seals.  Olliei-'  woiki'd  steadily  alonj>'  the  open  sea  to 
the  south,  successively  landinj;'  ujton  the  various  <jroups  of  island)^ — 
llonvet  and  Lindsay,  .Marian,  and  Prince  I'ldward,  the  ("ro/.t'ts,  Ker- 
•;u(>len,  and  .Macl)on:dd. 

Vet  further  to  the  I'ast ward,  seals  were  obtained  on  the  followinj^ 
islands:  IJoyal  t'ompany,  I'lmerald,  Antipodes,  (Jamplxdl,  Maeipiarie, 
Auckland,  and  Mounty,  while  one  vessel  reported  in  Sydney  a  catch  of 
•l(»,(ltl(»  from  the  Fiji  Islands,  probably  si  locality  named  to  shroud  the 
real  killing;  i)lace, 

S."),S.  At  this  period,  and  especially  from  lS10-2(>,  there  sprun}?  up 
a  very  lariit'  lransliii)nu'nt  tiade  in  fur  seal  skins  in  the  new  port  of 
Sydney,  ^eachin.^•  linndicds  of  thousands  in  live  years. 

Knterprisin-;-  nu'n  chielly  on  the  b'eports  of  Vancouver  and  Cocdc  had 
already  found  their  way  to  the  coasts  of  ''JS'ew  llollaiul,"  and  away 
round  the  islands  of  New  Zealand.  Mass  had  reported  the  reefs  oil" 
Cape  liaiTcn  Island,  olf  the  north  coast  of  Tasmania,  -'covered  wiih 
fur-seal  of  <;rcal  beauty."  Cook  had  found  seals  in  {jjreat  numbers  on 
the  rocks  in  !)usk,\   Bay  in  New  Zealand  in  177.'?. 

S,')'.!.  Iiiit  the  severe  process  universally  adopted  s])eedily  exhausted 
tlie  dilVcrent  rookeries,  and  by  the  ycar*is;!(»  we  meet  with  strenuous 
(•omplaiiits  that  all  the  known  killiiiin'  i;rounds  were  depleted,  and  that 
new  urouiids  must  be  discovered.  Fanniiii;'  and  others  poiided  ou», 
however,  tlicsijiiiilicant  fact  that  vast  numbers  of  seals  wcrc^  still  to 
be  seen  crni/iim  about  at  sea.  a  lemark  of  special  and  new  si.qniticanee 
to  the  owners  of  the  North  racilic  rookeries  iu  ISiHi. 

S(;(i.  It  is  a  matter  of  some  dillicidly  to  estimate  tiie  total  number  of 
senis  taken  in  the  South  Seas  duiinu' the  period  of  the  excessive  enerjiy 
of  tiie  lirciit  sealinj>'  industry.  I'.ut  there  are  actmd  records  which, 
added  tooether,  brin<;  the  a»'knowlcd<jfd  total  to  more  than  J(;,(M»(),()00. 

These  seals  \ver«>  taken  from  about  thirty  dilferent  island  gnuips  or 
coast  distiicts  on  tlie  maiidand,  and  they  "were  all  taken  by  the  one 
method  .)f  indiscriminate  slaut;liter  on  shore. 

It  is  probable  that  this  wholesale  slaufihter  did  not  extend  over  more 
than  seventy  years,  but  it  is  certain  that  at  the  end  of  the  period  the 
fur  seals  were  so  teiribly  reduced  in  nund)ers  that  even  the  sixty  years 
of  subsei|uent  rest  and  total  cessation  of  killinj;  have  not  sulliced  to 
briui;  about  any  cDcctual  restoraticm  of  the  nund)ers  of  years  gone  by. 


ItEPOUT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


211 


linbcr  of 

wliicli, 
b(IO,(H>0. 
loups  or 
It  he  one 

I  or  more 
[iod  tlio 
[y  years 
Jliced  to 
roiio  by. 


I 


801.  Etiiiiilly  valiiiibl(^  to  tlic^  trontiiiont  of  tlio  s«'iils  in  tlio,  North 
PiU'ilic.  is  the  more  rcrcnt  liistory  of  scaling  in  the  Suntii  Seas,  Th(^ 
excessive  slaniiiilcr  of  seals  by  man  on  tlie  breeiiin.u  ishnids  uhtne  had 
l)i()M.i;iit  abdul  the  coin  mere  la  I  extermination  of  tiie  once  abnn(hint  fur- 
seal  before  tin'  year  bS.'.O. 

l-'ioni  that  i>eri()(l  for  tliiity  or  forty  years  sealinj^was  eaiiied  on  bnt 
litfc.liy  and  sehh)ni.  Sir  -loiin  Koss,  writ  ini;-  of  Kerf;neien  Land  in 
l.SIO,  says:  '-Of  marine?  animals  liie  sea  ('le|iliant  and  several  speeies 
of  seals  wen?  fornu-rly  in  j;reat  abnndanre.  and  annnally  dicw  a  nnrn- 
ber  of  vessels  to  these  sinues  in  pnisnit  of  them.  They  have  now,  after 
so  many  years  of  peiseention.  (jnite  deseited  tlu?  place  or  havi?  l»een 
conii)letely  aniiihilated."  All  other  wiitiMs  and  travellers  ^ive  similar 
descriptions  of  the  methods  and  resnits  of  this  excessive  slanyhter. 
The  ollicers  of  Her  Majesty's  sliip '•  I'.eaule,"  snrveyinj;  the  intricat»5 
])assa^('s  of  Ma.uilian's  Stiaits  and  'I'iena  del  I>'in',no  in  ls;;o,  speak  in 
similar  strain,  and  it  is  noticealde  that  Charles  Darwin,  wher  visitin}? 
tln'se  old-time  icsoits  of  the  In r  seal  in  IS.iL'-.'U,  ami  eontribntinj;'  so 
mnch  of  permanent  valn«?  to  natnral  history,  does  not  make  even  a 
sin;ile  alhisioii  to  the  far  seal. 

StjL'.  It  is  iiistrnctive  to  notice,  however,  that  in  later  years,  as  civil- 
ized nations  lieiiian  to  assert  sovereitinty  over  tiiese  wild  slnncs,  so  did 
they  I'laim  the  rijiht  to  the  seals  and  to  ctnitrol  ihe  breeding'  plaints. 
Anjiiistns  llarle,  who  has  pnblished  an  interesting  acconnt  of  Tristan 
d'Acnnha  in  tin?  year  i.S.'ll,  tlins  reconnts  tin?  expericiu'e  of  one  of  the 
islanders  named  IJichard:  ••  l»y  one  of  i  hose  snddeii  acts  of  treachery 
and  criK'lly  whi<'li  have  been  so  connm)n  on  the  (toast  of  Sonth  Ann'rica 
tlie  vessel  to  w  liicli  he  belon,i;c(l  while  qnietly  en>;a;;ed  in  pickinj;'  np 
seal  on  the  shoie  was  seized  by  an  aimed  K'epnblican  crni/,»'r  on  pie- 
tence  of  her  oc(  npation  bein^  nnlawfnl,  ami  her  crew  (Ibi-  whom  IJich- 
ard  had  the  liononr  of  cookin;^)  were  lodfjed  in  dnrance  vile, and 
145  the  only  chance  the.\  had  of  escapinj^'  Iroin  i»erpetnal  imprison- 
nu'nt  was  by  enlerin^^  the  i;ei»id)lican  army.'' 

S(i;{.  All  aiM'onnts  speak  of  chanji'c  in  the  ha.bils  of  the  fnr-seal.  Jii 
Tiistan  <l'Acnnha  they  are  described  as  havlnj;"  deserted  tin?  o|)en 
beaches  ami  taken  to  hanntin.i:'  ca\es  ami  UmLvcs  inaccessible  to  nnin. 
On  the  Anckland  j;ronp  they  now  resort  t<»  the  beaches  and  ledj^es  Inflow 
the  steep  clill's  tui  the  western  shores,  where  the  i»erpetmil  heavy  snrf 
renders  it  imi)iactieable  tbi-  man  to  lantl.  IWit  on  some  islands,  as  on 
Adam's  Island,  t  he  sealers  have  made  roadways  for  themselves  over 
the  rocks  and  ice  of  the  inteiior  down  on  to  these  beaches.  This  is, 
however,  not  always  practicable,  ami  it  is  saiil  that  nnder  the  protec- 
tion of  intractable  i)rccipices  the  far  seal  are  nnnn)lest('(l  ami  x'ery 
plentifnl  on  MacDomild's  Island,  one  of  the  Kernn<'len  yronp. 

.S<il.  A  traveller.  Mr.  ( 'hapman.  visitinj;- .Vdam's  Islaml  in  iss'.t,  writes: 
"  We  landed  at  the  cave  w  here  the  seal  lints  aie.  ,  .  .  These  si'al- 
ers  nnd<(>  an  easy  road  across  the  islaml,  and  when  they  arrive  at  the 
clitl's  at  the  other  side.  lower  sonn?  of  tlieii'  number  to  t!u'  led-^es  ami 
eaves  where  they  slanj;hter  seals.  The  slayers  ami  the  skins  are  then 
drawn  np.  It  is  wholly  illegal,  bnt  it  i^des  on,  so  that  the  fnr-seal  are 
nearly  extermiinited."' 

iStM.  The  natnialists  on  the  "Challen.ii«M'"  trecpu'iitly  observe(i  fnr- 
seal  in  1S7;{-71.  Of  Nij>htin,uale  Island  it  is  reported:  "Tlieca\<'s, 
with  the  sloping  ledges  leadinji'  nj)  to  them,  are  freqnentcd  by  fur  seals. 
l''onr  years  before  tin?  visit  of  the  exjiedition  l,l(Mt  seals  had  been  killed 
on  the  island  by  om'  slnp's  <'rew.  Seals  were  very  much  scarcer  in  IST.J, 
but  the  island  was  visited  regularly  once  ii-year  by  the  Tristan  people. 


212 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


Tlic  ricrniaiis  killed  only  seven  seals  at  Inaccessible  Island  during  their 
stay,  but  the  Tiistan  i)eople  killed  forty  in  December  1S72."* 

.S(i(i.  Of  the  Cro/et  Island  tlM>  icpoit.  was:  "The  islands  are  fre 
qnented  by  elephant-  and  fur-seals,  aIthou{,'h  they  are  not  so  plentiful 

as  foiiiierly The  flesh  of  the  seals  and  birds,  the  eggs  of 

tlu^  latter,  together  with  the  Ivcrgtieleii  cabbage,  form  a  nourishing 
diet  on  which  the  sealers  residing  at  times  on  one  or  other  of  the  islands 
have  usually  lived." 

sim.  Of  J-vcrguelen  Island  it  is  said:  "Two  of  the  whaling  schooners 
killed  over  seventy  fur-seals  on  one  day,  and  upwards  of  twenty  on 

another It  is  a  pity  that  some  discretion  is  not  used  in 

killing  the  animals." 

StiS.  Another  entry  tells  us  of  the  jNIessier  Channel:  "The  steam- 
])iiina('('  lelt  <Iray  Harbour  at  4  A.  >l.  with  several  inituralists  and  olH- 
cers,  and  Joine<l  the  sliij)  in  the  evening  at  Port  Gra])pler  "  (in  .lanuary 
l.S7(i).  "  On  the  way  landing  was  effected  at  several  spots,  ami  a  num- 
ber of  birds  were  procured;  a.  very  large  number  of  fur-seals  {Arctocc- 
plialus)  were  seen,  and  six  were  shot,  the  skins  and  skeletons  of  which 
were  ])reserv('(l." 

SO!*.  In  regard  to  Australia,  Sir  F.  McCoy,  kindly  supidying  us  with 
inlormation  frcmi  the  Xational  Museum,  Melbourne,  states  of  the  Euo- 
tarid  riiicn'd  :  "  Tiie  decline  or  destruction  of  tlie  lishery  is  certainly 
attributable  to  the  indiscriniinate  slaughter  of  the  seals  on  the  few 
islands  off  the  south  coast,  esiK'cially  in  Western  Port,  where  the  old 
males  and  gravid  females  resorted  in  the  sununer  to  bring  forth  and 

teiKl  the  young The  fur-seal  fishery  was  conducted  snnply 

by  manning  a  boat  suitable  for  landing  on  the  islands,  the  landing 
usually  taking  j»lace  at  night,  ami  then  the  seals  were  killed  indis- 
criminately by  clubbing  them  on  the  nose  with  large  sticks 

The  Australian  fur-seals  were  never  fished  for  in  the  open  ocean." 

870.  Thus,  over  all  these  fbity  years,  vessels,  most  of  them  liiuler  the 
United  States  flag,  have  continued  to  haunt  tlie  breeding  jilaces  of  the 
fur  seal  in  the  South  Seas  for  the  jturpose  of  killing  all  that  could  be 
killed,  regardless  of  sex  or  condition. 

The  records  show  that  tlie  number  of  vessels  iitting  out  in  New  Eng- 
land i)orts  for  this  fishery  averaged  since  1840  from  six  to  ten  or  twelve 
each  year. 

<S71.  At  the  time  of  the  revival  of  sealing  in  the  Xorth  Pacific  in  1807 
and  following  years,  several  more  vessels  were  dispat(;hed  to  the  South 
Seas  and  very  considerable  catches  weri^  nnule,  although  not  in  num- 
bers at  all  comparable  to  those  of  the  old  days.  Nevertheless,  vessels 
returned  with  ca.  goes  of  1, ()(•(»,  1. ♦((»(),  ami  even  2,700  choice  skins. 

S72.  A  summaiy  and  authoritative  account  of  what  occurred  was 
given  in  l.SSO  by  tlic  Honourable  C.  A.  Williams,  of  Connecticut,  before 
tlie  House  of  Kcprcsentatives:  "People  who  had  been  ])reviously 
engaged  in  tlie  sealing  business  revisite(l  these  southern  localities  after 
a  lajise  of  ru'arly  fifty  years,  and  no  seals  were  found  on  the  Island  of 

Desolation The  Island  of  South  Shi'tland,  and  the  Island 

of  South  Ceoigia,  and  the  Island  of  Sandwich  Land,  and  the 
140  Diegos  off  Cape  Horn,  and  one  or  two  minor  i)oints,  were  found 
to  yield  more  or  less  seal.  In  this  period  of  fifty  years  in  these 
localities  seal  life  had  rccniperated  to  such  an  extent  that  theie  was 
taken  from  them  in  the  six  years  from  1870  to  1877  perhaps  40,000 
skins To-day  they  are  again  exhausted.     .  .     .     I  do 

•  "CLulleuijer  I'^xpcdition  Report,"  vol.  i,  p.  201  ct  mj. 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


213 


ill  1807 
South 
mim- 

vcssels 

IIS. 

'(1  was 
bc'lbre 
viously 
s  after 
and  of 
Island 
lid  tbo 

found 
n  these 
'le  was 

40,000 
,     I  do 


not  think  that  100  seals  could  be  procured  from  all  the  localities  men- 
tioned by  a  close  research." 

87.'3.  According  to  authentic  records,  the  sealers  from  New  London 
obtained  from  the  South  Shctlauds  and  the  neighbourhood  of  ('ai)O 
Uuni  and  Tierra  del  Fuego  92,756  fur-seal  skins  between  the  years  1S70 
and  1880,  but  sealers  are  still  at  work,  by  their  wasteful  and  indiscrim- 
inate slaughter,  preventing  the  fur-seal  of  the  South  Seas  from  recup- 
erating and  being  restored  in  numbers. 

874.  Thus,  the  actual  experiences  of  South  Sea  sealing  unmistakably 
emphasize  the  serious  dangers  of  indiscriminate  and  wholesale  slangiiter 
on  shore,  and  prove  conclusively  that,  in  the  entire  absence  of  ])«'lagio 
sealing,  it  is  perfectly  possible  practically  to  exterminate  the  seal  race. 

875.  This  serious  result,  actually  achieved,  is  bnmght  into  still  greater 
prominence  when  we  bear  in  mind  the  measures  adopted  by  several 
Governments  of  territories  in  the  Southern  Ileiuisphere,  by  special  reg- 
ulations or  otherwise,  to  restore  and  ]>reserve  the  fur-seal  rookeries. 
The  (Jovernments  whi(;h  have  set  up  siidi  regulations  are  those  of  the 
Uruguay,  Argentine,  and  Chilean  l\'e])ul)li<'s,  and  of  the  Uritish  Colo- 
nies of  the  Falkland  Islands,  the  Cape  of  (lood  Hope,  Victoria,  New 
Zealand,  and  Tasmania. 

87(!.  In  the  Uruguay  Republic,  for  many  years  the  (iovernment  have 
prote(!ted  the  seals  resorting  for  brei'ding  purposes  to  the  liObos,  the 
Es])inillo,  and  the  Coronilla  Islands. 

According  to  a  special  report,  furnished  to  us  by  Your  ^rajesty's 
Minister,  Mr.  Satow,  these  fisheries  have  been  very  careliilly  looked 
after.  They  are  now  leased  to  a  ])rivate  company  for  a  term  of  years, 
but  without  limitation  of  the  numbers  to  be  taken.  The  comjiany  have 
the  sole  right  of  taking  seals,  and  there  is  no  Ciovernment  tax  levied 
on  the  skins.  The  killing  of  seals  is  only  ])erinitted  between  the  1st 
.Tune  and  liie  loth  October  in  each  year.  All  the  seals  are  killed  on 
shore,  chietly  by  means  of  clubs,  and  there  is  no  pelagic  lishlng.  It  is 
the  general  opinion  that  no  diminution  is  observable  in  the  number  of 
seals  frequenting  the  rookeries.  iMr.  Lafone,  M.  T.,  has  kindly  supplied 
us  with  much  very  valuable  information.  The  chief  rookeries  have 
been,  to  his  knowledge,  in  good  condition  for  more  than  forty  years 
past.  In  Appendix  ((i)  we  give  the  ligiires  of  the  numbers  actually 
taken  in  recent  years,  from  which  it  will  be  seen  that  the  average 
annual  take,  with  no  ai)parent  injury  to  the  numbers  of  seals  frequent- 
ing the  rookeries,  is  nearly  15,000  seals;  but  that  of  these  more  than 
one-third  are  "  small  pups."  In  1888  strong  representations  were  made 
against  killing  ])ups.  It  may  be  added  that  in  the  medium  sizes  many 
females  are  included  without  injuriously  atlecting  the  total  number  of 
the  seals. 

877.  In  1880  the  Government  of  the  Argentine  Republic  absolutely 
forbad  the  taking  of  seiils  along  its  coasts,  and  also  commenced  negoti- 
ations with  Chile  for  cooperation  in  the  same  direction,  especially  with 
the  view  to  8toi)ping  United  States  vessels  which  habitually  poached 
on  the  rookeries,  notably  the  "Sarah  W.  Hunt"  and  the  "Martha 
Gale." 

878.  The  Chilean  Government  has  from  time  to  time  considered  the 
question  of  protecting  the  fur  seals.  In  1883  they  abstained  from  enforc- 
ing regulations.  Up  to  1880  the  seal  fishery  was  free  to  any  Chilean 
subject  or  foreigner  residing  in  the  country, but  not  open  to  vessels  and 
their  crews  coming  from  foreign  c(mntries.  It  has,  however,  been  found 
hitherto  im])racticable  to  guard  the  fishing  districts  during  the  breed- 
ing season,  and  the  British  Vice-Cousul  at  Punta  Arenas,  in  the  Straits 


214 


REPORT   OF    hRITISU    COMMISSIONERS. 


"•ill 


of  ^rnjiclliui,  ioi)orts  in  1SS0  tliat  tlie  Aiiicncan.sclioonor.s  take  no  notice 
of  the  iiitcnlictioii,  altliou^li  only  one  of  tlicm.  the  "  Sarah  \V.  Hunt," 
has  as  yet  been  specilicall)'  ])rohil)ited  from  siicli  illc,uitiinat('  scaling. 
lie  also  reports  tliat  the  (Jiiilcan  Government  are  (•oiitemplalin<;-  more 
strini^ent  measures  of  protection  for  the  few  icmainin.t;'  seals. 

870.  The  Chilean  (Government  lias  always  reco<:ni/.e(l  ihe  value  of  tlie 
seal-fishery,  although  since  the  earlier  years  ot  tlie  century  it  has  been 
felt  that  the  seals  were  nearly  extirpated.  We  have  fief|uent  allusions 
to  Government  control.  Thus,  in  l.SOO,  Her  ^lajesty's  ship  ••Toi>aze," 
visitin,y'  the  Island  of  -luaii  Fernandez,  reports  ten  inliabitantsenjiaficd 
in  sealing;  under  licence  from  the  ( Jliilean  (lovernnient.  In  1875  Her 
Majesty's  shij)  "(!hallenj;er"  re[)()rts  lindinjija  (Miilean  leasinjjf  the  rij^iit 
I'rom  this  (lovernment  for  2(10/.  a-year,  and  employing'  fifty  or  sixty  men 
on  -Juan  Fernandez  and  Mas  a-Fuera  for  the  i)ur[»()seof  collectinj;"  seal- 
skins. 

8S(».   in  all  these  i)lat'es,  and  esjtecially  in  the  districts  around  the 

Horn,  the  enforcement  of  strict  re<:ulations,  especiidly  instituted 

147       for  avoi<lin;i'  the  takinjj  of  .yravid  females  and  disturbanci^  of 

males,  females,  and  youn;;'  dui'inj;'  the  early  portion  of  the  jieriod 

they  spend  a.shore,  is  certain  loi)ermitof  a  gi'cat  incieasein  the  supply 

of  fur-seal. 

SSI.  In  some  of  the  several  British  Colonies  where  the  fur-seal  is  found, 
specific  re^^nlations  have  been  in  force  for  som«.'  time  i)ast. 

S8li.  In  the  Falkland  Islands  there  is  le<;islative  provision  embodied 
in  the  Ordinance  Xo.  4  of  ISSl  for  the  ])rotection  of  the  fur-seal,  which 
is  already  liaviny  an  excellent  effect,  so  far  as  it  can  be  enforced.  Its 
main  provisions  (see  Appendix  K)  are  a  close  time  from  the  1st  October 
to  the  1st  Ajirikand  ])enalties  and  forfeiture  a^'ainst  individual  owners 
of  vessels  and  others  killing  or  permitting  to  be  killed  any  fur-seals  dur- 
ing those  nxiiitlis. 

S8o.  ivccent  inciuiries  made  of  those  experienced  in  scaliiig  in  those 
islands  elicited  the  invariable  opinion  that  the  main  causes  of  the  pres- 
ent depletion  has  been  the  reckless  and  indiscriminate  slanglirerof  the 
seals  whenever  they  land,  and  e.'ipecially  during  the  l)reeding  season. 
In  some  cases  the  stocking  of  farms  and  peojtle  taking  up  their  abode 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  seal  rookeries  has  certainly  driven  the  seals 
to  other  resorts.  JJut  the  killing  of  seals  has  never  been  attempted  at 
sea,  and  is  entirely  confined  to  i)arties  of  sealers  landed  from  boats  and 
sclio(»ners,  who  club,  shoot,  and  s])ear  the  seals  on  sliore,  The  most 
serious  comi>laints  are  that  foreign  schooners  cruize  along  the  ci.'ast  and 
land  scaling  ])arties  regardless  of  the  statntory  close  season. 

SS4.  ICxperieneed  men  in  the  Falkland  Islamls  assert  that  the  fur- 
seal  are  known  not  infrequently  to  desert  favourite  landing  [)iaces  when 
they  find  they  are  molested  for  others  where  they  rest  and  breed  in 
peace. 

sart.  The  Government  of  the  Colony  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  has 
for  very  many  years  ]>aid  attention  to  the  fur  seals  freqtienting  the 
coast  ami  islands  under  its  authority.  Thus,  on  the  iL'th  April,  1844,  a 
Proclamation  was  issued: 

His  Kxcclleiicy  tli(>  (iovcnior,  liiiviii;;  l)e('ii  plciiseil  ti)  decide,  tliat.  tlie  Seal  I.slaiuls 
ill  Mo.sHel  Jtiiy  sliiiU  not  lie  j;iiiiited  on  lea.se  i'or  the  lU'csciit,  hereby  prohibits  all  por- 
Hoiis  Iroiii  distiirbinj:  tho  seals  on  the  said  islaiul,  aud  Avarns  tlieiu  from  trti.spa8siug 
there  alter  this  notice  on  jiaiii  of  prosecntiou. 

8S(!.  A  special  Ilejiort  from  Mr.  C.  IT.  Jackson,  the  Government  Agent 
in  chargi'  of  the  t^eai  and  Giniju)  Islands  (Ajipendix  B),  si)eaks  of  indis- 
criminate slaughter  on  shore  as  the  chief  cause  of  the  present  deple- 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


215 


nose 


tion;  and  points  out  tliat,  for  lack  of  a  close  timo  duriiif;  the  breedinjj 
season  between  November  and  January,  a  <irt:it  number  of  females 
have  been  destioyed  "either  about  to  {jfive  l)irth  or  sucklin.;;  their 
younjf."  Pelagic  sealiuff  is  unknown,  the  system  of  killiiiff  adoj)ted 
hiiiujx  tliat  of  landinji'  men  in  boats,  armed  witli  clubs,  lie  si)eak3 
specially  of  the  ease  with  which  seals  are  s<'ared  from  tlieir  jesorts  by 
steamers  and  other  vessels  cominjj  close  in.  lie  also  mentions  that 
"by  a  happy  i)rovision  of  nature  a  female  seal  will  suckle  any  young 
one,  whether  her  own  or  not." 

S87.  There  are  no  spe(;ial  protective  laws,  but  the  islands  are  Gov- 
ernment property  and  are  leased  upon  short  leases,  so  that  the  Govern- 
ment has  power,  if  it  will,  to  control  tliis  prohtable  fishery. 

888.  In  the  Australian  waters  fnrseals  were  found  on  tlie  coasts  and 
islands  of  Victoria,  Tasmania,  and  New  Zealand  in  very  great  abun- 
dance, and  thej'^  are  still  seen  and  obtained. 

881).  in  regard  to  Victoria,  Sir  F.  McCoy  reports  as  follows: 

(1.)  Tlio  seal  fishery  of  Austriilia  was  never  so  extensive  as  that  of  tho  North 
Pacific,  and  for  more;  tliaii  thirty  years  the  trade  in  Australian  fur-seal  slfins  Las 
entirely  ceased,  althoufrli  of  some  extent  in  Sydney  a  little  hefore  that  tituc. 

('J.)  In  Victoriii,  the  niily  fnr-.seal  is  tho  eared  seal  t  J-^iinlaria  ciiiered),  the  size, 
shape,  and  hiihits  of  which  vi-ry  nearly  recall  those  of  tlu^  North  Pacific.  The 
decline  or  destruction  of  the  fishery  is  certainly  attriintaldo  to  the  indiscriminate 
slau^ihter  of  the  seals  on  the  lew  islands  off  the  south  i  iiast,  cs))ecially  in  Western 
I'ort.  where  the  old  males  and  ;;ravid  females  resorted  in  the  suiunier  to  hrin;;  forth 
and  tend  the  youn^C-  At  present  a  few  islands  oidy  are  frei|Uented  liy  those  se.-ils, 
now  in  the  breeding  season,  and  the  uunilierof  imlivi<luals  is  too  small  to  furnish 
any  trade. 

(3.)  Tlie  fur-seal  fishery  was  conducted  simidy  by  manning  a  l)f)at  suitable  for 
landii.'ji  on  the  islnuds,  the  landing  usually  takinu;  ]dace  at  niirlit,  and  then  the  seals 
were  killed  indiscriminately  by  elubliiiiLj  them  on  the  nose  with  large  sticks.  Tho 
skins  were  chielly  ex])orte(l  from  Sydney. 

(4.)  No  mea.sures  etleitive  for  the  protection  of  tlio  fur-seal  fisheries  have  been 
undertaken  on  any  lari;e  s(  ulc  by  any  (d' the  Australian  Colnnics,  l)ut  some  years  ago 
I  re<'(imiiiended  the  N'ictoriiin  (iovernment  to  Tirnliibit  the  killinj^of  seals  on  tho 
148  small  islands  which  they  t're(|uent  near  I'liilliji  Island,  and  alllioui;h  the  num- 
ber has  somewhat  increasinl  in  conse([uence,  it  is  far  too  small  to  furnish  a 
trade. 

(.5.)  The  Australian  fur-seals  were  never  fished  fur  in  the  ojicn  ocean. 

(ti.)  (icncrally  the  life  hi-.tiiry  of  the  N'icloiian  fur-seal  cMictly  resembles  that  of 
the  North  Pacific,  following  shoals  of  lisli  in  the  op('n  ocean,  but  coming  on  tiie  islands 
to  breed  ni  the  latter  part  of  the  summer. 

800.  Sealing  was  a  leading  industry  in  New  South  Wales,  especially 
in  the  years  1810--0.  Several  tiims  fitted  out  large  .schooners,  and 
great  numbers  of  skins  were  secured,  especially  from  i)laces  like  Mac- 
(puirie  and  the  Antipiules  Islands.  Some  years  ago  the  (iovernmeut 
issued  an  order  ]U'ohil)iting  the  killing  of  seals  on  the  mainland  jind 
islands  of  the  Colony,  and  they  are  reported  as  increasiti"'  in  numbers, 
as,  for  instance,  around  I'ort  Stephens. 

801.  From  Tasmania  sealing  has  beeti  conducted  on  many  neighbour- 
ing islands,  the  seals  all  being  shot  oi  clubbed  on  the  shore.  No  meas- 
ures of  preservation  have  been  taken  until  1801,  when  a(iovernment 
Prodanuttion  was  issued:  "The  taking  of  seals,  known  by  the  name  of 
seals  or  any  other  local  name,  in  Tasmania  and  its  dependencies,  is 
hereby  prohibited  for  a  period  of  three  years  from  the  l!«>th  July,  1801." 
The  chief  difliculty  found  is  with  schooners  from  other  parts  maraiul- 
ing  on  the  rookeries. 

802.  In  New  Zealand  at  tho  beginning  of  this  century  seals  were 
numerous  in  several  places  along  the  coast  around  Port  Chalmers,  along 
the  west  coast,  near  V\ Cstport,  round  Stewart's  Island,  and  in  other 
places.  All  the  neighbouring  islands,  such  as  the  Chatham,  .Mac<pi,vrie, 
Bounty,  Campbell,  and  Antipodes  groups,  were  well-known  hauuts. 


I 


216 


REPORT    OF    RRTTI5;iI    COMMISSIONERS. 


0 
I' 

k 


Mr.  Yiito.  a  niissinnary,  wiitiiij^  in  Is;)."),  fells  of  sevi'ial  ostablishinonts 
for  the  seal  lisliery  on  tlio  coast  of  New  Zealand.  IJiit  lifteen  or  twenty 
yeiirs  of  jieisistent  and  indiscriminate  slanjihtor  on  shore  had  practi- 
cally extenninated  the  seal  in  1^10. 

iSl>.'}.  As  !o  the  causes  of  the  depletion,  Mr.  F.  Chapman,  \Tritin{j  from 
])unedin,  says:  "As  to  the  cause  of  this  there  is  but  one  answer:  reck- 
less killiiifif  ;ind  disturbance  in  the  rookeries.  'Mr.  Dawson  need  not 
trouble  himself  about  i)ela<;ic  sealing;  there  is  not  and  never  was  such 
a  thinj;  in  these  waters." 

.Sil4.  Jn  the  early  years  of  this  century  the  port  of  Sydney  <lid  a 
large  trade  in  seal  skins,  and  it  is  undoubted  that  with  ris<'  in  market 
]trices  of  more  than  ten  tt.Id  over  that  period,  the  industry  may  well  be 
revive<l  by  judicious  (Jovernment  regulations  duly  enforced. 

Tiie  main  dit'llculty  in  these  seas,  as  el.sewhere,  is  the  raiding  ashore, 
esi)ecially  in  the  breeding  season,  by  uimuthorized  i>ersons.  Jt  is  to  be 
hoped  that  tlie  oiilc(»me  of  tiie  IJehring  Sea  negotiations  may  be  inter- 
national agreement  as  to  theillegality  of  iill  such  ])roceedings,  and  thus 
all  territorial  Powers  will  jje  empowered  to  execute  regulations  against 
all  comers,  so  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  so  important  anin<lnstry 
as  that  of  s«>aling. 

S'.),">.  It  will  be  well  if  the  Governments  of  New  Zealand,  Tasmania, 
Victinia,  the  ('ape  of  (iood  Hope,  and  the  lalkland  Island,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  Uruguayan  lle))ublic  and  Chile,  take  ste])s  to  secure*  for 
themselves  any  international  .  Ivantages  for  the  pr()per  ])rotection  of 
the  fur  seal  in  the  South  Seas  which  maybe  determined  to  be  applicable 
umlerinti'rnationalsaiu'tion  in  the  Xorth  Pacilic.  As  acommencement, 
each  of  tliese  C.overnnuMits  should  forthwith  make  statutory  provision 
for  close  seasons,  restriction  of  numbers  taken,  and  other  matters  alfeet- 
ing  =;eal  life  within  their  territorial  dominions  ami  the  waters  thereof. 

S'.KI.  A  further  iK)int  in  connection  with  South  Sea  sealing  renniins  to 
be  dealt  with. 

Some  of  the  older  sealers  who  gave  us  evidence  mentioned  their  opin- 
ion that  the  fur-seal  of  ilie  Pribylolf  Islands  were  the  overtlow  cf  the 
fur-seal  of  the  South  Sea  when  disturbed  and  harassed  by  the  indiscrim- 
inate slaughter  above  detailed. 

We  observe  also  that  the  Tnited  States  authority,  Mr.  Elliott,  in  his 
"  ^Monograph  on  the  FHir-seal"  (p.  (!),  writes:  "It  appears  as  if  the  fur- 
seals  had  originally  passed  to  Behring  Sea  from  the  parent  stock  of  the 
Patagonian  region,  up  along  the  coast  of  South  America,  a  few  tariy- 
ing  at  the  dry  and  heated  Calai)agos  Islands,  the  rest  S])eeding  on  to 
the  northward,  disturbed  by  the  clear  skies  and  sandy  beaches  of  the 
Mexican  coast,  on  and  n|»  to  the  great  fish-si)awning  shores  of  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands  and  Ik'hriug  Sea.  There  on  the  Pribylolf  group  and  the 
bluffy  Commander  Islands  they  found  that  union  of  cool  water,  well- 
ada])ted  landing,  and  moist  foggy  air  which  thej' had  missed  since  they 
lei't  the  storm-beaten  coasts  far  below." 

8!»7.  We  have,  however,  received  from  the  Director  of  the  Natural 
History  Dei)avtnient  of  the  British  .Museum  a  very  valuable  Mem- 
orandum (Api)endix  D).  pointing  out  the  structural  and  other  dilfer- 
ences  which  distinguish  the  various  s])ecies  of  fur-seal,  and 
149  wliicli  clearly  indicate  that  the  seals  fre(]uenting  the  North 
Pacific  do  not  migrate  south  of  the  Equator.  Nor  can  we  hold 
out  any  hoi)e  that,  as  was  expressed  by  a  New  Zealand  authority,  the 
])eiserution  of  the  fur-seal  in  the  North  Pacific  ina.v*drive  them  south 
t(t  replenish  New  Zealand  rookeries. 

S'.is.  The  rel.ilive  importanceof  the  South  Sea  tishery  is  insiginflcanl 
at  the  present  day  in  comparison  with  that  of  the  North  Pacitic.    In 


•opin- 
,1'  the 


itural 
Mcm- 
(lilVer- 
iiiid 
North 
e  hold 
y,  the 
south 

ficani 
In 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


217 


tho  lattor  tho  last  full  years  jrave  a  total  eatch  of  about  190,(V)0,  whereas 
the  total  eateh  south  of  the  K<|Uiifor  only  reaciu's  LTijOOO.  Hut  the 
Soulli  Seas,  dnriuj;  tho  lirst  sev«'iity  years  of  the  fisheries,  produced  at 
h'ast  1(J,()U(),()(K)  seals,  wlwreas  from  tlic  Xorth  Paeifi<;it  seems  probable 
lliat  not  more  than  r),()0{>,0()()  have  been,  in  all,  secured  in  110  years. 
T(»  reinstate  in  some  dejiiee  Hie  Soutli  Sea  fisheries  would  thus  be  to 
revive,  if  only  partially,  a  {jreat  and  most  profitable  industry. 

S!»!>.  At  tlie  same  time,  in  tho  immediate  matter  of  the  preservation 
of  the  fur- seal  in  the  Noitlu^rn  Pacific,  it  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  that 
actual  ex])erience  in  the  South  Seas  proves  iucontestably  the  following 
amonj;-  otlier  facts: 

(i.)  Excessive  slau}::hter  on  shore,  in  the  entire  abseuce  of  any  pelagic 
sealing,  results  in  commercial  extermination. 

(ii.)  Excessive  slaughter  and  disturbance  causes  absolute  depletion 
and  desertion  in  given  breeding  places,  leading  the  surviving  heals  to 
seek  other  resorts. 

(iii.)  As  Fanuing  has  recorded,  while  old  rookeries  are  being  depleted 
and  new  ones  being  taken  up,  more  seals  are  seen  at  sea  than  ever. 

JM)(>.  This  is  a  timely  object  lesson  for  the  North  Pacific,  where  from 
two  known  breeding  resorts,  for  the  i)ast  twenty-five  years,  so  great  a 
numl)er  of  skins  have  been  taken  (§  4.'{  et  ftrq.)  by  excessive  slaughter 
on  shore,  aiul  complaints  are  now  made  officially  that  unless  strong 
measures  of  rest  and  recuiieration  are  promjitly  adopted  the  seals  fre- 
(luenting  tliese  resorts  will  disajijiear.  Undoubtedly,  they  will  seek 
other  breeding  places. 

1)01.  ]\Ir.  Jilaine  has  done  good  service  in  drawing  attention,  in  his 
despatch  of  the  17th  December,  ISKO,  to  the  disastrous  results  in  the 
South  Seas  following  on  indiscriminate  and  unrestiicted  slaughter  of 
the  fur-seal.  There  lias  never  been  recorded  any  move  self  evident  and 
striking  example  of  the  consequences  of  excessive  slaughter  by  man. 
It  is  therefore  useful  to  bear  in  mind  the  jm-cise  character  and  circum- 
stances of  the  seal  fishery  of  the  Southern  Hemisi^here. 


VIII.— Marketing  the  Seal-skins. 

902.  The  process  of  preparing  the  seal-skins  for  the  market,  costing, 
on  the  whole,  18s.  to  20.s'.  per  Klein,  is  the  work  of  a  prosperous  industry 
in  London. 

The  skins  are  landed  in  the  docks,  and  sorted  for  size,  quality,  and 
kind,  ready  for  the  sale-room.  ICventually  they  arrive,  thus  graded,  at 
the  factory,  and  are  dealt  with  in  batches.  The  process  commences 
with  the  removal  of  tlie  fat  and  flesh  left  on  the  skins  by  careless  skin- 
ning; the  next  stej)  is  thoroughly  to  cleanse  the  skin  by  hot- water 
washing  and  stretching,  after  which  the  skins  are  deftly  shaved  down 
to  the  requisite  thinness.  They  are  then  treated  in  a  hot  chamber,  and 
the  outer  hair  taken  off.  Tiie  completing  stages  are  those  of  dyeing  to 
a  uniform  colour,  and  finally  shaving  the  skin  down  to  the  necessary 
thinness.  At  every  stage  much  technical  skill  and  judgment  are 
required. 

903.  It  is  a  noteworthy  fact,  that  nearly  all  fur-seal  skins  are  taken 
to  London  to  be  dressed  and  sold.  The  fur-seal  industry  thus  gives 
employment  to  nuu;h  shipping  on  the  Pacific,  to  railways  across  the 
American  continent,  and  to  shipping  on  the  Atlantic;  while  in  the 
business  of  insurance,  and  in  the  sale  of  the  raw  and  finished  skins, 
both  wholesale  and  retail,  as  well  as  in  the  processes  above  described, 
very  considerable  xjrofits  are  realized. 


9 


r 


I 


150 


Part  III. 
CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 


904.  In  commencing:  our  Report,  we  ex])lainert  tlie  steps  taken  to  carry 
out  the  duties  assigned  to  us.  In  Part  I  we  Lave  given  tlie  conclusions 
to  which  our  investigations  have  led  us  in  regard  to  tiie  facts  and  con- 
ditions of  seal  life  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean,  and  to  the  measures 
necessary  for  the  proper  i)roti'<;tion  and  piesci vati()n  of  the  fur-seal. 
In  Part  II  and  in  the  A])])endiccs  there  ar<' presented,  in  fuller  detail,  the 
results  of  our  investigations,  together  with  such  collateral  inforunition 
or  evidence  as  a])[)ears  to  be  necessary  to  enable  Just  conclusions  to  bo 
arrived  at. 

905.  In  conclusion,  we  would  wish  to  record  our  ln\'-h  api)reciation  of 
the  ready  response  aflbrded  to  our  inquiries  by  the  numerous  persons 
to  whom  we  addressed  them,  whether  in  correspondence  or  by  word  of 
mouth. 

900.  To  the  oOicials  of  the  United  States  Government,  to  the  Com- 
manding OOicers  of  the  men  of-war  and  revenue  cruizers,  as  well  as  to 
the  represeutatives  of  the  Alaska  Commercial  and  North  American 
Commercial  Companies,  we  are  greatly  indebted  for  the  hosi)itality  ai;  ' 
courtesy  they  uniformly  extended  to  us,  as  well  as  for  the  zeah>us  and 
ready  assistance  they  rendered  us  in  our  endeavours  to  obtain  the  infor- 
mation of  which  we  were  in  search. 

907.  From  the  Adnural  in  command  of  the  Pacific  Station  and  the 
Commanders,  oflicers,  and  men  of  Jler  INIajesty's  shijjs  "Nymphe," 
"Porpoise,"  and  "Pheasant,"  we  received  every  assistance  and  aid,  and 
they  secured  for  us  much  valuable  infornuition. 

908.  We  would  venture  si)ecially  to  commend  the  industry,  zeal,  and 
ability  with  which,  throughout  our  investigations  and  negotiations,  Mr. 
Ashley  Froude  has  conducted  the  arduous  duties  of  Secretary  to  the 
Commission  and  Joint  Secretary  to  the  Joint  Commission.  We  would 
also  beg  that  the  Government  of  Canada  may  be  informed  of  the  pains- 
taking, capable,  and  thorough  numner  in  which  we  have  been  assisted 
throughout  by  Mr.  James  Macoun. 

All  of  which  we  humbly  submit,  for  the  gracious  consideration  of  your 
Majesty. 

(Signed)  Geokge  Baden-Powell. 

George  M.  Dawson. 
(Signed)       Ashley  Froude,  Secretary. 
June  21, 1892. 
218 


en  to  carry 
loncliisioiis 
s  Hiul  con- 
5  iiieasuies 
le  fur-seal, 
detail,  the 
itoriuiitiou 
sioiis  to  be 

eciation  of 
as  persons 
iy  word  of 

the  Corn- 
well  as  to 
American 
trtlity  an  ' 
salons  and 
the  infor- 

n  and  the 
Nyinphe," 
d  aid,  and 

,  zeal,  and 
tions,  Mr. 
try  to  the 
Wa  would 
the  i)ains- 
i  assisted 

>u  of  your 

3WELL. 

ON. 


Mipi,Aei  I  to  5  ifi  face  p  /W 

. 


5  JULY-8  OCTOBER,  1891- 


%. 


ftooo.j/as  u»1.)  '9  scs 


't  ■  J 


▼ 


No.  1.    TRACK  CHART  OF  ROUTES  FOLLOWED  BY  THE  BRITISH 


liMHMi 


Mn\>i,,So%  I  to  '>  I"  lact  p  I  SO 


I 


THE  BRITISH  BEHRING  SEA  COMMISSIONERS,  15  JULY-8  OCTOBER,  1891. 


f2ooo.3/93  iia1-)  ro  sos. 


m 


II 


HE  NORTH  PACIFIC. 


ITV    Of    riOBBEN    ISLAND    AND    THK    KUK'l.t    ISLANDS 
.0 


faoou  ilsi.nt^)  Fo.  sos 


^ 


■Jjw 


180' 


S^MaXttvewx^ 


BEHRING        SEA 


,  .  >^<^    /  /  / / 


'l^  i\3i/  /"/^^ 


I? 


//// 

/ 


f-W? 


/<?c?" 


Nounwaky      "^^ 


PrCbyLaffl* 


au^ 


iAAX^^ 


IS 


l(P^ 


d^^    ^ 


■J";!^^i?--°^vV«v^/^,^ 


;.  ^V'"""**^ 
\       ^v. 


\ 


'V 


-h- 


f#tr 


No.  2.    SKETCH  MAP  ILLUSTRATING   RESORTS  AND  MIGRATION 


m 


^iUMMER    HABITATS 

WINTER    HABITATS. 

NORTHERLY    MIGRATION    ROUTES    IN    EARLY    SUMMER 

SOUTHERLY    MIGRATION    ROU^fS    IN    AUTUMN. 


(N 


iBi 


II 


ND  MIGRATION   ROUTES  OF  FUR  SEALS  IN  THE  NORTH  PACIFIC. 


(NOTE  -THE   SUMMER    HABITATS   OF    SEALS    IN    THE    VICINITY    OF    riOBBEN    ISLAND   AMD    THE    KUR'I.E    IJUANDS 
ARE    MEBtLY    INDICATED   AS   THEY    CANNOT    BC    DtFINlD 


/aOOO    J,'S3.II'*''.}  1=0.  SOi. 


CaooffV*""^  )  '" 


T 


li^**>l 


No.  3.    SKETCH   MAP  SHOWING  APPROXIMATELY  THE  AREA  FR 

EXTENDING  FROM  JULY   15th  TO  AU 


C—Zl 


AREA  CHARACTERIZED  BY  ABUNDANT  SEALS 
AREA  CHARACTERIZED  BY  SCATTERED  SEALS. 


(NOT«=.- 

is  h 

OF 

N07 


41.'.'..' rt 'A'.L.'.oir  - 


Ill 


'  THE  AREA  FREQUENTED  BY  FUR  SEALS  IN  THE  PERIOD 
JLY   15th  to  august  16th.  1891. 


,^^^,^  _^„,  ,„,  O,  ABUNDANT  SEALS  IN  THE  V.CNITV  OF  rHF.  COMMANDE,^  ISLANDS,  .N  TH.S  PERIOD, 
',S  NOT  .ND.CATEO.  AS  THE  mVA.LABLE  INFORMATION  RESPECTING  -T  ,S  .NSUFF.C.ENT,  SMALLER  AREAS 
OF  SEAL  OCCURRENCE  .N  THE  V.C.N.TY  OF  ROBBEN  ISLAND  AND  SOME  OF  .'HE  KURILE  ISLANDS  ARE 
NOT    SHOWN    FOR   THE    SAME   REASON.) 


f»00f.3/9i  li»1  )  fO    'OS. 


iv: 


n 


IN  THE  PERIOD 


OF  THE  COMMANDER  ISLANDS.  IN  THIS  PERIOD. 
noNS.  SMALLER  AREAS  OF  SEAL  OCCURRENCE 
THE    KURILE    ISLANDS    ARE    NOT    SHOWN    AS    NO 


t  k*att'*iL^«;n^  ..L- 


fMe».3/»3  lltl.)  »■.•  sc. 


1W 


160 


18V ' 


<* 


NoiuiivaJc*''^    ^-^ 


PlU^MTI* 


P 


Diagram  tktwtn^  rt 
var'wut directions,  each  obse 

Number  c/ealms  in  9 

The  figure  indicates  a 


Observations  mostly 
east  of  170"  W,  and 
between  parallels  of  54° 
aW(5o°. 


No.  4.    SKETCH  MAP  SHOWING  APPROXIMATELY  THE  AREA  I 

EXTENDING  FROM  AUGUST  16TH  TO  S 


AREA    CHARACTERIZED    BY    ABUNDANT    SEALS. 
AREA    CHARACTERIZED    BY    SCATTERED    SEALS, 


(NOT 

I 


ckeart  Wiirieim^  ijui,  .,,  ,c  : 


IV 


.Y  THE  AREA  FREQUENTED  BY  FUR  SEALS  IN  THE  PERIOD 
UST  16th  to  SEPTEMBER  15th,  1891. 


(NOTE.-THt  AREA  OF  ABUNDANT  SEALS  IN  THE  VICINITY  OF  THE  COMMANDER  ISLANDS,  IN  THIS  PERIOD, 
DEPENDS  UPON  A  VER*  LIMITED  NUMCER  OF  OBSERVATIONS.  SMALLER  AREAS  OF  SEAL  OCCURRENCE 
IN  THE  VICINITY  OF  ROBBEN  ISLAND  AND  SOME  OF  TliE  KURILE  ISLANDS  ARE  N01  C^t./N  AS  NO 
INFORMATION    IS   AVAILABLE    RESPECTING    THEM  ' 


fMOOt.  3/99  nil.)  K0    SOS. 


li^ 


1«E0 


1830 


1840 


.0 


DIAGRAM    REPRESENTING  THE   NUMBER   OF   FUR  SEALS   KILLED  ANNUALLY  ON   THE   PRIB 

FROM    1817   TO    1891. 


DIAGRAM    REPRESENTING   THE   NUMBER  OF   FUR  SEALS   KILLED  ANNUALLY  ON   THE   COMK 


ymnberJiUM  on  (hmwmid^rLslrxnds  in  <v.         r  i/rr.rs .  nof  nscrrfr,uu^<^ . 


DIAGRAM   REPRESENTING   THE   NUMBER   OF   FUR   SEAL  SKINS  PURCHASED   BY  THE   HUDS 

BEING   A   PORTION   OF  THE   INDEPENDENT   INDIAN   C 


Xore.ron^  offru^io-n    (ansf    (nfrh   m  earlirr  t/^nrs. 


niAftRAM   REPRESENTING   THE    NUMBER   OF   FUR  SEAL  SKINS  OBTAINED  ANNUALLY   BY  C 
DIAGRAM   «f^P«^^SENJ,NG^THE^  ^U^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^^  sEAUNO  vessels  .s  not  .ncuuded.  .her. 


DIAGRAM   SHOWING   THE  AVERAGE   AUCTION   PRICES  OF   FUR   SEAL  SKINS  IN    LONDON,   F 


f2000.3/&2.IIS7)  F.O.305. 


1040 


laoo 


1870 


jarto 


1890 


300.000 


kLLY   ON   THE   COMMANDER   ISLANDS,   FROM    1862   TO   1891 


/iof  nscrrfrnfu^f^f . 


VSED   BY  THE   HUDSON'S  BAY   COMPANY   AT   POSTS  ON   THE  COAST,   FROM    1852   TO   1891, 
tPENDENT   INDIAN   COAST  CATCH    FOR   THESE   YEARS. 


rs. 


:D  ANNUALLY   BY  CANADIAN   SEALING   VESSELS,    FROM    1871    TO  1891 

I    NOT    INCLUDED,    THERE    BEING    NO    TRUSTWORTHY    STATISTICS    FOR    IT. 


(INS  IN   LONDON,   FROM   1871    TO   1891. 


1550 


1860 


1870 


1890 


♦0,000. 
2Q000 
0 


.5ft:ke'iqV.il,'if;'r4.-itfic''fi  V.^. 


^aim 


151 


APPENDICES. 


Appendix  (A). 

List  op  Peksons  and  Autiiohitiks  Sipplyin'g  Evidexck. 

TAst  of  those  xcho  gave  Personal  Evidence  <ni(l  hi  format  ion  to  thti  lichrinij  Sen  Comniisf^inii. 


No. 


ITame. 


riaco  and  Profession. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

10 

17 

18 

19 

•Jd 

l!l 

iiji 

24 
25 
20 
•27 
28 
29 

;ii 

32 

:u 

.14 

:t;i 

30 
37 
38 
31) 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
4,5 
40 
47 
48 
49 

r.o 

01 


Dr.  AolaTid 

Mr.  Al(>\iiii(li'r 

Mr.A.vili^ 

Mr.  Aiiilioiiko 

Mr.  <;.  A.  Hiildwin. 

ColoiU'l  ll;iiMes 

Mr.  I'.rIM  /111! 

(.'aptani  Ulair 

Cajiiniii  r.r.iiiilt 

^Ii-.  Iliisc.nvilz 

Mr.  SI:niliv  liiDWU 

Mr. .T.  IliniiH 

('ajilairi  li.ilicr 

^Ir.  (.nillurd 

Caiitiiiii  (joiilsim... 

(/'ajitaiii  Cox 

(,'iiptain  AV.  (,'(ix  .. . 
Mr.  li.  (Jmiiiitiiiliiiin 
Mr.  (i.  CMMiiiii^liaiu 

Mr.  Caiiiiilirll 

Mr.  F.Cii)ir 

Oajitaiii  Diidds 

Mr.  IJirlis 

Mr..T.  Karl.',  ir.  !•.. 
Ca|itaiii  I'.dwarcls.. 

]\Ir.  Einiiiniis 

Kii'iiteiiant  Kiiiiaou 

Kdi  UMa«' 

.\Ir.  K.  Fiulajson .. 

Mt.  Fowler 

Mr.  Fraaiu' 

Mr.  Foster 

Mr.  I'^eriiiiM^on 

I  Mr.  I'liiininerfelt .. 

M.CJrelMillzK-y 

Mr.  (irev 

Mr.  K.ll.  Hall 

Mr.  K.  Hall 

Mr.  T.  r..  Hall 

Mr.  .1.  Henderson.. 

Oapt.iiii  He:dey 

liev.  Ilii)diiiis  . .. 
ilr.  llaiiinipr.>doy .. 

A,  .IhIii1:<OI1 

"Captain  "  .Tack... 
I.itnitenaiit  Jarvis  . 

Kov.  —  .Jintiiiiiis 

.lesiiit  Missionaries 

Mr.lonis  

M.  Kaniyakoir 

Uuvuruur  Kuupp. . . 


Medieal  Ollieer,  Sf.  T'aiil  Island. 

'I'ladiM',  Ma-sei.  (tiiecn  (.'li.'irlott(?  T.slanda. 

Sij;nal  (lllii-er.  .\.mIi  ll.iy. 

A.  It.  (,'.  to  Coininaiiiiant.  IV'tropaulouslil. 

i'.ookKeeiicr.  St.  I'aiil  Island. 

Assistant  Treasiny  Auciit.SI.  I'anl  Islatid. 

Formerly  ein|)loye.  ilM<ls<in  liay  (;(anpany,  I'orl  SInip.son. 

Seliooiier  "Leon,''  I'etropaiiliJiiski. 

IJiissian  }:iin-tioat  "Aleut." 

Vietoria.  liritisli  Colniidiia. 

S  pi  rial  Ai;«nt  of  IT  idled  Si        ■  i  lovernnient,  l'fili\  lotV  NIaiida. 

Hniiter.  .St.  .Matti'.i'W  Islaml. 

Sealin,tr  seliooiier  "Viva,"  \  ietoiia.  liritisli  (^oliindpiii. 

JIan.iL;er,  Hudson  Hay  Coiii|iaii\ .  I'ort  Simpson. 

I'liitiil  Stales  Kevonnecriii/.er  ■■Kiish." 

A  til' lit  lor  K.  I'..  .Mat  viii  and  ( 'o.,  Vielori.i.  liritisli  ( '(dnmliia. 

i-ealliiK  seliooner  "Sappliiri',"  \  ielm-ia.  liiitisli  CoIiiihIi:;i 

Fnr-trader  and  ownor  of  Canuories,  I'oit  F,ssiii;;lon.  Iliili^li  Colmnlda. 

Dilto. 

Viineonver,  British  Cidninbia. 

Ditto. 

ISi'aliiissehoonpr  "Mapgie '^^.^c,"  Vietoria,  liritisli  Co  iimliia. 

Auent  of  Alaska  Comnierejal  Coinjiany,  Atkii  Island. 

Vietoria,  lirilisli  Coliiinliia. 

Vane.mver,  British  Coliindiia. 

(loUeetorof  Ctislonis,  ITnalaskii. 

United  Slates  sliip  "I'iiita,"  Sitka. 

Heida  Chief,  Masset. 

\'ieloria,  liritisli  ("oliinthia,  formerly piiijdoye  (d'  HiuKon  Hay  ' 'o'lipany. 

Afji^ntof  North  Ameriean  (!ominereial  tJompaiiy,  .St.  I'aiil  Island. 

Vaneouvor,  British  Columbia. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Vietoria,  British  Colunihia. 

Administrator  of  Coinniander  Islands. 

Alaska  Coniniereial  (!oiiipaiiy.  I'liahiska. 

Vietoria,  British  Colnmliia. 

Tresident  of  Board  of  Tra<U',  Vi  doria,  liiil  i.--li  Colunihia 

Sr'ii'etiiry  of  ditto. 

Vai'eouver,  British  C'oluinhia. 

Tnited  States  revniu-eiui/.tT  "Boar." 

Bella  Holla. 

Vani'ouver,  British  ColumUin. 

linlian  hunter,  SInkaan. 

Native,  St.  I-awreiiee  Isl.nid. 

United  States  revenue cniizer  ' 

Missionary,  I'ort  Kssin^ton. 

liazeii  Bav,  <"a))e  Vaiiecpiiver. 

\ietoria,  liiili-^li  Cidninliia. 

Ouiiinunduut,  i'otrupauluuiikj. 

Sitka. 

818 


Boor." 


I  1 

i 


220  REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 

Listof  those  who  gave  Personal  Evidence  and  Infiirnuilioii,  r/c.— Contimicd. 


No. 

Name. 

Place  and  Pnifession. 

5? 

M-Klnire 

Agent  of  Rnf>Rian  Seal-akin  Cniniiany,  Copper  iHland. 

Treasury  Agent,  St.  George  Isbind. 

Agent  fur  Hutcliinson,  Eohl,  and  Co.,  retropaulouskl. 

Hndson  B.ay  Company,  Tort  Simpson. 

53 
64 

152 

55 

Captaiu  Lavender 

Mr.  J.  Linguist 

Mr.  Lockarby 

57 

Captain  Laiiiij  ......... 

Victoria    IfritLsli  Coliinilila 

58 

ri<i 

Martin  Lmibcrg 

Mr.  Milnp 

Qnarterniiisler,  8teani-slii|i  "  Dannlie." 

60 
61 

Captain  MiiiiT 

Captain  Meyer 

CoIfUH^l  M urray ........ . 

Sealinfr-seliooner  "Henry  Dennis,''  Siiitlle. 

SteaniHliip  "Danube." 

As.sistant  Treaanry  Agent.  St.  Paul  Isbind. 

Agejit  of  Kussian  Seal  sliin  Conii>iiny.  IJilirini;  Island. 

Late  Acent,  Alaska  Cuni reiiil  (Jr,ni|iiiny.  lieb ring  Island. 

Newspaper  reporter,  se.iUnfrseboiiner  "Otto." 

United  States  bL'!))  "  I'inta.  " 

Fur-trader,  Masset,  (Jneen  Cliarlotte  lalands. 

SeaJing-steamer  "  Eliza  lOd  wards." 

Vancouver, Britlsb  Cidiinibla. 

Ditto. 

fi'f 

Mr  Mor""!!!!          ........ 

64 

05 
6« 

17 

Mr.  MalanwanRki 

ilr.  MeMainm 

Capta in  M ajuard 

68 

Ca|>lain  .MeKeiizie 

70 

71 

Mr.  Alnnsie 

Owner  of  seiilin"'-seliooner8.  Victoria,  Uritlab  Colnnibi.l. 

72 
7S 
71 

Ca))taln  L.  Alaeloan 

Mr.  K.IJ.  Marvin 

Mr.I{.  Neninann 

Seallnt:-scliooner  "Favorite."  \icloria.  Mritisb  (cilnnibia. 
Owner  ol'  senlinL'-scliminer.  Vii  toriii,  Hrllisli  Coliinibia. 
Ajieiit  1)1'  Al:isU:i  (,'(inHiieni;il  Company,  Unalaska. 

76 
77 
78 
79 

Mr..I.  (".  Xixon 

Mr.  Oppei'lieimer 

Mr.  Kedpafli 

Owner  of  sealinji-sclMiimer.s,  Seattle. 

Mayor  of  Vancouver,  ilritisli  ('<>lunil)lii. 

Man.'i;rerof  Nortli  American  Commercial  Company,  St.  Paul  Island. 

United  States  sliip  "Tliella." 

Vancouver,  JSrilish  Columbia. 

Ditto. 

Port  Townsend. 

Ditto. 

80 
81 

82 
8't 

Mr.  l!onnelelI 

Mr.  K.  I^olpertHon   

Mr.JuMtiet!  S'.i'an 

81 

Port  Essington. 
Ship-owTUT,  Yokobama. 

8'i 

Mr.  E.  K.  Sn.itli 

86 
87 

88 

Mr.  Stevon.xon 

Mr.  G.  K.  Tingle 

Vancouver.  Hritisb  Cidnmbia. 

Sn))orlntendcnt,   Nortb    American    Commcrcl.al    Company,   Pribyloff 

Isl.inds. 
Russian  Government  Agent  on  Copper  Island. 
Van('on\'er,  liritisli  (N)lnmbla. 

8n 

Mr.  Tatlow 

90 
91 
92 

C:iiit.'iin  Warren 

Mr.  \Val.'<li 

ilr.  W'ji.slilturii  ......... 

Victoria,  liritisb  CulMmliiii. 

Navigator  of  seiiliiig  s<b(ioner  "  Wanderer." 

Agent  of  Alasldi  Connnercial  (Jomjiany,  Kodiali  Island. 

Kesident  Agent  of  Nortb  Aniericiin  Ciimniercinl  Company,  St.  George 

Island. 
United  States  Treasury  Agent,  St.  Paul  Island. 

01 

Mr.  I).  Webster 

94 

Major  Williams 

A 

bout  100  natives,  Alei 

Aleut  nfltivns 

its  ami  Indians,  as  follows: 

Village,  St.  Paul  lal.ind. 
Northeast  I'oint.  St.  Paul  Island. 

It 
II 
II 

It 

It 
11 

Indl.m 
11 

II 

ti 

It 

II 

11 

It 

It 

II 

It 

Unaliiska. 

II 

Atka  Island 

II 

Attn  Island. 

It 

(flipper  Island. 

Village,  Helirlng  Island. 

Nortli  Itookcrv,  Heliring  Island. 

Sitka. 

Shakaan  (llanega  tribe,  from  Klawok). 

Port  Simiison. 

Pellaliella. 

("layoquot  Sound. 

Masset.  Queen  ('I'.arlotte  Islands. 

Nuwitti,  Hope  Islainl. 

Neali  Uav  (Makab  tribi'). 

11 

II 

8  (Tlinkif) 

(Klawok) 

('I'sliimsiiin)  ... 

(lliiill/.iik) 

(Aliti    

(IliiiilM) 

(Ivwakiool)  .... 
(Abt) 

Indian  o'llice,  Victoria,  liritisb  Cidnmbla  (various  tribes) 

153  The  iollowlng  are  the  sonrcos  from  which  wiittiMi  iiiforinntiom  lias  been 

obtuiued  by,  or  at  the  request  of,  the  Behriiig  Son  Ciuiiiiiissiou: 


1.  Colonial  Governments. 


Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
Falkland  Islands. 
Newfoundland 
New  South  Wal48. 


New  Zealand. 

Taainaiiia. 

Victoria. 


REPORT   OP    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


221 


.  Island. 


rribyloflf 


it,  George 


2.  Foreign  Governments. 

Argentine  Republic. 

Bnizil. 

Chile. 

Japan. 

8.  Her  Majesty's  Consuls  abroad. 

Canton. 
Honolula. 


Monte  Video. 

Russia. 

Uruguay. 


San  Francisco, 

Sliaiighae. 


4. 


Officers  of  Her  Majesty's  Ships  and  Canadian  Government  Officials. 

Admiral  Hotliam,  C.  B.,  Senior  Naval  Officer,  E.sciuiuialt 
Coimuander  Turner,  R.  N.,  Her  Majestj's  ubip  "  N  vniplie  " 
Coiumauder  Burr,  K.  N.,  Her  Majesty's  sliip  "Porjloise  " 
Lieuteiiaut-Couiniandcrlladley,  R.  N.,  Her  Majesty's  sliin  "  Plieasant." 
Mr.  A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Customs,  Victoria,  liVitisli  Columbia 
Indian  Agents  ou  coast  of  British  Coluuibia,  through  Mr.  A.  W.  Vowcll. 

5.  Miscellaneous. 

Mr.  de  Bunsen,  British  Legation,  T6ki0. 

Earl  Bro willow. 

Captain  Devereux,  Graving  Dock,  Esquinialt. 

Profi'ssor  Flower,  C.  B.,  Natural  History  Museum,  London. 

Captain  David  Gray. 

Dr.  Giiiither,  Natural  History  Museum,  Loudon. 

Hudson  Bay  Company. 

Mr.  A.  W.  Hu.s)on. 

Sir  George  Curtis  Lampson,  Bart. 

Mr.  A.  Lai'one,  M.  P. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Mackay. 

Professor  Sir  F.  McCov,  Melbourne. 

Sir  R.  Morier,  G.  C;.  B". 

Mr.  Murray,  "Cballcnger"  Office,  Edinburgh. 

Baron  Nordenskiold. 

Mr.  Sclater,  Zoological  Society,  London. 

Mr.  Justice  Swan. 

Mr.  E.  Mauude- '  lompsou,  British  Museum. 

Mr.  W.  C.  Vauliorue. 


154 


Uas  been 


Appendix  (T?). 


ClKCULAK  TO,   AND  REPLIES  FROM,   Cor.OMAL   AM)   FoUKKJM   GOVERNMENTS. 

The  following  Circular  of  Inquiry  Avas  pn-,,a,v.l  by  tb.,  lioliring  Sea  Commission- 
ers, and  forwarded  at  their  request  to  the  Goyiimnonts  of—  ^"lumissiou 


The  Capo  of  Good  Hope. 

The  Falkland  Islamis. 

New  South  Wales. 

Victoria. 

Tasmania. 

New  Zealand. 


Cbilc. 

Argentine  Republic. 
Uracil. 
I  1  iiguay, 
Japan. 


Such  replies  as  have  been  received  are  given  below. 

In  addition  to  this  Circular,  direct  correspoudeuco  was  entered  into  with  the 
authorities  on  the  same  subjects. 

Circular  of  Inquiry. 

The  Department  of  Fisheries  of  the  Dcmiinion  of  Canada,  in  connection  with 
questions  renting  to  the  fur-seal  tisherios  of  tbe  North  Pacifle,  islsZrs  of  obS 
ing  all  possil)le  inlorinntiou  relating  to  the  fur-seal  llsIieiieH  of  tiie  Soiitli.ni  H.-mis- 
phoro.    1  he  southern  lur-scal,  or  "soa-b.iir' '  ( of  tin-  Ibniily  of  oared  seals,  or  Otarida) 
IB  known  to  have  iormed  the  object  of  an  important  industry  in  the  Wly  part  of 


II 


Si'ili 


I 


222 


REPORT   OF   BT?ITTSH   COMMISSIONERS. 


the  j)reHent  century,  l)ut  tlio  islands  on  wliicli  it  onco  .iljotin(l(Ml  arc  now  reporter!, 
and  believed  to  be,  almost  entirely  depicted  of  seals.  As  thu  habits  and  liCe-liistory 
of  the  fur-seal  of  the  North  I'acilic  apju'ur  to  be  <'l!)scly  similar  to  tliose  of  the  allied 
seals  of  the  Southern  lIemis])]iore,  it  is  thought  pr()t)able  that  the  history  of  tho 
decline  of  the  southern  lislieries  may  aflord  some  facts  havinj;  a  direct  bearini;  on 
the  fur-seal  fisheries  of  the  North  Pai'itic,  and  may  servo  to  indicate  a  proj)er  mode 
of  protection  to  l)e  accorded  to  these  fisheries,  if  such  should  be  found  nei'cssary. 

In  this  connection,  it  would  be  of  ]>  iticnlar  interest  to  know  for  each  of  the  seal 
islands  or  sealiiijf-fi;rounds  of  the  Southern  Ilcuiis])here: 

1.  Whether  the  decline  or  destruction  of  the  lishcry  is  attributable  to  the  slaiij^hter 
of  tlie  seals  while  on  shore  at  their  breeding-places,  or  to  thoir  jjursuit  at  large  on 
the  cii'cumjacent  ocean. 

2.  In  what  manner  the  fur-seal  fishery  has  been  or  8  conducted  in  each  particular 
locality. 

3.  Whether  any,  and,  if  any,  what  measures  have  been  taken  by  various  Govern- 
ments towards  the  proteclion  of  the  fiir-s(>al  (isheries  in  their  territories  or  in  places 
within  their  jurisdiction;  and,  furthei-,  if  any  such  nu'asnres  are  known  to  have 
proved  successful  in  preserving  or  relialdlitating  the  llshcrics. 

4.  (ienerally,  any  particulars  as  to  the  lifc-liistory  of  tlie  animal,  its  migration, 
season  of  bringing  forth  its  young,  and  the  habits  of  the  seals  while  engaged  in 
suckling  and  rearing  the  young. 

It  is  also  parti(!ularly  reciuested  that  copies  of  any  i)rinted  documents  or  Reports 
referring  to  the  fur-seal  lisherios,  or  embodying  Regulations  provided  for  these  lish- 
eries,  may  be  furnished. 


Reply  to  Circular  received  from  the  Government  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

MINUTE. 

In  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  his  Kxc(dlency  the  Governor's  Minute  of  the  25th 
August  last,  inclosing  a  (lcs])atcli  from  the  K'ight  Ilonouralile  the  Sei^retary  of  State 
for  the  Colonies,  re(iuestiiig  to  be  supplied  witli  certain  ])artieular8  rospecting  the 
fur-seal  fishery  of  this  Colony  for  tlie  informaticm  of  tho  Canadian  Goveruniont, 
Ministers  have  the  honour  to  submit  herewith  a  Report  which  has  been  receivc(l 
from  the  Government  Agent  in  charge  of  the  seal  and  guano  islands,  affording  the 
desired  i>articular8. 

(Signed)  J.  W.  Sauer. 

Capk  Town,  October  SO,  1891. 


Eeport  upon  the  present  Condition  of  the  Seal  Fishery  on  the  Coasts  of  the  Cape  of  Good 

Hope. 

The  decline  of  the  seal  fishery  in  these  waters  is  ittriluited  by  jiractical  ex])ert8 
entirely  to  the  dcstructioJi  of  the  females  in  the  breeding  season,  and  but  for  the 
fact  that  there  are  many  plai'es  almost  inaccessible,  and  otlicrs  where  laiuling  is  difli- 
ciilt,  the  seal  in  these  waters  would  jirobably  have  been  oxterniiuated,  as  no  protec- 
lion or  lci;islation  of  any  kind  has  ever  been  considered  necessary. 
155  During  the  "springs,"  as  tiiey  are  t(H'huically  callcMl,  at  certain  seasons  of 

the  year,  the  seals  are  destroyeil  with  clubs  by  men  landing  upon  the  islands 
from  boats. 

The  winter  or  shedding  seasiui  commeuc(>s  in  Juno  and  ends  in  August,  during 
which  ])eriod  numbers  of  male  seals  are  killed,  but  very  few  females,  M'ho  do  not 
ai)i)car  to  I'ome  out  of  the  water  at  this  season  oi'  th(\  year, 

The  summer  or  breeding  season,  which  extends  from  November  to  .January,  is, 
however,  by  far  the  most  important  as  regards  the  nuuibcr  of  seals  destroyed,  and 
of  thesi'  the  larger  portion  are  females,  eitlier  about  to  give  birlli  or  suckliug  their 
young.  Of  course,  in  the  former  case,  all  these  seals  are  lust:  in  tho  latter,  tho 
greater  number  perish;  and  but  for  a  happy  provision  of  nature,  whereby  a  fcuuile 
se  il  will  suckl((  any  young  oik;,  tho  destruction  of  the  new-born  seal  would  be  eom- 
])lete. 

As  the  Colonial  <ioverumeut  uj)  to  the  present  have  always  cnulented  themselves 
with  letting  out  the  islands  u])on  short  leases,  with  no  restricticm  U|mui  the  lessees 
as  to  thi^  killing  of  Hi>al,  iVc.,  no  olhcial  iufornuition  or  statistics  of  :iuy  kind  can  be 
furnished. 

'I"he  life  of  a  seal  in  the  southern  waters,  if  unuioleistcd.  is  supposed  to  extend  over 
a  considerable  perio<l, !  nd  it  arrives  at  nuilurity  ii  about  three  ^'eam.     Tho  old  male 


nj^  the 
3aueu. 

I  of  Good 


iiiiiry,  IS, 
)yc(l,  and 
iiif^  tlit'ir 

itttT,   tlio 

;l  fcilllllo 

I  IjC  COlll- 


tciidovor 
>  old  iiiiile 


RKrORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


223 


seals,  railed  "bulls"  or  "whij^.s/'  attain  an  oiioriiiniis  size,  and  tii:lit  desperately 
anioiifj  tlicnisclves.  The  fcnialfs  frcuciiilly  iiiodncc  two  ])U]Mi  at  a  liirth,  and  inimo- 
diati'ly  alt<'i\\  ards  take  the  male.  The  "  cow  "  will  suekh^  any  ol'  the  young  seals, 
whether  her  own  or  not,  and  tliiis  jx'riod  of  nur.siiig  continues  more  or  less  lor  about 
BIX  months. 

As  regards  their  migrations,  it  is  diiricnlt  to  give  an  oi)iiiion,  as  seals  are  always 
to  be  found  in  these  waters,  althougli  they  do  not  take  u])  M])on  the  islands  in  any 
numbers  except  at  the  seasons  1  iiave  mentioned;  but  1  think  it  may  be  naturally 
nsKumed  that  their  migrations,  whatever  they  uniy  be,  are  regulated  solely  by  the 
food  supply. 

I'nfortunately,  as  I  have  stated  before,  there  are  no  printed  documents  or  Reports 
of  any  kind  icferring  to  tin;  subject,  but  I  have  availed  myself  of  information  kindly 
furnished  liy  the  Itest  jiractical  ex])erts  in  the  Colony,  v  ith  whom  1  have  been  asso- 
ciated, who  are  unanimous  in  their  oi)inion — lirst,  that  the  seals  are  decreasing  in 
these  waters:  and,  secondly,  that  the  sole  cause  of  this  decrease  at  the  present  time 
Is  to  be  found  in  the  <lestruction  of  the  t'cnuiles  during  the  breeding  season. 

AVe  have  ])ractically  no  pursuit  of  the  animals  in  the  water  on  these  coasts. 

At  one  ])erio(l,  most  of  the  islands  were  inhabited  by  seals,  but  there  are  compara- 
tively few  at  the  present  time  upon  those  islands  in  the  innnediate  vicinity  of  Capo 
Town,  and  this  may  be  accounted  for  by  many  reasons,  besides  the  most  important 
wliich  I  have  ,ilrea<ly  mentioned.  Seals  are  very  timid,  and  the  iu)i8e  of  a  steamer 
Will  scare  them  away;  in  fact,  passing  to  windward  in  a  sailing  vessel,  within  2  or3 
miles  of  an  island  whi(th  the\  fre<iuent,  will  generally  disturb  them.  It  re([uire8 
consideral)lo  experience  to  ai)])r(iacli  them,  and  old  sealers  never  attempt  to  do  so  on 
these  coasts  wlicn  an  easterly  wind  is  blowing. 

Upon  several  islands,  esjieeially  in  the  Ichaboe  group,  iire  to  be  found  the  remains 
of  vast  numbers  of  "seal,"  proliabjy  the  eti'ects  of  an  e])idemic  disease  at  some  dis- 
tant ])eiiod.  In  nuiny  ]daccs,  the  hair,  which  is  practically  Indestructible,  has  been 
found  mixed  with  earth  to  the  (le])lh  (d'  several  feet,  and  this  when  sifted  gives  a  fair 
I)erceutage  of  ammonia  and  phosi)hate,  probably  the  residue  of  the  bodies  and  bones 
of  the  dead  animals. 

The  average  valine  of  seal-skins  in  th(i  rough  state  in  the  London  market,  taken  in 
these  latitudes,  i.s  about  '2'>n.,  but  many  fetch  a  miuh  higher  price.  No  attcm])t  has 
been  made  in  the  Colony  to  dress  the  skins,  aiul  there  has  been  no  sale  for  them  locally 
exce])t  for  export. 

The  system  of  killing  the  seals  is  the  same  throughout  all  the  colonial  islands, 
namely,  with  "<'lubs,"  by  men  landing  in  boiits. 

Tlie  skins  are  salted  ujion  the  sjiot,  folded  up,  tied,  and  sent  to  Cape  Town  by 
coasting  ('rait,  from  whence  they  are  shijiped  to  Europe. 

(Signed)  C.  H.  Jacksox, 

Government  Agent  in  charge  of  the  Seal  and  Guano  Islands. 

Cape  Town,  October  9, 1891. 


Reply  to  Circular  received  from  the  Government  of  the  Falkland  Islandi. 

GOVEltNOK  KII{   U.   (iOLUSWOKTUY  TO  LOKU   KNUTSFORD. 

GDVKiiNMENT  HousK,  Stanley,  October  S6,  ISDl. 
My  Lonn :  I  have  the  honour,  in  reply  to  your  des])atch  of  the  Slst  .Inly,  inclosing 
a  des])atch  from  the  (iovenior-tieneral  of  Canada  asking  for  infornuition  regarding 
the  seal  lisheries  in  these  seas,  to  forward  a  precis  of  tlio  rei)lies  to  the  (luestions 
asked,  which  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  here. 

1  regret  that  the  information  is  not  as  full  as  might  be  desired,  but,  unfortunately, 
Captain  Hansen,  an  old  and  exjxrienceil  sealer,  from  whom  I  had  hoped  to  obtain 
full  ))articulars,  was  accidentally  drowned  lielure  my  letter,  reiiuesting  his  views 
on  a  matter  on  which  he  was  looked  upon  as  an  authority,  reached  him. 

I  hav(!  been  given  to  understand  by  those  conversant  with  these  matters — indeed, 
it  is  referred  to  in  tlie  aecomiianying  i)recis— that  foreign  vessels  destroy  the  seals 
in  the  close  seastm,  which  exists  here  from  the  1st  October  to  the  1st  April. 

The  foreign  vessels  alluded  to  are  American   sealers,  and  formed  the  sub- 
156      Ject  of  corresi)ondence  between  (iovernor  Kerr  and  Caiitain  Musgrave,  Senior 
Naval  Odicer  on  the  South-East  Anu'iican  Station. 
I  shall  ])robably,  when  better  informed  on  the  whole  (luestion,  bo  able  to  submit 

my  views  on  tin- subject.     At  present  I  refrain  IV hung  so. 

\  have,  &o. 

(Siyneil)  lloi.KJt  TichiD.  GuLi'f^WuKTUY, 


mmm 


224 


REPORT  OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


I'rMs  of  Replies  to  Circular  of  Inquiry  emanatintjfrom  the  Dejyartment  of  Fisheries  of  the 
Dominion  of  Canada  relating  to  the  Fur-Senl  Fishvri/  of  the  Southern  Hemisphere  which 
have  been  received  from  Residents  in  the  Falkland  Islands. 

Question  1.  Whether  the  decline  or  destruction  of  the  fishery  is  attributable  to  the 
■laughter  of  the  seals  while  on  shore  at  their  breading  places,  or  to  their  pursuit  at 
large  on  the  circunijaceut  oceim. 

Honourable  J.  J.  Felton. — The  main  cause  is  due  to  the  reckless  and  indiscriminate 
slaughter  of  the  seals  during  their  breiding  season ;  the  death  of  the  mothers,  leav- 
ing the  young  to  perish,  and  the  numbers  who  arc  driven  from  their  resorts  bring 
forth  their  young  in  the  water,  which  naturally  ])erish.  It  has  not  been  the  practice 
to  shoot  the  seals  in  the  water.     If  so  shot,  they  sink. 

J.J.  Goodhart  sends  cutting  from  the  "Field,"  which  he  thinks  fully  answers  the 
first  three  questions. 

E.  2\'ilsson. — The  decline  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  stocking  of  the  land  and  people 
taking  up  their  abode  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  rookeries. 

H.  II.  iValdron. — The  decline  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  including  the  Falklands, 
is  to  be  attributed  to  the  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  the  females  during  the  breeding 
season,  whereby  the  young  perish.  Pursuit  in  the  high  seas  is  not  carried  on  to  any 
extent. 

Question  2.  In  what  manner  the  fur-seal  fishery  has  been,  or  is,  conducted  ia  each 
particular  locality. 

J.  J.  Fellon. — Formerly,  by  means  of  whale-boats;  later  on,  by  cutters  and  schoon- 
ers. They  would  be  fitted  out  for  tlie  "  i)upping"  and  the  "shedding"  seasons;  as 
many  men  would  be  takeu  as  possible,  armed  with  clubs,  spears,  and  guns,  and, 
landing  at  the  breeding  places,  they  would  line  the  beach  and  endeavour  to  turn  the 
seals  from  taking  to  the  water.  If  successful  in  this,  the  seals  fell  an  easy  prey. 
Has  repeatedly  heard  it  said  that  so  many  were  killed  that  numbers  had  become  use- 
less before  they  could  be  skinned.  Now  that  the  seals  have  taken  to  outlying  rocks 
and  clill's,  the  work  is  less  profitable  and  more  dangerous. 

J.  J.  Goodhart, — See  answer  to  Question  1. 

E.  Mlsson. — They  have  been  usually  captured  by  shooting  or  clubbing. 

Henrji  IValdron. — By  men  landed  from  schooners,  who  remain  on  the  rookeries 
tintil  calm  weather  permits  them  to  be  taken  oil'. 

Question  3.  Whether  any,  and,  if  any,  what  measures  have  been  taken  by  various 
Governments  towards  the  protection  of  tlio  fur-seal  fisheries  in  their  territories,  or 
in  places  within  their  jurisdiction;  aud,  further,  if  any  such  measures  are  known  to 
have  prov  )d  successful  in  preserving  or  rehabilitating  the  fisheries. 

J.  J.  Felton. — In  the  Falklands,  since  the  close  season  was  enacted,  there  has  been 
an  increase  of  seals;  but  foreign  schooners  occasionally  break  the  law. 

J.  J.  Goodhart. — See  answer  to  Question  1. 

F.  Nilsson. — Does  not  see  any  improvement  since  the  Law  enacting  a  close  season 
was  passed. 

//.  }Vald7on. — To  the  same  effect  as  J.  J.  Felton. 

Question  4.  Generally,  any  particulars  as  to  the  life-history  of  the  animal,  its 
migration,  season  of  bringing  forth  its  young,  and  habits  of  the  seals  while  engaged 
in  suckling  and  rearing  the  yoiing. 

J.  J.  Felton. — Does  not  think  the  seal  migratory.  The  breeding  season  is  about 
midsummer,  when  both  male  and  female  make  for  a  suitable  place. 

The  "shedding"  season  is  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  Avhen  they  fre(]Uf3nt  rocks,  and 
the  young,  which  before  were  valueless,  become  marketable. 

./.  J.  Goodhart. — Has  not  studied  the  subject  suflLiciently  to  be  able  to  give  particu- 
lars. 

E.  Nilsson. — The  seal  generally  is  a  frviid  animal,  and  recedes  from  advancing  <iv- 
ilization,  and  migrates  to  any  pl.ico  wliero  it  can  remain  undisturbed. 

//.  }\'aldr<tn. — C)wing  to  keen  pursuit,  the  seals  jirefer  caves  and  ledges  of  rocks 
under  high  eliil's  to  form  breeding  rookeries.  The  fur-seal  hauls  up  to  breed  in  Jan- 
uary, the  young  leaving  in  May  for  other  rookeries  with  both  "  wliigs"  and  "  claji- 
nuitclu's."*  There  is  no  regular  migration,  but  it  is  probable  tliat.  wlien  hard 
pressed,  they  leave  the  South  Shetlands  and  mainland  for  the  Falklands.  "They 
are  peculiar  iu  liking  some  places  for  several  years,  and  then  at  oncf^  going  away 
and  not  hauling  u)>  tliero  again,  apparently  Avithout  cause,  in  some  instances  where 

but  few  were  kille<l  and  in  otliers  finite  unnudested." 
157  W  hen  sealers  leave  carcases  on  tlui  rocks,  seals  desert  the  place. 

Seals  will  not  increase  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere  until  tlie  Chilean  and 
Argentine  Governments  have  a  close  time  and  see  it  enforcisd. 

(Initialled)  V.  S.  S. 

October  28,  1891. 

"JS'ote. — "  Whigs,"  male  seals;  "clapmatches,"  female  seals. 


ia  about 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS.  225 

liCpli/  to  Cirriiliiy  inrinil  fn>m  Ihr  dintrnmoii  of  Xcw  South  ftoltn. 

(inVKUXOlt   I,()K1>  ,II',l!Si:v   TO    I.()l{l>    KNinSKOIlI). 

GOVKKNMKNT  Hoi'SE,  Sj/dnei/,  Ovtoliir  30,  IS!)/. 
My  I,oui>:  I  luivo,  tlio  honour,  in  reply  to  .vour  (Icspatrh  of  Uw  'MHh  .lul.v  last,  to 
state  tliat  I  rail  olitaiu  no  iul'iiruiation  foui'i-ruiuf;  tlio  Jiir-Neal  t'mlicry,  as  tlic  fur-seal 
is  not  Ion  11(1  on  tlio  coast  of  Xew  South  Wiilcs. 

1  have,  A:c.  (Sigueil)  ,h:nsi;Y. 

lii'ply  to  f'ircitlar  rrrcirvd  J'nnn  llic  tlnrflniiiieiil  of  f'irloria. 
(iovi'.i.'Nou  i,<)Ui>  iiopr.roi  \  to  loum  KNiTsroKn, 

(iOVr.lJNMKNT    IIOISK.    MtlliiiliniV,   Ovtollfl- :??,   ISP). 

Mv  LoiM>:  I  have  tlic  lionour  to  acknowltMlffo  tlit-  ifcoipt  of  .voiir  Lonlshii»'s 
despatch  of  th(^  IjOth  .hily  ultimo,  roiiucHtiujr  iiiforuiatioii  on  certain  points  ciui- 
nected  xvith  tiu^  fur-seal  tislierv  in  this  Colony,  ami  to  tiansinit  a  copy  of  a  ii'lter, 
dated  the  2()tli  instant,  from  Sir  I''rederiek  McCoy,  lliiector  of  the  National  Museum, 
which  emUraces  all  the  availalde  intbrination  oii  the  suliject. 

I  have,  &c.  (Si;;ncd)  IIoi'KToUN. 


Slli    I'.  M  L'OY   m    Ml!.  Ml'.NKd. 

National  -MiMa.M,  Melbourne,  Ovtolier  P.0,  1801. 
Sri{:  III  rejily  to  your  letter  of  this  date,  I  Iiavo  tlie  honour  to  report  as  follows: 
1.  The  seal  lishery  of  Australia  was  never  so  extensive!  as  that  of  the  North  ra<ifie, 
and  for  more  than  thirty  years  the  trade  in  Australian  fur-seal  skiiia  has  entirely 
ceased,  althon<;li  of  some  extent  in  Sydney  a  little  lielore  that  time. 

li.  In  X'ictoiia  the  only  fur-seal  is  the  eared  seal  (h'uotiiria  einevea),  the  size,  shape, 
and  habits  of  whicli  \  (M'y  nearly  recall  those  of  the  N»»rth  I'acitic.  'i"he  declino  <u' 
destruction  of  the  lishery  is  <'(!rtaiiily  attvibiitalile  to  the  iiutiscriminatt!  slau;;liter  of 
the  seals  on  the  few  islands  oil'  the  soi'ili  coast,  esix'cially  in  Western  I'ort,  wlnre 
the  old  males  anil  fjravid  females  resected  in  the  summer  to  biiiiji;  forth  and  tend  the 
yoiinj;.  At  jiresent  a  few  islands  only  are  fre(|iiented  by  theses  seals,  now  in  the 
breeiling  season,  and  the  iinmber  of  iiidividiials  is  too  small  to  furnish  any  trade. 

3.  The  fur-seal  lishery  was  conducted  simply  by  maniiiii;^  a  boat  suitable  for  land- 
ing on  the  islands,  the  landing  usually  taking  |dace  at  iiiglit,  and  then  the  seals  were 
killed  indiscriminately  by  clubbing  thoin  on  the  noso  with  large  sticks.  The  skins 
were  chielly  exported  from  Sydney. 

4.  No  nieasnreseti'ective  for  the  iiroteotion  of  the  fur-seal  fisheries  have  been  under- 
Taken  on  any  larj^e  scale  by  any  of  the  Australian  ('olonies,  but  some  years  ago  I 
recommended  the  Victorian  (Jovernment  to  proiiibit  the  killing  of  seals  on  the  small 
islands  which  they  frei|ucnt  near  IMiillip  Island,  and  although  the  number  has  some- 
what ini'reased  in  conseiiiience,  it  is  far  too  small  to  furnish  a  trade. 

5.  The  Australian  fur-se,'ils  were  never  IisIkmI  for  in  the  open  ocean. 

tJ.  (ieiierally,  the  life-history  of  thi'  Victorian  fiir-s(>al  exa('lly  resembles   that  of 
the  North    I'acilie,  following  shoals  of  lisli  in   the  open  ocean,  but  coming  on   the 
islands  to  breed  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer. 
I  have,  itc. 

(Sigiu^d)  I"'i{ici)i;ui(  K  M(('<)^-, 

Director  of  Museum. 


158 


lieplji  to  Circular  reriired  from  the  Coierumeiit  of  'DmmaHiii. 
Mii.  si;ai,  to  nil;  chiki'  si:(  KioiAitv,  iioitAitr. 


lloltAl!.,  \i,reml)er  .V),  ISOl. 

Siu:  I  tia\e  the  honour  to  rc|)ort,  for  the  information  of  the  (Canadian  (iovcin 
meiit,  the  loll.iwing,  in  reply  to  the  i|iierieH  laid  down  in  tliei.-  (,'irciiljir  letter  of  the 
ilth  .luly,  ISill: 

(,>iier;i  1.  Sealing  in  Tasmania  and  her  dependencies  (almost  s  )lely  conlined  to  the 
island.s  in  Hass  Straits  and  the  Mac(iuarie  Islands,  situated  to  tlit  south  of  New  Zea- 
land) has  been  carried  on  by  the  seals  lieiiig  killed  on  shore  at  tlie'r  breeding  places, 
and  not  by  "pursuit  at  large  on  the  circumjacent  ocouu." 

B  S,  PT  VI 15 


22fi 


REPORT    OF    IMUTISII    COMMFSSIONRRS. 


!l|!i 


<,>Hirii  2.  TIh-  sr;il  lislicry  liJl.s  liccii  roiMliii'tcil  liy  iiiciiis  of  lioiits  of  4  or  5  toiiN  roj;- 
islrr  fitted  lip  ainiinnsl,  tlio  isliiiiils  in  Has  .  Straits,  tlic  crew  Itciiiir  cijiiipiKMl  with  iIiMih 
ant!  lilies,  tin;  seals  lieiii^  siiot  iijioii  tlii^  roeks  w  lieii  |ii'ai'l  iea  lile,  or  I'olloweil  upon 
the  sliofo  aii'l  cluliUfd.  ( tceasiiiiially,  lai'ne  vessels  eoiiie  to  Mass  Stiaits  iioin  other 
Colonies,  lint  thesanus  niodn  of  killin;:-  Ih  adojded.  In  tlii^  Maeiinarie  Islands  tho 
same  jirineiples  iiro  adojitud  with  l;ir;fer  vessels. 

(Jiierji  [i.  No  ineasnieH  wen;  taken  by  tiio  'I'asiiianian  (Jovernineiit  towardn  tlui  jiro- 
teetion  of  tho  seal  lisheries  in  thoir  territories  until  tln^  early  part  of  the  jJVeHent 
year,  when,  at  tiie  re<|neHl  of  the  New  Zealand  (;o\  (Miiineiit.  seal  tishin;j  was  |>ro- 
hiltitcd  on  tlie  M.'ie(|narie  Islands,  and  in  Oetoher  of  the  present  year  the  CoiiiiniH- 
sionersid"  Fisheries,  tear! ii<;  the  total  extinetioii  of  the  seals  in 'I'asinania,  eonseiiiMtnt 
npon  their  unrestricted  slanjihtia',  snliniitted  a  Herniation  (copy  attacked,  marked 
A )  totally  iirohiliitinf;  the  taking  of  seals  in  'rasinania  and  its'dependeiicies  for  a 
I)eriod  of  tliree  years. 

(Jiivrii  1.  1  ineiosi!  a  ne\vspa|ier  copy  (marked  H)  of  n  i)ai>er  i>repared  and  read  liy 
Mr.  Alexander  Morton,  !•".  L.  S.,  one  of  the  'rasmaniaii  Cominissioni-rs  ot'  l-'islieries,  at 
a  lat(>  meetinj;  of  the  Commission,  which  will,  I  think,  fully  answer  the  (piery,  as 
well  as  fiivc  interestinii:  partiinlars  of  the  history  of  the  seal  lisheries,  and  habits  of 
the  seals,  as  far  as  Tasmania  is  concerned. 
I  have,  Ac. 

(Siijned)  M.\itjii;\v  Si:ai,, 

Cliaiimaii  of  the  Comininaiuiu-rn  nj  i'inlurifs. 


GOVKHNMf.Xr   .NOTICK. 


(A.) 


'I'lio  (iovernor  in  Council  has  been  jdeascd,  in  accordance  with  tim  jjrovisions  of 
section  lli  (d'  "  The   Fisheries  Act,  lW!t"  (TiS  Vict.,  Xo.  II ),  to  amend  and  ajiprove  of 
the  followiiifi'  K'efiiilation,  the  sanio  havin<;  been  made  by  the  Commissioners  of  Fish- 
eries, and  jtiiidished  in  accordance  with  section  115  of  the  said  Act. 
Uy  his  Kxcolleney's  command, 

(For  Chief  Secretary,  absent), 
(Signed)  Ai.UiKi)  T.   rii.i.i.\(ii:K. 

CiiiKi-  Skckktaiiy's  Oki'K'K,  (MoIhv  .'C,  1S9I. 


l!K<ilI,ATION. 


1.  Tlie  taldiif?  of  seals,  wbcthor  known  by  the  name  of  seals  or  any  other  local 
nani(>.  in  Tasmania  and  its  dependencies,  is  liereby  prohibited  for  a  period  (d'  three 
years  from  the  L'dth  day  of  .July,  IMll ;  and  any  person  committing  any  breach  of  this 
keguiatiou  shall  be  liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  5/. 


NEWSl'AI'HH   EXTRACT. 


(B.) 

Mr.  Morton  then  said  that  Mr.  .\.  W.  Scott,  M.  .\.,  of  New  South  Wales,  was  for  majiy 
years  prior  to  his  death  a  trustee  of  the  Australian  .Museiiiii.  and.  acting  under  instruc- 
tions from  the  New  South  Wales  Government,  published  a  most  comi)reliensive  work 
on  the  classification  and  habits  of  the  seals  found  freciuenting  the  Australasian  shores, 
including  tho  Maciiuarie  Islind.  Three  species  of  seals  are  found  in  these  waters: 
th«  g'i'ey  Anstritlian  fur-seal  (Arctoccphahis  cincreiis),  the  sea-leopacl  {SleiiorrhjicnliiiH 
Ivploiiiix),  and  tho  sca-elei)hant  {Moriatiin  clriiliKntiiia).  The  latter  is  only  found  on 
Mac(|uarie  Island,  although  it  is  snjiposed  at  one  time  to  have  been  met  with  in  tho 
islands  in  Hass  Straits.  Mr.  Scott,  in  his  work,  divides  the  genus  .tirtovcphahis  into 
two  main  divisicms — the  nortlHM'ii  fur-seal  of  commerce,  and  the  southern  fur-seal  of 
commerce — [  Arclorrphdliis  iir!<iviin  and  .Irctocepluilii'^  rnlhlaiidicii't).  If,  as  has  been 
stated  by  Mr.  Scott,  that  the  fur-seal  found  on  our  coast  is  similar,  if  not  identical, 
w-ith  the  fur-seal  of  .\lasl. a,  the  projioscd   K'e;;nlati()ns  recommended  by  this  hoard 

are  absolutely  necessary  for  their  jireservat  ion. 
1.")!)  ,\t  the  Fisheries   l'.\liibit  ion,  held  at    l.oiidon  in  the  year  ISS:!.  considerable 

interest  was  taken  in  the  collection  of  seals  sent  by  the  trustees  of  the  Austra- 
lian Museum.     Tho  skull  of  one  of  tht!  seals  sent  to  Foiidon  was  compared  with  the 


HKPOKT    OF    liRITlSII    COMMISSloNKKS. 


227 


)  toiiH  roij- 

ivitll  rlllliH 

iWl'll    lipoll 

iroin  (itliiT 
>laiulH  tlio 

1h  tlio  pro- 
lio  pn'sont 
i  wiiH  i>ro- 
i\  Coiiiiiiis- 

'OllSlMllUMlt 

lmI,  marked 
ncics  lor  a 

11(1  Tomi  by 
islierifs,  at 
:)  i|iu!r,v,  as 
d  habits  of 


I''ishiriv8. 


lovisions  of 

approvo  of 

eis  of  l'"iBli- 


ut), 
ii.i.iNtir.u. 


iitlior  I'li'al 
o(l  of  tliroo 
leach  of  this 


las  for  many 

Tier  iiistnic- 

tiiHivo  work 

5iaii  shores, 

I'se  waters: 

liocWii/cii/iK-i 

Vv  found  on 

kvith  in  tl\o 

[•^(/ki/hn  into 

fur  seal  of 

Is  has  hecn 

identical, 

his  Koard 

InsitlevaMo 
lie  An  St  ra- 
id with  the 


o)it>  at  till'  I'aris  Museum,  anil  found  to  lie  iileutical.  It  was  the  fust  tiiiie  that  tlio 
southern  fur- sea  I  (  .Inlixriiluthin  liiimiis)  had  lieeu  seen  in  I'.hjil.inil.  IJepreseiit.it  ions 
were  maiie  to  the  New  Scuitli  Wales  (ioveriiuient  some  few  years  liaek  lliiit  this  .-cil 
was  rapiillv  liecomiuj;  extiiu't.  The  (ioveriiii.eut  issueil  an  older  protect  in;;  t  hem  on 
the  islamis  and  the  luaintaiid  of  New  South  Wales,  the  risult  lieiiiu;  that  tlie.\  are 
now  on  the  inerea.'-e,  and  a  niimher  may  he  seen  inhaltit  in;;  the  Seal  lIocUs  a  little  to 
the  north  of  I'ort  Steiiheiis. 

In  New  South  Wales  the  sealing  trade  was  in  full  swin^  from  ISIO  to  ISL'd,  the 
firms  eii^jaucd  beiii^  Sydney  linns,  "i/.,  Messrs.  ('aide,  hold,  I  iideruood  ;  K'ilev, 
.loiies,  and  Itirnie;  llooU  and  ('aiiiphi'li.  These  linns  had  crafts  maimed  liy  crews 
<d'  from  twenty  to  I weiity-eiglit  men  to  each  vessel,  and  were  usually  litted  out  for 
a  twelve  nionths'  cruize. 

Owin^  to  the  want  of  proper  restrictions,  the  indiseriminate  slaughter  was  terri- 
ble. It  is  recorded  that  in  the  years  I8ll-1">,  lOlt.OOO  skins  from  one  island,  the 
Antipodes  Island,  or,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  l'ennati|M>d,  were  taken.  These 
skins  heiiiLr  oht.'iined  in  such  a  hasty  manner  were  hut  im|icrfectly  eiired,  and  a 
writer  stales  that  the  ship  "  I'e;;asiis''  toidc  home  l()(l,()()(i  of  these  in  hulk,  and  on 
her  airival  in  London  the  skins,  liavini;  heated  diiriiii;  this  voyage,  had  to  he  diii; 
out  of  the  hold,  and  were  sidd  for  manure. 

As  early  as  Ijsoi-^  I't'-rou  says  lie  t'onnd  liritish  seamen  in  I?ass  Straits  killing  all 
that  came  in  their  way.  In  tiie  years  IS(Kf  and  ISdl  upwards  of  ;!i!,()ii()  skins  were 
sent  from  tiie  islands  in  MassSi  raits,  the  slau;;liter  lieiii;;'  made  wit  hoiit  :  e-aril  to  se\. 

At  the  jM'esent  time  in  Maci|uarie  Island  arc  nniy  to  lie  foiiii»l  the  sea-elephant 
{MDriiiiija  ilcplidiiliiKt),  yet  when  Maci[uarie  Island  was  discovered  liy  a  sealer  in 
]X\\,  the  scaling  master  who  discovered  it  jirocurcd  a  cargo  of  80,(MHI  skins,  and 
another  sealing  party  1()(),(M)0  skins,  in  one  year. 

With  such  a  reckless  killing,  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  seals  have  become,  scari'e 
round  our  shores,  and  unless  stejis  are  immediately  taken,  it  will  only  ho  a  iiuestion 
of  time  when  their  extermination  will  be  comjileted. 

Along  tJlie  shores  of  New  Zealand,  as  well  as  the  soiitlKun  shores  of  Australia, 
largo  niimhers  of  seals  were  found.  In  Nt:w  Zealand  a  vessel  from  15ostoii,  called 
the  "  (Jenoral  (iates,'"  landed  a  jjarfy  of  six  men  near  the  sontli-wiist  eajie  of  the 
Middle  Island  un  the  Ulth  August,  18'JI.  In  six  weeks  the  jiarty  got  li.^lilJ  skins. 
For  about  twenty  ye;irs  enormous  numhera  were  captured  without  any  respect  to 
age  or  sex,  and  in  the  year  183!t  only  a  straggling  seal  was  occasionally  seen  along 
the  shores  of  New  Zealand. 

The  American  fur-seal  had  a  iiai'iow  eHea])0  of  sharing  the  fate  of  its  southern 
kindred.     In  a  paper  dealing  with  this  suhjeet.  a  wriltT  nives  the  t'ollowinu;  account  : 

"  I'.arl.v  in  this  century  tlu^  seals  were  almost  exterminated  in  many  of  the  islands 
in  the  .North  Faciliu,  iind  were  theic  as  ruthlessly  slaughtered  as  they  were  in  tlio 
l?ass  Straits  and  the  New  Zealand  coast.  The  extermination  was,  as  it  were,  eoin- 
nieiice<l,  had  not  Kussia  lirst  and  the  I'liited  .States  afterwards  leased  the  excliisivn 
right  of  killing  seals  on  tli>'  I'riliylotf  Islands — a  t'amous  sealing  placi — to  a  siiiyle 
Comii.'iny,  by  which  means  i  he  seals  were  saved,  as  the  (.'onijiany  had  an  interest  in 
kec)iiiig  U])  the  sii])])ly  of  furs."' 

This  single  exiicrimeiit.  the  writer  states,  has  proved  conclusively  that  fur-seals 
can  he  tanned  as  easily  as  .dicp,  and  that  sealing  should  not  he  thrown  ojhmi  with- 
out restrictions.  .Seals 'lie  i'  projierty  the  State  slioiild  Jealously  guard.  On  tlietwo 
I'riliylolf  Islands  it  is  e(iuii)Uted  that  .")()(!, (MM)  seals  resort  annually.  These  islands, 
from  the  value  of  the  fnr-seal,  were  discovered  in  the  year  ITMti,  when  the  slaiighicT 
commenced,  and  was  ])rose(Uited  without  f  ?  ]  until  the  year  IH'.W,  when  the  niiiii- 
lier  had  been  so  reduced  that  the  liiisiiicss  threatened  to  he  entirely  destroyed  within 
a  lev.'  years.     The  destruction   v  as  then  stopjied  until   hSl'i,  when  it  was  gradually 

resumed,  though,  instead  of  the  indiscriminate  sl.iiigliter  which  had  before  I n  |iir- 

mitteil,  only  the  young  nniles  i2  ye;irs  old)  were  allowed  to  be  killed.  The  rookeries 
coiitinned  to  increase,  in  size  until  l^fiT. 

The  ('(im])any  who  biased  the  right  «f  sealing  in  these  islands  weie  restricted  about 
the  year  iMit)  to  TiO.OCO  seal-skins  ai.niiallv.  From  181'1  to  1K!!I,  7."iS,."i(l2  fur-seals  were 
killed,  and  87L',8!M  troiii  18l.">  to  iMii.'.  From  another  .iiithority.  Mr.  Ilittell,  I  liiid 
that  when  the  Fnited  States  (iiiveinnieiit  took  possission  of  iii;>  islands  in  18117  sev- 
eral American  lirnis  took  possession,  and  the  wholesale  slaiigliter  of  seals  lie^an 
afresh.  In  1S(;8  not  less  tliim  L'OtMK'l'  seals  were  killed,  and  for  18(i!»  it  is  said  I'le 
number  was  not  far  btdow  liOC.tMKl.  Tlit^  Fnited  Siaten  (iovernm  -nt,  fearii;g  their 
total  extinction,  leased  the  sole  right  of  se;il-tishiiig  on  these  islaiiiN  tonne  tin- 
restrict  iiig  the  allowed  ntimlier  to  1(1(1,(100.  From  w  hat  he  had  been  able  to  lay  he''  .e 
the  Fisheries  I'manl.  no  time  should  he  lost  in  at  once  takiii;;  s{>ps  to  ;ir(itec'.,  the 
seal  tisheries  in  I'ass  Strait.-'.  Wherever  jirnpei-  restriction  has  i  "•••  iiiirodiiccd  n 
most  valuable  iniliislry  has  heen  started  in  coiiiii-ct  ion  with  tiie  seal  iuduslry.  and. 
instead  of  the  three  years,  as  has  been  jiroposed  by  this  Hoard,  he  strnii^ly  lecoin- 
uiendod  live  years  for  the  close  season,  and  if  at  that  time  the  seals  have  increased 


22.S 


UEroKT    OF    HKiriSll    COMMli^SlONKIIS. 


io<.>,   1,1")^;    10(1,   i,uui;    ini;),   ^.loi,    inn>,  .>,'*i/;    ir>ii,   i,.)i'. 
IHSd,  2,(!l«;  IHSl,  l,L'5!t;    IWL'.  IwVi;  IXKi,  nil ;   ISM,  :f74. 

rrofi'sscir  J.  II.  Miililh'ton  stiitcs  tliiit  tin;  iiiiniiai  viiliic  of  tlio  fiir-st>iil  lislu'rii's  of 
t)iu  world  in  iilioiit  isr>, ()<)()/.     Tim  malt'  seal  ilocs  not  attain  liis  full  si/e  till  lie  is 


tliu    \^1lllll    in    aiiwilt     l«^.%inM;r.         11)0    Ilialo    Sl'al    lIul'x'H    mil 

aliontt)  ycarN  old,  and  tiio  female  when  hIio  is  alioiit  t 

■ '--ti^d  in  the  ■' Coiiteniiioiary  Iveview,"  a  ._  ._   , ^     .  

In  a  Npecics  wlieiu  tlio  male  would  lie  7  foef  or  H  teet  in 
~ "  ■  Id  not  lie  more  tliai)  I  feet 


in  a  pa|ier  pi 

and  build  lietwcen  tlieiii. 


Tlieie  in,  sa.VH  Mr.  J.  Clarke, 
reiiijirkalile  disparity  of  size 


.^1 


oy  deeper  or  iiiintcr  .^iiaiie.s,  and  variaiiie 
inlluenced  liy  health,  sex.  and  coiidititin. 

He  tli(Hij;ht  the  (ios'einment  .shoiild  Kte[i  in  now,  as  the  se 
rovo  a  valiialilo  source  of  revenue  to  the  Colony  in  the  future 


pr 


ealiii:; 
o. 


industry  might 


I'iscoiiiil  h'dtvasr  lit  tliv  Mai(iiiin  of  Sdlinlnirji. — { li'ticirdl  Uvvvmhvr  L't.) 


I.KUAiioN  or  Jai'.xn,  London,  Ihnmhrr  ll,IS9t. 
M.  I.K  M.Mii^i  is:  1  have  Ihe  honour  to  inform  your  l',x('elleni'y  that,  at  the  reijiiest 
of  .'^ir  (ietii'^fe  I'aden-l'owell.  one  ol'  Her  Majesty's  Coniinissionerson  the  seal  lisheries, 
1  olitaiiu'd  from  my  (iovernment  a  rajiidly  ftrepaied  Momorandum  as  to  sueh  lislieries 
ill  .lapaii.  I  have  Ihe  pleasure  to  hand  your  l^xcelieiiey  herewith  a  translation  of 
this  .Memorandum,  w  hich  may  lie  nf  interest  to  tli(^  aliove-named  Commissioner. 

I  may  jiossilily  receive  a  liirtlH^r  more  di^tailed  l\e))ort  on  the  siiiiie  sulijeet,  iii  which 
case  1  will  forward  a  translation  of  it  to  your  Exccllciiey. 
I  have,  iVc. 

(SigiKid)  Kawam':. 


Mi;.-\i()i!AM)UM  ON   lilt';  si;ai.  1  isiii;i;ii;s  in  .iai'an. 


ri'niiisliitiiiii. 


ir 


[X.  H.  Ill  tliis  Mi'iiioriii.dMiii  "seal  "  ilot's  mil  .ilwuys  iiieaii  ■  wials  jinipcr,"  lint  iiirliidrs  soiiictiiiii'S  all 
!\iini.-i  (if  Kca  aiiiMal-s.  Wiinl  "((miit.v"  in  not  always  a|iplitil  to  niilMlivi.siim  of  rri'lectiiro 
("ken"),  liS't  liciiM'tiiiics  it  is  iiii'ant  (or  tliiMUvision  ("kiini'  )  (if  llitiold  sysleii 


inodiues. 

In  the  eoiirae  of  time  the  emij^rants  incre.'ised  by  deifrees,  settling;  down  in  such 
places  ;is  'I'oshiriiri,  K'ianshi,  in  that  islauil,  and  liecame  hunters  of  seals  and  other 
sea  auinials  in  thi^  nei^^hlMiurhood. 


II  certain 
>  kill.Ml. 
linsHliow: 
then  until 
S72,2,or-'; 

«7i>, -',181; 

islioiieM  (if 
I  till  lie  is 

.I.Cliirko, 
•ity  i>t"  size 
,r  H  IV'»t  in 
tlian  1  t't',«)t 
lie.  whitish 
yy  to  Ithirk- 
iino  (larkor 
ly,  at  times 
Vvt'u  iniiro 

(livcisilicd 

fholo  l>einK 
istiy  iiiit^ht 


i.T.) 

■I-  //,  tS9t. 
the  rtM|uesfc 
oal  tislu-rit's, 
lU'li  lisln'iies 
ranslation  of 
Hsioncr. 
jct,  in  which 

KA\VA^;l':. 


REPOKT    OF    KRITISII    COMMISSIOXEKS. 


229 


i  >oin<'tiiiii'i»  all 
,1   I'l-oltcture 


Itho  north  to 
rite  haunts. 
Ltcly  traccii, 
l),  emijiialt'tl 
jijjlt'H,  bears, 
I'ree  from  iee 
liries  of  lile; 
If  these  coiu- 

l)\v:i  in  sn'eh 
lis  and  other 

the  natives 
husiuess  in 

llsof  Hashiift 
lied  inforina- 
llriip,  where 
le  natives  in 
loing  powor- 


In  the  siiininer  of  1770,  \n  hile  tin;  natives  of  Itrnji,  with  their  (/liief,  were  Imntin^j 
ill  the  Island  of  rril|).  the  h'lissialis  e.-inie  there  and  ordered  them  to  ship  all  their 
cateli  to  Knssia,  ami,  on  thi-ir  Kd'nsal.  their  two  Chiefs  were  killed  hy  the  Knssiaiis. 

In  the  same  year,  while  the  Chief  of  h'ashiia,  toifeiher  with  a  host  of  natives,  were 
liiintin;;  in  1'rn)i,  the  liiissiaiis  a;>;ain  made  their  a))peaiiim'e,  and  seized  all  their 
cateh  at  the  point  of  their  f;iiiis.  At  last  the  aiif;er  of  the  natives  was  aroused 
to  such  a  jiiteli  by  the  Hnssiaii  outrages  that  they  resolved  to  aven<j;e  themselves, 
nnd  111  1771  they  {i'lthered  in  j^ri'at  nnnihers,  each  earryiiifi;  i-ome  weapon,  iiii<l 
attacked  the  Kiissians  in  I'rup,  killin<;  ei^ht  ot  theiii;  and  thence  from  tlie  weHtcrii 
coast  they  jiussj^l  over  the  moiiiitains  to  Waniiio,  where  they  attacked  some  K'ns- 
siaiis  who  were  liviiifj  in  caves,  (inly  seven  of  the  li'ussians  esiaped  slaiifihter. 
Kroiii  that  place  the  natives  sailed  to  Makanisi,  where  they  also  slaughtered  si;veii- 
teeii  Kiissians. 

At  that  time  the  chief  instrnments  used  by  th(>  natives  for  killinj;  seals  were  the 
how  and  liar|iooii,  while  the  Hnssiuns  used  }j;nnB. 

After  this  defeat  the  HiiBsians  did  not  come  for  a  long  time. 

Diiriii';  the  years  of  the  Aiiyei  period  (177l!->*0)  the  natives  of  l'rii|)  were  con- 
stantly crni/inji  and  hunting  round  I'riip  and  its  neijjhbonrin}!;  islands,  mid  tins  jire- 
veiited  the  Kiissians  from  catching  seals  so  freely,  although  now  and  then  they  made 
their  appearance  But  towar('s  the  cud  of  the  Anyei  period  they  rame  in  a  great 
number,  and  made  a  good  catch. 

In  the  years  of  Teniiiei  (17Sl-!^8),  as  the  natives  eea»ed  to  hiiiit  for  seals,  all  the 
islands  of  the  Kurilos  excejit  Itriip  were  niono|Mili/ed  by  the  Kiissians. 
161  In  17!t5  (lovernnieiit  caused  soiiie  thirty  men  anil  women  to  eini;;rate  to  Itrii|>, 

and  there  were  good  catches  made.     Nets  wi're  then  first  used. 

In  18(H)  Takataya  Kah(^,  a  native  of  Awa.ji,  emigrated  to  Itriip,  and  thert!  eni|iloy- 
ing  the  natives  started  a  settleiiieiit  for  seal-hunting  and  other  lislieiies. 

Ill  the  years  of  Kiowa  (1801-3),  Siiwara  Koyeiiion  and  i)at»i  K'iiiyemim,  of  I'nkn- 
yama,  Matsuiiiay<>  having  taken  over  the  tishing  establishment  and  plants  iVum 
Takataya  Kalie,  and  building  new  fishing  depots  in  several  places,  carried  on  the 
flshiug  of  sea  animals. 

At  that  time  tli(<  seal-skins  were  bartered  with  the  natives  as  follows,  viz. : 

The  best  ^-:;  20  sacks  of  rice  (each  sack  containing  8  sho')  ]ier  skin;  the  mid- 
dling =^  about  10  saidis,  and  the  coninion  skins  were  severally  valued  according  to 
their  (|iialitieB;  and  the  natives  were  ))aid  according  to  the  skins  they  ))ro(liiced  at 
the  time  of  counting  their  catch.  The  skins  thus  bought  were  called  "  karimono," 
and  were  annually  sent  to  the  I'rince  of  Matsiiniay<'',  whose  (ioveriimeiit  paid  for 
them  at  the  fixed  rate  of  0.5()  sen  for  I  sho  of  rice,  w  hieh  was  the  standard  of  liarter; 
and  there  were  strict  jienal  regulations  against  simigglora. 

In  the  y^'ars  of  Keio  (lS().")-()7)  the  Ktissian  (ioveriiment  sent  Alaskan  natives  to 
I'rup,  aiui  the  Knssian  tishing  settlement  became  more  and  more  prosperous. 

."^eal-sk ins  were  a  spticial  iirodnct  of  .Japan,  and  from  ohlen  timcB  they  were  trans- 
]iorted  to  Nagasaki,  where  they  were  sold  to  the  Chinese. 

In  modern  times  seals  and  other  sea  animals,  once  famous  jirodncis  of  .Fajian,  being 
mostly  caught  by  the  Knssian  hands,  are  now  looked  on  as  Knssian  j)rodu('ls,  aiul 
are  iiii]iorted  into  I'ekiug  direct  from  liiissia. 

In  18t)i>,  at  the  time  when  "  Kailakiishi"  (Coloni/ation  Department)  was  nowl.v 
establiMhed,  its  branch  otiice  was  set  iii)  in  the  Island  of  Itriiji.  and  some  otlicials 
Were  sent  in  order  to  cheek  foreign  poachers,  and  siiiierintend  the  tishing  indiistry. 
As  to  the  mode  of  buying  skins,  the  old  regulations  were  adojded,  but  on  account  of 
the  old  rate  of  exchange  at  1  sho  of  ricoat0.5(i  sen  beipg  out  of  d.ite,  the  fisheries 
incurred  much  loss.     In  Ajiril  187)1  the  otlicial  rate  was  raised  to  l.tSS  sen  jier  1  sho. 

In  .Mine  of  the  same  year  for  the  first  time  a  special  ollict!  w,is  estal dished  in  Ilni]), 
whose  dut.v  it  was  to  siip])r(>ss  seal-iioaching,  and  Commissioners  were  sent  tliere. 
In  August  instructions  were  given  to  these  Commissioners  to  keep  strict  vigilance 
as  to  poaching-vessels  of  foreign  countries  and  the  nnla\vi';il  sale  of  seals  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  island. 

As  Bc'ils  mostly  congregated  in  the  seas  neighbouring  to  Itriip,  the  Ingress  of  for- 
eign vessels  to  those  waters,  not  only  Knssian.  but  also  Mritish,  Ameiican,  Dutch, 
and  other  coiiiitri<^s,  increased  year  after  year,  iiiid  oltciitimes  these  vessels  u.sed  to 
aiudior  in  the  neighbouring  haiboiirs. 

In  siudi  cases  the  (Jonimissioners  infornied  them  of  thi;  national  prohibition,  and 
rei|iiested  them  to  leave,  but  nnd>  r  such  jiretexts  as  shiji's  repairs,  or  want  of  water 
and  fuel,  they  did  not  obey  the  remonstr.mces,  and  when  there  was  a  shipwreck, 
which  occurred  very  often,  it  gave  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  annoyance  to  the  Coiii- 
inisBimiers,  who  had  to  locdv  after  the  wrecked  crews,  and  to  have  them  escorted  t") 
the  port  of  Hakodate. 

*  1  sho  i.s  i'i|iial  t.i  O.l'JSii  l)i'ck. 


280 


TIEI'OKT   OF    HHniSlI    COMMISSlONKUS. 


If    '■! 


For  iiistimrr,  wlicii  tlic  "Isulic"  [  if),  :iii  Aincricjin  xcsscl.  Mtr.iiwlcil  on  si  rrct'  iinir 

It  nip,  tlic  mil  i\  «'S  rcllllcrcil  us  iiill<  h  iissislMlicc  iis  llicx  jmHsilily  cnlllfl  to  till"  11111(11  III- 
Ililtf  NCssi'l,  liilt  ^lll  fll'oltH  li;i\iiii;-  provcil  I'l  ii  i  t  less,  this  vessel  was  wrccliiil  ill  last, 
anil  ihiiii;i;;r.s  were  claiiiii'il  on  the  ^iiiniiiii  tlial  it  was  lost  mi  aieount  of  siiDirirnt 
iissiHtaiirit  iMil  lia\iiiu  lecii  nMiilri'i'il.  Siii'li  unlaw  till  anil  iiiirrasonalilt'  action  on 
tlu)  part  of  I'orci;,'!!  vchscIs  w  as  of  l'n'i|i:ciit  iirciirii'inc. 

All  tlicsi-  lorci;,M!  poai'liinn-\ I'sscis  liciiij;  ot'  u  niiii'li  iiiorf  iiii]irovr(l  ty|i<'  tlian  tlir 
onlinar.v  .lapaiu-Hr  lisliin;;-lpoals,  it  was  vrr.\  (lifliriiit  to  watch  tlicir  nioviiiii-nts  in 
till'  liiyli  soas.  ami,  as  alioiit  si'Vcn-tfiillis  of  the  islaml  was  iiniiilialtiti  il,  lisliin;;'  cstali- 
lisliiiiriits  in  till"  wliolc  islaml  Ihmiii;  vrry  lew,  it  was  no  woniitT  tliat  watrh  coiilil 
not  1)1'  fllVctively  kept  liy  a  I'l'w  ('oniniissiiuit'rs  with  only  two  or  tlirrr  lisliin;;-l)oatH 
to  iTiii/.i'  with. 

I'lnliT  tlicsf  I'in'iinistanct's,  in  tonsiiltation  with  tlii'  Navy  Dcpartiiicnt,  two  ships 
of  war  were  coniiiiissioni'il,  anil  one  ot  tlu'sc  two  was  stat  ioiu'il  at  the  port  of  Neiiiiiro, 
one  I'fplai'ini;  tho  other  in  alteinalo  years,  anil  tlies  were  onlereil  to  enii/e  roiinil 
the  Knrile  fjioiip  in  oriler  to  wati'ii  the  |)oai-liers. 

liesiiles,  the  "  Kiorioniaiii," of  Kaitakiishi,  was  sent  to  Itriiji  every  year  fioiii  .May 
to  Oetolier  (season  for  Hcal-liiiiitiiij:)  to  criiize  anil  wateh  in  tlm  vieiiiity  of  the 
islaml. 

In  Mari'h  1H7I  Mr.  Ali'ott  Hrookes,  His  Imperial  Majesty's  Consul  in  San  l''raneispo, 
ri'|iorteil  to  the  I'oioijfn  Oflii'*'  that  six  lioals  were  hein  ;  piejiaieil  in  Caiiaila  to  start 
for  seal-hnnt  iiii;  in  t  liiMslamls  of  lloUkaiilo,  ami  soon  afterwarils  he  also  report eil  that 
Koiiie  Healiiiff-vessels  hail  left  the  jiovt  of  ,'>!an  I'lalieiseo 

In  May  of  the  samo  year,  npoii  eonsnltat  ion  with  tin  i  oicinii  OtVieo,  It'e^rnh-ifjonH, 
consist iiiii  of  three  I'laiisos,  controUiiii;  the  fisheries  in  the  wali'rs  near  the  islamls  of 
llokkaiilo,  were  issiieil,  \i/..: 

"  I.  Aloiij;  the  coasr-lines  the  limit  of  the  teriitoiiai  ii<;hl  ol'-l.-ijian  is  lixeil  ,'it  If  li 
(1  I'i  =l.'.l  ItKi  miles )  from  the  shore :  in  case  of  hays,  the  line  of  limit  shall  he  meas- 
nreil  from  a  straiuht  lim-  ilrawn  lielween  tlii^  two  cajies  at  the  e\tieine  enils  of  the 
liay;  lint  this  ajiplies  only  to  easels  where  the  space  hetweeii  the  capes  does  not 
exeeeil  ,'i  ri. 

"If  any  forcijfiiers  be  foiinil  iishin;^  williin  the  ahove  ii.r'iitioneil  limit  they  shall 
lie  arrcsteil  in  as  ])eacefiil  a  manner  as  )iiissilile,  ;iml  sent  lo  Ifakodate,  aecomjianieil 
by  ffiiarils,  iiml  ileiivereil  to  the  Coiisiil  of  the  eoiiiitiy  ol'  their  nationality  to  bo 
dealt  with  in  a  ]>roper  manner. 

"2.  If  for»)i;;iicrs  do  not  snlimil  themselves  to  the  aiilh.u  ities,  or  any  violent  resist- 
ance be  otfered  hy  them  at  the  time  of  such  arrest,  nc  -ssarv  ,\.ice  may  be  employed 
to  carry  out  the  fore^join^  Kei^nlations. 

"11.   Inasmiicli  as  there  may  be  some  l'iirei;;n  vessels  arrivintj  in  harbour  in 

1()"J       eonsec|ueiice  of  stress  of  weather  or  want  of  water  or  fiic",  a  careliil  scrutiny 

shall  lie  made  as  to  tho  true  circiimslanccs,  and,  upon  ascei  r.iininfi;  theii  jrood 

faith,  they  shall  be  treated  in  accordance  with  the  '  li'iuulations  for  Assistance  to 

I'oreiun  \'esselsin  Distress.'     And  if  His  Imperial  Majesty  s  snbjectsbe  found  jjoach- 

iii;;-,  their  lishiii^  apparatus  ami  catches  shall  1 onfiscated  accordinii  to  the  exist- 

iuj;  Ki'ifulations.  and  they  shall  he  delivered  to  tin'  branch  oflice  at  Nemiiro,  tliere  to 
be  ]iro])eily  dealt  with,"  vVc. 

The  "  Kioriomarii"  and  "(ienbiimarii."  belon;j;inji'  to  Kaitakiishi,  haviny;  on  board 
inter|)retcrs  ami  Seal  fishery  Siijieiintcinlinj;  ('ommissioncrs.  were  ordered  to  crni/.e 
in  the  vicinitv  of  Itrii])  to  watch  any  foreij^u  jioachiiiy;  vessels. 

In  the  same  month  there  was  -.v  iimirpdrler  with  M.  IJenlin  [i\,  master  ot'  a  Danish 
lioachinu-vessel  the  "Mattce"  |  i\. 

In  .Iniie,  when  the.  "  Kiiiriomarn"  was  cruiziiiii  bade,  she  met  with  six  American 
vessels,  and  tliei'e  were  various  interviews  rcspcctin;;  them. 

In.iiily  His  Inijierial  Majesty's  shi]>s  ■' llosliio"  and  "Osaka"  were  sent  o\er,  and 
the  ■'  Kioiioniarii  "  a,i;ain  sailed  to  the  islands. 

In  Au^jiist  an  American  sli'  "Siiowdro])'' A\as  found  at  rankani  Hay,  and  some 
in\  est  ii;;itioii  was  made.  I'Mve  forciffii  vessels  at  Ounebrtsu  Hay  were  also  subjected 
to  in\  esliiiiit ion.  Hut  these  are  only  a  few  vessels  oui  of  many  which  were  not 
broiijiht  under  notice. 

To  ilinstrute  the  cunning  ol'  forei.i;ii  ])oachers,  they,  all  of  them,  would  enter  iiud 
anchor  in  harbours,  pretending'  that  they  had  come  under  strcs.sof  weather  or  for 
■want  of  water  or  fuel,  fioinj;  out  of  one  jiort  in  the  morning  and  entering;  another  in 
the  evening;,  their  movements  heinjj  .so  aleit  th.it  it  was  a  matter  of  no  wonder  th.'it 
a  siiiLjli)  watch  ship  was  iimible  to  keeii  them  under  observalion.  lint,  on  the  whole, 
th»v  Islaml  of  Itrnj)  was  found  unfavourable  for  the  ]iui'pose  of  ])romotiii^'  onr  lisheries 
and  of  watcdiiii};;  for  foreign  iioaehcrs.  The  climate  is  very  im-lement;  diirinj;  siiiii- 
nier  mouths  there  is  dense  foj;.  ,'iiid  when  the  niitiimn  ap|ii'oaclies  the  fofi  beuins  to 
lift,  but  mily  to  bo  succeeded  by  a  violent  northwesterly  j^ale,  eansiiifj  a  heavy  sea. 
And  there  is  no  good  harbour.     Thus  the  navi;;ation  in  these  waters  is  very  ditlicnlt. 


rcct"  iirar 

:'    Ulllc'ltU- 

il  ;it  liiNt, 
siillicifiit 
iii'tioii  oil 

I-  tlliU)  till- 

ciiifiits  ill 
inn  <'stiil>- 
itiii  ciiulil 
liiii;;-l>oats 

two  slii|i« 
)f  Nciiiiiro, 
li/i'   roiiiiil 

•  ridiii  Miiy 
litv  ot  the 

FiMiicisfo. 
(l;i  Id  start 
|i(iitfil  tliat 

(■;;lllatiollS, 

I'  islands  of 

lixid  at  '.{  li 
11  111'  nicas- 
fuds  of  tlu! 
L's  (loos  not 

f  llifv  sliall 
(■('()iiili:>iii«'d 
liilitv  to  \w 

)li'iil  resist - 
ii'  iMiililoycd 

liai'lioiir  in 
U  srrutiny 

tlii'ii  nood 
sistaiii'o  to 

iiul  jioai'h- 
tlu'  fxist- 
ro,  Ihcie  to 

ij  on  l)oav(l 
d  lo  I'Viiizc 

>l'  a  Danish 

X  Aiiit'ricau 

it  oviM',  and 


and  Honio 

siiUji'ttt'd 

1  wL'vv  not 


I  I'liti'i"  auil 

tlicr  or  for 

another  in 

Diidt'r  that 

tlio  wholt), 

iiir  lishcrifs 

iirinj;  siiin- 

ir  lic^ins  to 

heavy  wea. 

ry  ditticnlt. 


RKI'ORT    or    HKITISH    ("O.MMrsSlONKKS. 


2:u 


('iMisei|iiently,  in  tiie  Hanie  month,  the  Htationin;;  of  the  '' K  ioriiMMarn  "  at  that 
island  \>as  discontiniied.  and  siie  was  ordered  to  enii/e  liet\M'4'ii  Neiniiin  and  llakn- 
dali'  twice  iner.x  month;  the  seal-hniitiny  uH'airs  were  let(  to  the  eiinlrol  of  the 
luaiieh  (dliee  at  Niiinili);  and  three  lir.inehes  ot'  the  snperinteiidinji  ulliee  wi'IH!  estab- 
lished in  the  islands  at  Onnehetsn,  N'anneho,  Tonhimori,  whcio  CommissiiineiH  were 
sent  res) lively  with  three  hoals,  four  buiUmeii  for  eaeh  boat. 

Ah  to  the  mode  of  huiitin^,  the  natives  used  to  shoot  seals  with  bows  iiiid  arrowH 
wliile  lestiiijj;  upon  irefsorroekH.  In  winter,  when  the  sea  is  frozen  ovi^r,  they  siin/ily 
chased  them  over  the  ice  and  killed  theiii  with  cInhH,  or  they  used  >o  •;<)  in  a  boat 
made  of  Hkiiis  of  sea-horse  and  whale-bones,  weariiifi  ii  kind  of  wateiproof  made  of 
the  bladders  o!'  sea  ele])hants  or  nea-horse,  and  with  a  head  eoverin;;  made  of  fox  or 
wolf-skins,  thus  deeeiviiifjseals  when  apiiroaehin^- Iheni.  In  thiseh-vcr  manner  they 
lis 'd  to  eateh  a  ^reai  many.  The  boat  itstdf  was  xcry  nim]de,  but  so  easy  of  motion 
that  its  i>ro;;iess  was  very  fast,  even  iu  a  heavy  sea-way,  and  it  was  (jnite  safe  from 
caiisizinfi. 

The  weajioiis  wliicli  the  iintives  liad  in  these  boats  were  a  Ion;;  harpoon,  a  club,  and 
a  j^alf.  When  they  a)>proa<'hed  a  victim  they  threw  the  liaipoDii,  and  ha\  iii^  made 
a  ^ood  hit,  the  top,  or  barbed  end,  whi<di  is  tied  to  a  lonj;  striii;;,  separated  itselt" 
from  the  ))ide  and  ii-miiined  in  the  llesh ;  thus,  even  if  the  aniinal  was  not  killed  a*^ 
one  iviip,  its  will  iialionts  could  always  be  known,  as  the  pole  to  whieli  the  other  end 
of  the  strinu  is  tied  acted  as  a  tloat,  and  the  seal  was  drai^j^ed  onl  and  cliildied  to 
death,  and  then  galled  into  the  boat. 

This  mode  was  considered  to  be  the  best  way  of  catchinj^  seals,  but  in  inoderii 
times  it  is  superseded  by  the  use  of  f^uiis. 

Jbit  seals  are  very  averse  to  the  sound  of  liriii}^,  and  the  use  of  the  gun  is  sun;  to 
drive  them  away  from  the  vicinity  to  some  far  distant  jilaces,  and  the  thxdvsaie 
thinned  year  by  year.  The  natives,  know  in  if  tiiis  by  lonf;experi(^nee,  abstained  I'rnni 
iisiiif^ffuns,  but  at  the])reseiit  time,  as  all  foreigners  jioach  with  f^iins,  onr  mode  of 
hunting  was  also  obliged  to  be  similarly  (diaiiged. 

In  A])v'\\  ImT.'i,  at  lien  tarubetsii,  near  Shibetoro,  Itrii)),  a  linssian  boat  was  found 
anchored,  and  its  master,  with  threi;  JJiissians  and  three  ,lapaiicse,  were  seen  con- 
structing a  hut  on  the  coast.  They  were  conseiiueiitly  warned  otf  by  the  (Jomiiiis- 
sioners. 

Again,  an  information  was  given  to  the  ('oinmissioncrs  that  at  Moroco,  in  tlm  same 
county,  the  Americans  Kamion  .loan  (f)  and  three  otliers  built  houses,  and  were 
carrying  on  jioachin^'  liusiness  since  Oitober  of  the  preceding  year.  They  \\(!ie 
eonsei|uently  arrested  a'.d  sent  to  llokadate,  and  delivered  to  the  hands  of  the  I'liiled 
States  Consul. 

In  .Iiiiie  of  the  same  year  His  Imperial  Majesty's  ship  "Asania"  entered  into  the 
jiorl  of  .\emuro  as  a  guard-shiji,  and  crui/e<l  about  the  Kiirilo  group  and  along  the 
coast  of  Kitami. 

In  Se])teiiiber  the  "  Asama"  retiii iicil,  and  the  "  Kioriomaru''  and  "Genbiimaru" 
set  out  for  a  criii/e  around  Itriip. 

Ill  December  a  schoimer,  built  at  Miiroran  for  seal-hunting,  was  comjdeted  and 
sent  to  the  jiort  of  Jsemiiro.     'i'bis  sclioonc'r  was  named  the  '"  C'hisliimainarii." 

The  Kegulations  for  contndling  seal  lirilieiies  which  were  issued  some  years  ago, 
after  consultation  with  the  foreign  (Ulice,  had  to  bo  ainended,  owing  to  the  territo- 
rial boundaries  being  detinitely  marked  out,  conseipient  upon  the  excliaug<'  of  the 
Kiiriles  (with  h'nssia)  having  been  effected  in  September,  1874.  t'onsei]iiently,  iu 
April  ls7t),  new  regulations  for  controlling  the  fisheries  iu  Hokkaido,  consisting  of 
three  (daiises,  were  issued. 

'I'he  first  clause  ju-ohibited  any  foreign  vesstds  from  tisliing  with  any  Hne,  net, 
guns,  Ac.,  any  fisli  or  sea  animal  within  the  range  of  a  gun-shot  from  the  coast  of 
Hokkaido  orof  other  islands  belonging  to  the  Km]iire  of  .lapaii. 

The  second  clause  decreed  that  the  ollicials  a]ipuinte(l  under  the  Hegiilations  for 

controlling  fisheries  in  the  territorial  waters  of  ,Ja]iaii  shall  order  to  clear  out 

1G3       of  tlie  boundary  any  foreign  vessel  which  is  siisjiected  of  infringing  u])on  the 

jirobibitiou  mentioned  in  the  first  clause,  or  if  such  vessel  is  thought  to  have 

already  infringed  the  iirohibition,  that  they  shall  board  the  vessel  and  inspect  her 

cargo. 

The  third  clause  decreed  tliat  when  there  is  any  foreign  vessel  which  lias  actually 
infringed  the  ])r(diibition  in  the  first  clause,  or  refused  to  clear  out  of  the  boundary  or 
to  submit  to  the  inspection  of  cargo  menlioned  in  the  second  clause,  th(!  ollicials  under 
the  Wegnlations  for  contndling  fisheries  in  the  territorial  waters  of  Ja])an  shall  take 
such  vessel  to  the  nearest  ojitui  port,  shall  deliver  it  to  the  Consul  of  tin;  country  t<» 
V  liich  it  bell  ngs.  and  u])on  its  being  clearly  proved  to  be  guilty  of  the  ollenee  after 
due  iiKiiiiiies,  shall  demand  from  the  Consul  the  intlictioii  <d'  due  iinnishincnt. 

In  the  same  month,  in  the  Hay  of  Tsiimtan,  in  the  Island  of  Shikotau,  iu  the 
county  uf  llauasaki,  au  ofUce  building  and  a  store-house  were  built. 


232 


RKrt)RT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONER?. 


TIio  iHlaiid  of  Sliikotaii  is  18  ri  in  (^iionnifcrt'iieo,  iui«I  lias  a  yoixl  iiatiiral  liarlioiir. 
In  old  limes  many  natives  nsod  to  iinniifjiatcs  and  tlio  jKMiplo  of  tlio  mainland  als() 
n.-fd  to  come,  for  tiNliin<;  purposes;  but.  owinj;  to  the  (iitli<'nlt,v  of  communication, 
almost  all  of  them  crosstMl  over  to  the  nei<;'lilionrliood  of  Ncmnro;  and  at  the  jiresent 
time  it  is  rare  to  tind  any  inhabitants  in  tln^  island.  Thus  the  island  became  a  jjood 
shelter  for  foreign  ]ioachers,  and  many  vessels  made  the  harbour  tiieir  resting  place 
whence  to  sail,  and  when  the  ••'>■.(;  and  wind  were  favourabh'  for  tlmir  unlawful  acts. 
Acf'ordingly,  some  Sni>'-. intending  Connnissioners  were  sent  over  to  guard  the 
neighbourhood. 

In  June  an  otf?  e-honse  and  !i  storehouse  were  built  in  the  Hay  of  Tankamu,  in  the 
county  of  I'"i"' iilu^tsu.  Itrup. 

In  July  liis  Imjicrial  Majesty's  ship  "Mosliun"  cruize<l  about  the  Island  of  Itrup 
in  search  of  itoachers. 

In  August,  in  consideration  of  the  diligence  and  liiirdsliips  of  the  superintending 
ollicials  of  Itru])  in  diseharge  of  their  duty,  day  and  night  through  all  seasons,  a 
sub-regulation  was  made  rewarding  thi'm  l)y  special  grants  of  money,  elassiticd 
ae(U)rdiiig  to  the  merit  of  each  individual. 

In  May  187H,  in  conscfiuencMi  of  much  inconvenience  having  boon  experienced  by 
tlu!  oflicials  in  discharge  of  their  duty  on  a('Count  of  the  ditferencesof  language  on 
such  oc(^asions  as  when  intervi<',\ving  foreign  vessels  or  making  inquiry  as  to  foreign 
lioaclnus,  the  following  instructions  wore  given  to  the  superintentling  oflicials  in 
Shikotan,  and  were  ])osted  in  consjiicuous  ]ilact>s,  written  in  foreign  languages,  viz: 

"1.  This  island  is  the  Island  of  Shikotau,  county  of  Ilanasaki,  Nemurc,  Hok- 
kaido, belonging  to  the  Empire  of  .Japan, 

"2.  Yoti  are  ref|Uested  to  rcjwrt  in  detail,  in  writing,  the  nationality  of  vessel, 
its  name  and  that  of  tlie  <;aptain,  the  numlier  of  (irew,  and  the  reason  of  coming. 
If  for  temporary  anchorage,  in  want  of  water  or  fuel,  or  in  conseciuence  of  wind  or 
tide,  y<ui  are  re(|uested  to  leave  as  soon  as  your  wants  are  satisfied  or  the  weatlier 
l)eeonies  favourabb;. 

"  Hunting  of  sea  animals  is  ])rohibiteil  in  the  neighbouring  seas." 

The  skins  of  the  seals  prejtared  according  to  the  mode  of  tlu'.  locality  were  very 
thin,  and  the  jirocess  of  tanning  was  imiieifect.  In  .Mine  of  tiie  same  year  a  skilled 
tanner  of  Tokio  was  consulli'd,  and  it  was  advised  that  the  skins  shall  be  left  as 
thick  as  ])ossible,  ai.d  to  priivent  the  change  of  fur-colonr,  that  they  should  be 
])aint*Hl  with  coal-water  in  suili  a  manner  as  to  allow  the  colour  of  the  leather  to  be 
seen,  and  when  dry  to  be  ])ainted  again  twice  in  the  same  way.  In  summer,  there 
btsing  fear  of  moth,  they  were  to  be  painted  with  camphor-water  after  being  painted 
with  coal-water. 

Heretofore,  as  there  was  no  restriction  'M  to  the  mode  of  seal-hunting,  am  fears 
were  entertained  of  the  extermination  of  the  species  by  wanton  hunting,  Hunting 
Regulations  w(^re  issu»'d  in  Oc^tober  with  a  view  to  i)romoto  the  increase  of  seals,  as 
well  as  to  (dieck  poaching;  and  four  superintending  otlicials  and  thirty-six  hunters 
were  added. 

The  Regulations  run  as  follows; 

"  Article  1.  In  view  of  ))rotecting  seal-hunting  and  (diecking  foreign  poachers,  a 
vessel  of  foreign  type  shall  be  (;onnnissou(>d  to  (U'ui/e  in  the  ueighbourhood  of  Itriiit. 
'Chishimamaru '  shall  be,  coinmissoned  tor  this  purpose  for  the  time  being. 

"Art.  2.  The  nuxle  of  killing  shall  mainly  be  liy  clubbing,  and  th<^  use  of  guns 
shall  b(^  avoided  as  mu<'li  as  jiossible, 

"  .'  rti.  I{.   Young  seals  shall  be  spared  as  much  as  ])ossible. 
Art.  I,  Th(!  number  of  seals  to  be  caughl-  within   1  ri  of  const-line  shall  not 
exceed  forty-live  ]»er  annum. 

"Art.  T).  Metween  the  months  of  May  and  November  the  killing  of  .seals  within  1 
ri  of  coast-lim;  is  ])rohibited. 

"  Avl.  (!.  Any  ])ers<m  who  catches  woumled  or  cri))pled  seals  washoil  ashore,  even 
within  the  ])rohiliilion  limit,  shall  be  ]iaid  in  money  or  in  kind  according  to  the 
(jnality  of  llii^  skin. 

"Art.  7.  To  ])revent  th"  dei'rease  of  scmIh  by  carebsss  chasing  and  wanton  killing, 
s|iecial  care  shall  always  be  taken,  and  the  jireventive  method  shall  be  established. 

"Art.  8.  The  number  of  seals  taken  will  be  inspectetl,  and  their  skins  shall  fix  the 
pi'oof  of  their  ages. 

"Art.  !t.  The  covering  and  breeding  seas(uis,  Sic,  shall  be  carefully  ascertained 
by  ])ract'cal  observations. 

"Art.  10.  Practical  oliservations  and  investigations  shall  be  made  as  to  the  truth 
of  the  seals  losing  or  changing  the  colour  of  their  fur  ai'cording  to  difVoriuit  si^asons. 

"Art.  11.  An  aitinil  in\'estigation  shall  be  nnide  as  to  how  many  seals  can  bo 
caught  annmilly  if  the  use  of  guns  Ik^  discontinued,  ami  clubs  and  bows  and  arrows 
be  adopted  instead, 

"Art.  12.  While  out  hnufing,  if  any  thing  oit-urs  likely  to  form  un  object  fi»r  future 
invest <<;atioii,  a  niiuute  record  shall  be  kept. 


liarhoiir. 
iImikI  iilso 
iiiiL'!itii)ii, 
le  proseiit 
lu-  a  K<><"^ 
in;;-  plnco 
wfiil  at'ts. 
riiaiil  the 

r.iii,  in  the 

I  (if  Itnip 

•intending 

HeaHon8,  a 

classiiiod 

•ienced  by 
ngnage  on 
to  Corei^in 
Dflicials  in 
iiaK^'H,  viz: 
inrc,  Hok- 

'  of  vcHsel, 
of  coniinjf. 
of  wiml  or 
lie  weather 


r  wcio  very 

ar  a  skilhiil 

1  he  h'ft  as 

shonhl   he 

[ather  to  he 

ner,  there 

ig  painted 

am    fears 

llnnting 

'  Heals,  as 

IX  hnntiMs 


oachers,  a 
4  of  Itrnp. 

ISO  of  giina 


shall  not 

Is  within  I 

diore,  even 
ling  to  the 

on  killing, 
stahlisluMl. 
hall  lix  the 

iHcertained 

the  trnth 
nt  seasons, 
als  ran  ho 
md  arrows 

,for  fntnn: 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS, 


233 


"Art.  i;{.  While  the  present  h'ogulations  shall  ho  strictly  olieyeil  liy  all  Ihose 
101       who  are  responsible  for  seal-hnnting,   they  ean  address  themselves  to    the 
anthorities  to  otl'eet  rei[nired  aniendnients  in   ease  praetieal   ineonvonienees 
shall  have  been  experienced." 

Year  hy  year  the  nse  of  gnns  for  killing  seals  having  gradnally  increased,  the 
frightened  seals  escaped  iiiNi  distant  places,  and  began  to  (lock  about  the  coast-lines 
anit  iiear  seas  of  the  Island  of  Knnnshir,  where  hninan  beings  wcro  most  seldom 
fonnd.  ('onsequently,  hunting  ((nartcrs  wei'e  estabfishe'l  in  the  island,  hunting 
an|iaratnses  n«!wly  sa)i])1ied,  snperintending  otlicers  were  sent  and  hunters  engaged, 
and  the  hunting  business  w(.  ,  started  afresli.  Ihit  here,  again,  jieople  came  and  tixed 
thiiir  liunting  tiuarters,  anil  the  arrival  and  departure  of  linats  becanu;  frei|ueiit. 
Tlie  decrease  of  seals  miturally  follov»eil,  and  foreign  poacheis  also  <lisa|ipeared. 

In  Jnne  IHW  a  hunting  depot  was  built  at  Iririiiush,  in  the  county  of  l-'urubotsu, 
Itrnp. 

In  May  1880  His  Imi)orial  Majesty's  Consul  at  San  Francisco  re]iorted  that  a  schooner 
had  left  that  port  for  the  i»urpose  of  seal-hunting  in  the  neighbouring  seas  of  Itrup. 

On  observing  the  general  aspect  at  this  time,  and  comparing  it  with  former  years, 
the  number  of  seals  caught  was  found  to  lie  on  the  decrease,  and  it  is  evident  as  a 
matter  of  course  that  the  nuu-e  they  are  kil hid  the  fewer  will  be  bred;  while,  year 
after  year,  increased  intiux  of  foreign  jioachers  eonip<!ted  in  the  fishing,  there  being  int 
means  of  checking  them  outside  the  lineot  tt.'rritoiial  limit  tixed  by  international  law. 
Itcsides,  as  the  foreigners  did  not  in  the  least  care  about  the  decrease!  of  breeding  or 
the  extermination  of  the  s]»ecies,  they  freely  used  their  guns  in  hunting,  and,  as  the 
result,  they  killed  the  greatest  number.  Thus  we  were  alsoobligeil  to  throw  aside  the 
old  instruments,  such  as  elubs,  bows  and  arrows,  and  gatl's,  an<l  to  adopt  the  gun, 
as  it  would  be  most  fo<dish  to  keep  to  t!ie  old  system  while  letting  others  make  the 
greatest  gain.     Thus  the  use  of  gnus  is  the  main  cause  of  the  presi  nt  decrease. 

In  February  18H2,  after  Kaitakushi  was  abolished,  seal  lishery  allaiis  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Agricultural  and  Connnenial  Department,  together  with  the  superin- 
tending ollicers,  tisiiing  implements,  and  everything  connected  with  the  lislun-ies. 
Fr(»m  this  time  the  (ishing  was  carried  on  by  the  authority  of  the  abovementioned 
Department  until  1887.  And,  in  188!>,  the  "  I •.■iini]>pon  Suisan  Kaisha"  (the  Maiiut> 
Produce  (."om])any  of  the  Enij)ire  o+"  -lapani  was  given  the  exclusive  ]!eiiiiission  of 
Inr  tipii>- seals  and  8oa-otters;  and  the  several  Regulations  in  foice  at  the  iireseut 
tiiue  are  as  fi>11ows: 

"l>IX:UKK  NO.  1(1. 

"May  23,  17t»  ykaii  ok  Mki.ii  (1881). 
"In  future,  the  hunting  and  catching  cd"  seals  and  sea-otters  in  Hokkaido  is  pro- 
hibited; the  oHenders  will  be  ])unished  by  ;)7I?r<I  clause  of  the  Penal  Code,  and  tlieir 
catches  will  he  conliscat(;d ;  but  thosc^  who  art^  in  posst^ssion  of  the  special  perndssiou 
of  the  Minister  of  Agritulture  and  Comnuirce  shall  be  exempted." 

"l.MrKHIAI.   DIM  I!1:K   NO.  80. 

"Dkckmhku  1(».  1!)tii  ykau  ok  Mki.ii  (188(;). 

"i{r.(iTTi.Aii(»\s  roxiitoi '.;\(i  Tiiic  in'NriN);.  riiK  imioima  iion,  ani>   iiik  s.m.k  ok 
.sKAi.s  ani>  SKA-orri;i:s  and  Tiiiuit  haw  iiiuks. 

"Article  1.  Any  jjorson  whoisin  possession  of  the  special  iiernnssionof  the;  Minister 
of  Agriculture  an<l  Commerce,  ]iu'.'suan(i  to  the  Uecree  No,  l(i  of  the  17th  yeai'  of 
Mciji  (1884),  shall  be  allowed  to  hunt  and  catch  seals  and  soa-otters  within  such 
a  lea  ami  season  as  Mi;iy  be  tix<!d  by  llokkaiilo  Clio.  jU'ovideil  that  the  ]iers(ui  shall 
alw.'iys  carry  tli<'  |ieciiil  jtei'mit  when  he  is  engaged  in  hunting,  and  that  wluMover 
\n'  may  be,  im  land  or  on  water,  Ik^  shall  at  once  jirodiici'  and  show  the  same  to  the 
BUlieriiitendii.g  ollicials  or  police  ollicers  when  they  ask  him  to  ilo  so. 

"Art.  2.  WIkmi  any  ]ierson  enga;;t'(l  in  seal  and  sea-otter  hunting  arrives  in  Hok- 
kaido, he  shall  rej>.>rt  the  .lanie  of  his  boat,  its  tonnage,  and  the  names  of  crew,  to 
the  branch  oltice  named  liy  the  Hokkaido  Chri,  and  shall  always  keep  tixed  to  the 
mast,  or  other  conspicuous  juirt  of  the  boat,  a  certain  sign  s[>ecially  jirovidctl  for 
sn(di  hunting-boats. 

"Art.  ;{.  Any  jjer.son  wishing  to  sell  raw  hides  of  seals  or  sea-otters  shall  fust  lue- 
fienl  and  have  them  stamped  '  Invaliding  stani;>s  ean  be  used)  by  the  jirojicr  othceis  at 
the  branch  oltice  nicntioiied  in  Article  2.  No  hides  without  this  olhci.il  stamp  shall 
be  allowed  to  be  sold. 

"Art.  4.  If  any  jtorson  who  has  imported  into  any  ]iort  of  the  Empire,  or  ancliored 
in  any  jxu't  having  on  l»oard  raw  hides  of  seals  or  sea-otters,  or  had  sold  or  is  going 
to  sell  these  hi<les  in  a  nuirkttt,  he  found  out,  the  CiiHloms  iiutliorities  or  the  police 


i 


i,  II 


234 


RKPORT    OF    imiTISTI    COMMISSIONERS. 


ollioor.s  Hliiill  soino  the  articlcH,  aii'l  shall  at  oiice  prosecute  the  ofl'ciuler:  ])rovi(le(l 
that  the  raw  liides  of  seals  or  sea-()tt<'rs  caufjlit  within  the  territoiies  of  ]{iissia  or 
tiic  Kniteil  Stiitcs  of  Ainoriea,  with  duo  peruiissiou  of  the  respective  (JoveiiinuMifs, 
can  bo  iiii]iortc(l  into  the  Empire  iijjon  the  owner  or  the  captain  of  the  shi])  produc- 
in;C  tlie  cortilicate  given  them  by  th(i  ])roper  antliority  of  their  Government  or  the 
guaranteeing  certificate  of  the  Russian  or  the  United  States  Consuls  residing  iu  the 
Enii)ire." 


1()5 


"Report  refiardhig  the  llevision  of  the  Details  of  Procedure,  to  carry  out  the  Regu- 
lations vontrollivfi  the  Seal  and  Sea-otter  Hunting. 


"To  his  Exeollency  Enomotto  Takkaki, 

"Minister  of  Agriculture  and  Commerce,  cj-c. 

"Hokkaido,  Ciio,  •fulg  in,  21st  year  o_t  n.'ciji  (1S,^S). 
"Sm:  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  your  Exeollency  that  tlus  details  of  procedure 
to  eari'y  out  tlie  Regulations  controlling  s<'al  and  sea-otter  liuntiug  ])er  noti;icatiou 
No.  Ko.  15  of  Hokkaido  (;ho  (December)  liMh  of  Meiji  (1S8(5)  have  been  revised,  as 
shown  in  the  inclosed  copy  of  Chorei  No.  35,  dated  10th  May  of  the  current  year. 
"1  have,  &.O. 

(Signed)  "Naciayama  Takksiiiho, 

"JJirectorof  Hokkaido  ChO." 


"ni;TAii,s    of 


PItOCI.niIRK   TO 
SKA  I 


["  Iiiclosure.] 

TARliY   OUT     THE    Rr.OlJI.ATIOXS 
ANI>    SI'.A-OTTKK   IIUNTINO. 


CONTROI.I.IXG    THE 


"Article.  1.  Tlu;  open  season  for  seal  and  sea-otter  hunting  shall  be  from  the  15th 
April  to  the  31st  October  iu  each  year. 


"Tlie  lirst  section  includes  seven  islands,  (.  e.,  Itrui),  Uuirilioi,  liutettclielDoa  L«J» 
IJroughtou,  Raikokc.  Mushir,  and  Chirinkotan. 

"The  second  section  includes  six  islands,  i.e.,  Shimshir,  Shiritoi,  Ushishir,  Sleto- 
nepa  [f],  Rasliiia,  and  Matsua.  . 

"The  third  section  includes  twolv<!  islands,/.*;.,  Shannekotau,  Yehkerma  [?], 
Karrcukotan,  Oniiekotan,  Alios,  Makariishi,  Shiireiiwa  [?],  Paramushir,  Holt,  Cocks- 
car,  ,\raito,  and  Shimshii. 

"Alt.  3.  W'liiMi  a  boat  is  going  out  for  hunting-,  her  name,  tonnages,  and  the  names 
of  the  crew  shall  be  reiiortcd  Cor  inspection  to  the  brunch  ollice  of  seal  and  sea-otter 
linnting  sii]icriiileudiiig  aiitlioritii's,  cither  at  Ncniuro,  in  the  couuty  of  Nemuro,  or 
ut  Shikotaii,  in  the  county  of  Chishima. 

"Art.  4.  \Vheii  the  branch  ollice  of  seal  and  sea-otter  hunting  superintending 
anthoiities  liiul  the  report  uientioned  in  Articles  in  du(>  form  on  inspection,  it  will 
give  to  the  boat  a  Hag  iKU'ciiial'ter  shown. 

"Art.  5.  Any  jicisou  who  wishes  to  exjiort  and  sell  the  raw  hides  of  his  catch  shall 
]iroil  lice  them  to  (lie  Shikotan  branch  of  the  seal  and  sea-otter  hunting  superintending 
uutliorities,  and  shall  have  thorn  slainped." 


)rovi(le«l 
tiissia  or 
■miit'uts, 
prodnc- 
nt  or  tlio 
ig  in  tlie 


Ihe  Reiju- 


(ISSS). 
|)roi'e(liire 
(tiiication 
(■vised,  as 
it  your. 

:lo  ChO." 


I.ING    THE 


in  the  ir)tli 

I  ot  Itrup, 
sections, 

ell>oa  [f], 

hir,  Sleto- 

■rnia  [?1, 
olt,  Cocks- 

tbe  names 
(1  Ki'a-ottiT 
.'emnro,  or 

ntendiiiK 
ion,  it  will 

Batch  shall 
riiitontlint! 


REPOKT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


235 


Till'.  I'l.Ar. 


--[7?«7.] 

1— 1 

^1 

IWhitc  grotniiJ.] 

166 


[4  shalcu.] 
Niimher  of  Seah  and  Sea-oilers  caught. 


Yciir. 

XiiiiiImt  of   Niimbor  of 
Si'aottofH.        Sfiiln. 

Your. 

Nmiibcr  id 
Sea  otters. 

Nmiilier  of 
SciiIm. 

1873 

288        

188;)               

;i 

5:t 
111 
U9 

1874 

78    

250    

285    

1884 

1885 

188fi 

1887 

1875 

]87fi                                 ...    . 

1877                                  .      .    . 

34:1 

1878 

270            

1K88                   

1K70 

211    

1880... 
1800... 
1891... 

5:1 
47 

:!:i 

]880 

];i7    

381 

IKKl         

77    

1882 

82    

MonoriiiiiJiiiH  renpictiii//  •lapanesc  Seal  Fixhcvivx. 

1,— WIIKTIIK.K  TIIK  DIX'I.INK  ()l{  DKSTIMCTION  (IK  Till'.  IISIII'.KV  IS  A  rXItl  111  T.AItl.K 
TO  Tin;  SI, AI'OII  11:11  OK  TIIK  SKAl.S  Willi. IC  ON  SlIOItK  AT  TIIKIlt  ltUKI':i)|N(i-l'I,A(  lOS, 
OK  TO   TllKllt    I'lmSlIT    AT    I.AUCiK    O.N    TIIK    I  IliCU.M.TACKNT   Ol  KAN. 

1,  The  only  known  rookerins  or  hauliiijj  groiuula  of  the  fur-seal  within  .lapaucse 
dominions  are  the  followino-; 

Si'ediioi  Rocks  (otf  Ushishia). 
Raik(>k('>  Island. 
Mnsliiu  Rocks. 

The  firstof  these  hanlinji  fjronnds,  all  of  which  are  situated  in  the  Knriles,  is  only 
Si.'iie  UK)  yards  Iohlj  hy  (iO  yards  wide,  and  the  others  ar(!  not  niiu'h  larger;  hiit  at 
tluii  time  of  their  discovery  in  ISSI  they  must  have  harboiiicil  aiiiniiiliy  some  'JO, 000  or 
25,000 fur-Heal"-  ■  .'"i.OOO  wore  actually  taken  there  hy  one  vessel  in  the  year  ment  iniicd. 
Since  then  tlie.\  'lave  gradually  decliiuul  in  productiveness,  and  it  may  lie  said  that 
at  the]iresent  time  they  yield  catches  of  only  a  lew  scores  in  the  place  of  tlioiis.'iinls. 

There  can  he  no  doiiljt  that  this  result  is  exclusively  due  to  the  indisciiminate 
Hlaiio;hter  of  the  seals  at  their  hre(MlinK  jdiice.  No  "  rookery  "  could  withstand  for 
niai.y  years  such  wholesale  destruction  as  these  were  exjiosed  to  in  c(mHe(|ii('U<c  of 
the  successfnl  venture  of  1S81.  Nor  is  tlierc  any  (dhor  way  of  accimiitiiiK  for  their 
de))letion,  for  it  is  known  that  the  two  or  three  foreion  sealers  which  now  lind  it 
worth  their  while  to  eipiii)  at  Vokohiima  do  not  enKafje  in  (icjanic  sealiii'i,  hut  pro- 
reed  to  the  more  extensive  haunts  of  their  (|uarry  luiyond  ,la]iimcse  waters,  such  as 
R(dd)en,  llehrin^,  ;ind  Copp(a'  Islands,  whore  they  ho]io  to  olude  the  vigilance  u*'  the 
Russian  guard  vessels, 


^ 


236 


REPORT    OP   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS, 


Si  'J 
'0 


J^ai'^c  iiiuiiUnrH  of  seal  from  tlie   Riis.siiiu  "rookeries"  are  scattered  every  winter 

over  the  rx'efiii  Iviiifj  oft'  tlie  iiortli  eiist  coast  of  .Japan,  lint  tliey  are  ininioleslril  liy 

forei;;ii  or  native  Healiiin-vesseis,  and  cnily  tluf  frinj!,!'  of  them  is  touched   i)y  native 

fishei'inen  in  their  open  hoat.s  along  the  Nanibn  aucl  Yexo  coast,  wliere  some  2,()00  or 
•i  ni\n  ,...„  f..i-,..,  .......... n.. 


S,()0()  are  taken  annnally 


2.— IN    WHAT   .MANNKK  TIIK 


I  rU-SI'.AI,  KI.SIII'.UV  IIA.S    HKKN  OR   IS  CONDL'CTKI)    IN   KACU 
PAKIICII.AU    I.OCAl.lTV. 


2.  The  coast  iishory  by  the  .Japanese  in  tlie  immediate  neiglibonrhood  of  Yezo  and 
off  the  mainland  north  of  Tnabosaki  liasjnst  been  allndeil  to.  It  ia  carried  on  in 
native  ()f)en  boats  by  means  of  spearing  or  nets.  The  catch  (2,000  or  H,()00  skins 
a-year)  is  disposed  of  to  Chinese  merchants  at  Hakodate. 

Other  pelagic  stalling  there  is  none  in  the  ocean  lying  otf  Japan. 

Thi!  few  .scattered  seals  still  to  l»e  fonnd  about  the  exhansted  lu'eeding  grounds  of 
tlu!  Knriles  are  occasionally  taken  by  the  sdiooners  of  the  Jajianese  "  Marine  I'rod- 
ncls  Coniitany,''  bnt  only  two  fitted  ont  this  year,  and  their  catch  was  sixty  seals 
hetweeu  them 

Of  l$ritish  and  other  foreign  sealers  only  three  were  ecpiipped  at  Yokohama  this 
year,  bnt  the  s)there  of  their  operations  lies  to  the  northw;ird  lieyond  .Japanese 
jnrisdi(!tii>n.  According  to  fignres  furnished  by  the  British  Consnlate  at  Yokohama, 
lietween  eleven  and  eighteen  of  these  vessels  left  Y'okohania  annnaUy  for  the  seal 
li.'dicries  in  the  years  following  the  discovery  of  the  Jvnrile  breeding  gronnds, 
namely,  between  1^<K2  and  188.5  inehisive.  After  1885  their  numbias  gradually  dwin- 
«lled,  »)wing  to  the  depletion  of  the  .Japanese  lishery  and  the  greater  risk  and  uncer- 
tainty attending  a  criii/e  to  more  northerly  v.'uters. 
lt)7  It  is  slated  by  the  .laiianese  Agricultural  Department  that  "the  fnr-seal 

app<'ars  to  be  reared  on  the  rocky  coasts,  and,  in  cnnse(inenee,  they  are  gener- 
ally caught  while  swimming  at  a  distance  not  moie  than  1  nautical  mile  from  the 
coast." 

It  imiy  be  that  a  few  are  so  taken  iibont  the  Knriles,  bnt  the  tishery — now  almost 
extinct — of  those  islands  was  carried  on,  in  the  years  of  its  prosperity,  entirely  by 
elul)biug  the  aninntls  on  the  beach. 

3. — WIIKTIIKU  ANY,  AM),  11"  ANY,  WHAT  MKASl'UK.S  IIAVK  IW.KS  TAKKN  TOWARDS  THE 
I'lloriCCTlON  OK  TIIK  I'lK-SI'.AL  FISIIKIMK.S,  AND,  I'nRTllI'.H,  IK  ANY  Sl'dl  MKASl'HKS 
AKIO  KNOWN  TO  IIAVK  I'HOVKD  SL'C1I';.>^.SKI  L  IN  I'HK.SKKX  ING  OK  KKII AIUI.ITATI.NO 
TIIK    Kl.SIIKHIKS. 

3.  The  measures  tardily  taken  liy  the  .Japanese  Government  in  1884  to  protect  the 
I<kiirilc  rookeries  have  remained  entirely  inojierative.  l-Haborate  Regulations  were 
framed  in  that  year  and  in  lH8t!,  establishing  a  I'lose  season  between  the  1st  Novem- 
ber and  the  ISth  April,  and  dividing  the  Knriles  into  tliree  groups,  in  only  one  of 
which  was  tishing  to  be  allowed  in  any  one  year,  and  then  only  on  the  issue  of  a 
lici'iice  by  the  authority  constituted  for  the  jinrpose. 

'I'hi'i'e  is  no  means  of  enforcing  these  Regulations,  which,  indeed,  were  not  devised 
until  alter  the  ruin  of  tlu!  hanling  grounds  had  been  effected.  A  .lajtanese  guard- 
ship  was  told  off  this  year  to  watch  over  their  observance,  bnt  sh«!  never  left  her 
station  at  Nemnro,  ami,  excoi)t  the  .lapane.se  "Marine  I'roducts  Company,"  now 
rapidly  a[iproaching  bankrui)tcy,  no  oin?  dreams  of  api)lyiiig  for  the  regulation 
licence,  or  of  limiting  his  ojterations  to  the  gron])  in  which  the  lishery  is  higally  per- 
nnssible.  Hut,  as  stated  above,  the  Knriles  no  longer  tittract  the  seal  fishermen  to 
any  extent  worth  mentioning. 

The  Japanese  Regulations  in  question  have  no  bearing  on  i)elagic  sealing,  which, 
iis  already  stated,  is  not  engaged  in  by  .lapanese  or  foreign  sealing-vessels. 

4. — (iKNKUAU.Y,  ANY  I'AIJI  ICULAH,**  A8  TO  TIIK  MKK-IIISTOUV  OK  TIIK  ANIMAL,  ITS 
MKilfAIION,  SKVSON  OF  ltlllN(!IN»i  KOUTIl  ITS  YOl'N(i,  AND  HAItlT.S  OK  TIIK  SKAI.S 
Villi, K   KNOAdKD    IN    SrCKI,IN(i   AND   HKAHINO   TIIK    voimo. 

•I.  The  vast  bulk  of  the  seals  now  found  in  Japanese  waters,  and  more  especially 
in  that  portion  of  the  ocean  extending  eastwards  fiom  the  coast  between  Inabosaki 
and  the  eauteiii  point  of  Vi'/o  are  from  thelv'nssian  breeding  grounds  in  the  itehring 
8ea  and  in  tlie  Sea  of  ( )klio(sk. 

They  follow  the  lish  southwards  abinit  the  beginning  of  November,  nn<l  remain 
scattered  over  a  large  expanse  of  ocean,  where  they  are  <|ui.e  unmolested,  through- 
out the  winter  and  spring  months.  It  is  a  nnitter  of  some  surprise  that  no  att(>m]>t 
is  made  to  take  tliein  in  tint  o]i(tn  S(>a,  as  is  done  on  such  ii  large  scah^  in  the  case  of 
the  seals  resorting  to  tlui  breeding  gronnds  of  the  eastern  iiortion  of  Hehriug  Sea. 
I'ossibly  they  scatter  more  in  the  Western  Faeilic,  and  are  less  easv  to  tlud. 


V  winter 
iVstcil  by 
)V  iiiitivi' 
j'2,(X)0or 


IN   KACH 

Yezo  aud 
it><l  on  in 
1)00  .skins 


ronnds  of 
•\iw  I'rixl- 
ixty  seals 

Ijiiniu  this 
Japanese 
okohania, 
r  the  seal 
jrroumis, 
illy  (Iwiu- 
md  uneer- 

le  fur-seal 
are  j^oner- 
e  Ironi  llie 

ow  almost 
lutirely  by 


MKASritF.S 
IIMTATINO 


rotect  the 
ioiiH  were 
st  Novein- 
ily  one  of 
issue  of  a 

t  devised 
ese  f;;nard- 
left  her 
ny."  now 
■i;iilation 
■  Mlly  i>er- 
it^rinen  to 

1^-,  which, 


>IMAI.,    ITS 
II IK   SKAI.S 


especially 
Inahosaki 
10  Hehring 

lid  remain 
throntth- 
o  attenii»t 
lie  case  of 
iriug  Sea. 
I. 


REPORT    OP    BRITI.Sfl    COMMISHIONERS. 


237 


After  their  sojourn  in  the  south,  the  first  to  repair  to  the  norlheri!  rook«>ries  are 
the  old  bulls,  arriviii}^  about  the  middle  of  .lime.  Tiiey  await  the  cows,  which  fol- 
low them  towards  the  end  of  the  sama  month.  Yoarliiijis  and  other  iion-breedinj; 
R(^•ll8  arrive  at  any  time  later.  The  young  are  brought  forth  in  the  beginning  of 
July. 

It  is  sometimes  stjitod  that  the  females  are  in  the  habit  of  leaving  the  rookeries 
to  catch  lish  within  10  or  liO  miles  of  the  shore  for  the  support  of  their  young,  but 
the  experienced  aiilh(»rity  ou  whose  remarks  these  notes  are  founded  is  not,  of  this 
opinion.  Ho  has  never  found  food  inside  the  female  fur-seal  taken  on  the  hauling 
grounds. 

(Si.u'iird)  M.  nK  Bt-NSKX, 

JJvr  Majoity'a  Sevyctavy  of  I.eijulion. 

TOkiA,  Kovmhcr  ID,  ISOl. 


Mr.  Il'yndham  to  the  Marquis  of  Sulidiury. — {liccvirrd  Xonmtwr^l.) 

(No.  107.     Commercial.)  Rio  !>k  Jankiuo,  Octni.cr  ?7,  lSt)t, 

My  r^onn:  With  reference  to  your  liorilshiii's  Circular  despatch  No.  ;iO  of  the  10th 
August  last,  and  to  my  despatch  No.  Ill  of  the  25th  September,  on  the  subject  of  the 
fur-seal  lisheritss  of  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  1  have  the  honour  to  transmit  here- 
with to  your  Lordshi|)  copy  of  a  despatch  which  I  have  received  from  ller  .Majesty's 
Consul  at  Rio  Grande  do  .*<ul,  in  whicli  he  states  that,  having  made  iminin^s  in  both 
States  of  his  CoiiKiiliir  district,  he  linds  that  no  expeditions  .-ire  8«Mit  thence  to  tlio 
tisheries,  and  that  nothing  is  known  about  the  conditions  under  which  the  fisheries 
are  carried  out,  or  the  habits  of  the  seal  itself. 
I  have,  «S:c, 

(Signed)  Huuit  Wv.ndiiam. 


CON.Srr,    IIICAKMC   TO    MIt.    WYMHIAM. 


Rio  (iHANDK,  DO  Sii,,  October  H,  IRru. 


•  — • .-...- --J  ,.      ........ 

Sin:  With  reference  to  yoiir  desi>atch  of  the  0th  September  last  n'S])ecting  certain 

informalioii  with  regard  to  the  fur-seal  tisheries  of  the  Southern  itemisphcrc, 

1(58      I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  thut  I  have  made  iiuinirios  in  both  St;ilcs  in 

tl.i,,     <<r..,ci.il....     .Ilufi.:..*^        ■>...]      <;■'.. I     ll...f     ....    n.-on.l.'f  ;....a      .....<    u....)-    1. ,.•...»     »..     tl...     lU.l. 


e 
on 


thi'j  Consular  <listrict,  and  liiid  that  no  expeditions  are  sent  hence  to  the  lisli- 
ries,  nor  is  anything  known  about  the  conditions  under  which  tisheries  are  carried 
int,  or  the  habits  of  the  seal  itself. 

I  have,  »!tc. 

(Signed)  W.  R.  Hkaunk. 


Mr.  li yiidlir  'I  to  the  Maniuis  of  iSaliiibury. — {liirvircd  (>('tol)cr ,?,?.) 

(No.  114.)  Rio  i>k  ,] xyv.ino,  Scptcmtjer  SiJ,  /SOf. 

My  Loitn:  With  reference  to  your  LordRliiii's  despatih  No.  30  of  the  10th  ultimo, 
desiring  certain  inlbrnijilion  respecting  fur-seal  life  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  for 
the  use  of  the  (Jovernnient  of  Canada,  and  to  my  despatidi  No.  10!)  of  the  0th  instant 
on  tlie  sanm  subject,  1  ha\(^  the  honour  to  report  to  your  Lordship  that  I  hiivo 
received  a  note  from  the  Minister  of  For(Ugii  Ali'airs,  in  reply  to  my  re(|nest  for  the 
information  desired,  in  which  he  states,  on  the  authority  of  tlie  Minister  of  Marine, 
that  seal-lishing  is  unknown  in  Hra/.ilian  territorial  waters,  tliiil  no  laws  resiiocting 
the  same  exist  in  Hra/il,  and  that  hitherto  no  vessel  engaged  in  this  trade  has 
touched  at  any  IJrazilian  port. 
1  have,  i&c. 

(Signed)  Hu(iii  Wv.ndiiam. 


Mr.  Pakiiihnm  to  the  ManpiiH  of  Solhbnry. — {lieeeirtd  Jamtary  IS,  ISO.?.) 

(No.  51.)  Ilt'KNos  Aykk.s,  Devvmliir  J'.',  1S91. 

My  Lokd:  With  reference  to  yonr  Fioidshiii's  despaich  No.  21  of  lln^  lOtli  .\iigust 
on  the  subject  of  seals  and  seal  lisluM'y  on  the  Argentine  coast,  I  now  have  the 
honour  to  inclose  translation  of  the  rt^ply  of  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Atl'aiis  to  my 
iiKiuiry  on  the  subject,  whereof  copy  is  likewise  inclosed. 


<TWIi|H  I     j.-^n. 


238 


REPORT    OF    BRITISn    COMMISSIONERS. 


Apparonrrv  ilie  tiikiiij;  of  scala  is  at  pros«Mit  |)roliil)ite()  by  law,  as  also  the  work- 
inj;  tor  piodt  of  any  nutiir.il  piodiict  of  tln<  Hoiitli  coa.stN,  ilsonirli  If,  j.s  implied  tliat 
lieforo  very  long  certain  liNliciy  privileges  may  be  conferred  in  varions  quarters  not 
aH  yet  named. 

I  lielieye  there  is  an  extcnHive  indnstry  in  the  seal  liHlicry  olf  Maldonado,  near 
Monte  Video,  and,  in  fact,  I  well  reniemher,  twenty-live  years  or  so  ago,  tiiat  those 
concerned  in  tlie  lisliery  <.'av.'ly  petitioned  the  (iovernnient  that  the  lighthonse  at 
Maldonado  should  bo  clost  i,  as  the  light  appeared  to  alarm  the  seals. 
1  have,  Ac. 

(Signed)  F.  I'aki'.nham. 


MR.  PAKICNMIAM    TO    SKNOR   COSTA. 

HuKNos  Ayi!1:s,  Sepfcmhrr  12,  1S01. 
M.  t.K  Minis  ri!K:  I  have  the  honour  to  place  in  yonr  E.xcellency's  hands  a  copy  of 
a  Circular  issued  by  the  Department  of  Fislieries  of  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  and 
which  liOrd  .Salisbury  has  directed  mo  to  lay  before  the  Argentine  (liovernnieut,  with 
the  reiinest  that,  if  it  is  ))0S8ible,  they  will  kindly  furnish  tho  information  therein 
asked,  which  is  to  the  eltect  that  fears  being  now  seriously  entertained  as  to  tho 
total  destruction  of  tho  fur-seal,  or  sea-hear,  a  series  of  queries  has  been  issued  on 
this  interesting  subject  with  a  view  to  their  protection. 

I  have  therefore  the  honour  to  re<|ue8t  that  your  Kxcellenoy  will  kindly  cause 
steps  to  1)0  taken  to  ol>tain  tho  desired  information  as  to  the  pursuit,  capture,  or 
])reservation  of  tiiese  valuabh;  animals  in  Argentine  waters  for  transmission  to  tho 
Governor-(4eneral  of  the  Dominiou. 
1  avail,  iVc. 

(Signed)  F.  Pakkniiam. 


SEROR  ZEHALLOS   to   MR.  PAKKNIIAM. 

[Tninslatiim.] 

HuENOs  Aykks,  Dfcniihcr  14,  1S91. 
SeSor  Ministro;  111  reply  to  yournote  addressed  to  my  distinguished  luedecessor 
on  the  12lh  .Seittetnberlast,  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  your  Kxcelleiwy  that  the  tak- 
ing (d"  seals,  as  also  the  working  for  i)rotit  ("oxploitacioii '')  of  any  natural  ))roduct 
of  the  south  coasts,  is  prohibited  by  law,  and  for  a  long  time  this  has  been  the  case 
with  tills  branch  (d"  national  industry. 

Further,  from  what  I  can  Judge  of  the  case,  I  am  able  to  tell  your  Excellency  that 
the  Executive  Power  has  asked  Congress  tor  authority  to  concede  some  tishing  con- 
cessions to  certain  ))erHons,  who  will  lie  o'oliged  to  su|)i)lv  the  necessary  information 
for  the  jinlilicatioii  of  tho  projects  presented  to  tho  Legislative  liody. 
I  avail,  &.O. 

(Signed)  Estamsi.ao  Zehali.os. 


1G9 


Memorandum  on  the  Seal  FiHlicrii  in  I'nuinni/,  hi/  Mr.  l-^rneat  Satow, 


The  seal  fishery  in  the  Republic  of  Uruguay  is  carriiid  on  at  three  jioints  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  namely,  TiObos  Island,  at  the  entrance  to  the  Rio  de  la  Plata,  at  the 
Castillos  Islands  furtluir  north,  and  at  Corouilla  group,  near  the  Brazilian  frontier. 

Two  kinds  of  seals  are  known  there,  namely,  the  fur-seal,  and  the  cominou  single-, 
hair  seal.  Tli(>  male  of  the  latter  s))ecies  is  largo,  and  of  a  dark  brown  colour,  while 
the  female  is  much  smaller,  and  of  a  yellow  colour. 

At  Lidxis  Island  there  is  an  establislmient  for  steaming  down  tho  oil  and  salting  the 
skins,  besides  huts  for  the  accommodation  of  tho  sealers  who  live  there  during  the 
killing  season. 

At  the  highest  ]>oiiituf  the  island  is  a  large  "  corral,"  or  inclosure,  capable  of  hold- 
ing several  thousand  seals.  When  not  engaged  in  killing,  the  sealers  remain  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  huts,  but.  when  the  superinttMitlent  sees  a  favourable  opportunity, 
which  ha)»iiens  usually  during  cold  winds  frcun  the  southeast,  in  consequence  of  the 
seals  coming  high  up  out  of  tiie  water,  he  sends  the  men  down  to  interce)>t  th<'m,  and 
by  making  loud  noises  to  drive  iheiii  into  the  corral.  Then,  as  convenienre  suits,  a 
certain  nuinber  of  seals  an^  let  out  by  a  door  on  the  oi>posito  side  to  that  by  which 
they  entered,  and  driven  to  tho  killing  ground,  where  thoy  are  quickly  dispatched 


the  work- 
ilieil  tlint 
avici's  ii<)t 

liido,  war 
hat  tbfiso 
ttliouse  at 


I'.SllAM. 


J2,  1S01. 
H  a  copy  of 
um<lii,  and 
iiieiit,  with 
on  tlit'iein 
1  as  to  tlie 
1  isanetl  on 

ndly  eanse 
captnro,  or 
ision  to  tho 


KENIIAM. 


14,  tS9L 

jdodpcpssor 

t  the  tak- 

;il  ]m>thu't 

n  the  case 

illcncy  that 

hiii}i:  <on- 

ntoruiutiou 


iKltALI.OS. 


nts  on  the 
ata,  at  tho 
n  I'rontii'r. 
nion  sin}ilo-. 
lour,  while 

,  siiltinj;  tho 
(luring  the 

hhi  of  hohl- 
niain  in  the 
))lioitnnity, 
lenct'  ot  tlio 
t  them,  :itnl 
^nce  snils.  a 
it  hy  which 
ilispatchoil 


KEPORT   OF    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


239 


hy  a  hhnv  villi  n  clnh.  'I'hi'  cstahlishinoiit  for  tho  C'astilhm  IslanilR  is  at  Pohmia,  on 
thti  niaiiiliind,  wlieiice  th*;  Healers  pidcei'tl  in  boats  when  they  Judge  tliat  there  is  a 
fiivourahle  opportunity. 

The  fiencral  opinion  seems  to  be  that  there  has  been  no  diniiiiution  in  tho  ntiniher 
of  the  seals,  at  any  rate  of  reeent  years.  In  187(i  a  Decree  was  issutMl  cHtablishin^i:  a 
close  season  from  the  Kith  Oetober  to  the  Slst  May,  and  this  Law  is  strictly  enforced. 
A  I'opy  in  translation  is  annexed. 

As  has  been  seen  above,  there  is  no  pela.!j;ic  seal-tishing  off  the  coast  of  Uruguay. 

The  ligures  of  tho  export  of  seal-skitis  and  nutria  skins  (the  latter  is  a  large  fiesh- 
water  rat,  Miiojiolainiis  Coypus,  inhabiting  the  rivers)  for  the  last  six  years  preceding 
IM'Jl  are  as  follows: 

1885 25,885 

1886 24,191 

1887 42, 348 

1888 22,542 

188!) 30,211 

1890 .S8,  4G2 

Although  there  is  thus  considerable  variation  in  the  yield  of  the  fisheries,  there 
does  not  ajjpcar  to  be  any  ground  for  supjiosing  a  constant  diiuiiiiition. 

The  female  fur-seal  produces  one  at  a  birth,  the  male  jmps  being  tho  more  numer- 
ous. The  pupping  season  begins  in  November.  Tho  mothers  are  very  careful  of 
their  young.  When  the  latter  art*  about  a  fortnight  old  the  mothers  take  them  down 
to  the  water  and  teach  them  to  swim.  They  suckle  their  young  for  nearly  a  yeai'. 
The  seals  never  entirely  abandon  the  Islands,  but  go  to  and  fro  their  lishing  banks, 
which  are  not  far  olf. 

Tho  mating  season  is  in  December  and  .Tanuary.  During  this  time  the  males  often 
fight  savagely  for  possessi(ui  of  the  females,  and  numliers  may  be  seen  lying  on  the 
islands  or  shore  of  tho  mainland  helpless  from  their  wounds. 

The  tisheries  in  Urugnny  are  leased  to  a  private  Company,  of  which  Don  (jluillermo 
Lalone  is  Manai>'ing  Director. 


DKlJHKli;    K.STAnMSIHN'(}   A   Cf.OSK   8KASON. 


['rrMiishilicii. 


The  Oovernment  being  unable  to  remain  indilferi'Ut  to  the  dennnciations  of  tho 
]ieri()(lical  ])iess  with  reference  to  the  abuses  committed  in  ''ex]>Ioiting"  the  amphil:- 
ious  animals  that  jtopulate  tho  Islands  of  Lohos,  Ki-pinillo,  and  I'olonia,  and  the  regu- 
lation of  this  industry,  implying  not  only  an  a<lvantago  for  the  Company  which 
l)ursues  it,  as  w«'ll  as  a  duty  api)ertaining  to  the  public  Administration  charged 
with  tho  ineservation  and  development  of  those  factors  of  the  luitioual  wealth,  tho 
I'rovisional  (iovernor  in  Council  decrees: 

Article  1.  Tho  slaughter  of  seals  on  the  above-mentioned  islands  shall  commence 
on  the  Ist  day  of  .hine,  iind  terminate  on  the  15th  day  of  October  in  each  year. 

Art.  2.  The  Civil  Administrator  of  tlu^  Department  of  Mahloiiiido  is  charged  with 
the  execution  of  tho  present  Decree,  and  he  will  take  the  necessary  measures  for  its 
due  execution. 

Art.  3.  Let  this  bo  communicated,  published,  and  deposited  in  the  public  aicliiv  (  s. 

^.Signed)  LAioititK. 

(Countersigned)        ,]v,\y  A.  Vasqukz. 

Mo.NTK  V^iDKO,  May  13,  IS7-I. 


170 


Appendix  (C). 


VaHKUS     LF.TTKRS    and    COMIMIXICATIONS     liK.I-A  II NC.     TO   TItK     Ft'Ii-Sl'.AIS   OF  TllK 

Hkitisii  Coi-umuian  and  NEUiiinoi'HiMi  Coasts. 
Questions  addrtssed  to  District  Indian  Agents  on  the  Coast  of  liritish  Columbia. 

[Thoso  questidliH,  pnimnMl  by  Dr.  I>ii\vhi)Ii.  werr  kindly  forwiirilcil  liy  Mr.  A.AV.  Vowill,  Sii|prrin(«>iid- 
eiit  (if  Iiuliiiii  AH'aiiR  in  lirilisji  (^cplimilila,  to  llm  tliiio  Coast  Ami'icics,  in  tlio  Hiiiniiur  of  IS!il.| 

1.  Are  fur  sea!;*  found  or  hunttul  by  Indians  in  any  jtart  of  your  district?  If  so,  at 
what  seasons  are  they  found  in  greatest  numliers,  antl  about  what  diites  are  they 
lirst  and  last  seen  eacli  ycarf 

2.  Are  fur-seiils  known  to  give  birth  to  their  young  on  or  about  any  part  of  the 
coast  in  your  district^  and,  if  so,  at  what  places  and  iu  what  seasonsf 


240 


REPORT    OF    HRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


If  yoiiiijj  jtiips  arc  oliscrvcil,  ])l(>i)so  stnte  wlietlior  tlm  IiHlians  know  their  mndo  of 
liirtli,  i.  ('.,  whetlitT  horn  mi  slictro  or  ivt  sen. 

3.  Do  any  of  the  IinliiiiiH  in  your  (li.stiict  kiictw  of  hrerding  places  formerly  resorted 
to  hy  the  fur-seal,  or  do  they  reiiieiiilxT  to  have  heard  that  such  hrecdinj;  places  forni- 
erlv  (existed? 

I.  Have  the  fur-seals  been  more  or  less  alinudaut  ou  the  coast  within  the  past  few 
years  f 


Iiiforniidion  rvcvivrd  in  rephi  to  Iheforaioinn  (,>nfi>tionn, 

Wksi   ("oast  Indian  i\i,i:sc\,  Xniiahno,  Jiil;/  .10,  if!!)/. 

Silt:  In  answer  to  Circular  of  the  2(lth  July,  received  from  India  ODice,  I  have  the 
hiinour  to  state  tiiat  fur-seals  are  hunted  hy  tht;  huliaiis  on  tiie  west  coast,  and  are 
found  in  {j''«'''it  numbers  in  I'eliruary.  Art^  lirst  seen  in  December  and  last  in  Ai>ril — 
that  is  close  in  shore.  After  that  tli(\v  bcKiti  to  travel  alonj;  the  coast  of  Vancouver 
Island  and  Queen  Charlotte  Islands  towards  Kcdiring  Sea.  Fur-seals  are  not  known 
to  K've  birth  to  their  youuf^  on  any  jiart  of  tiie  coast  in  my  Aneucy.  All  Indian 
scahu's  inform  me  that  seals  are  born  on  shore  (from  their  experience  in  Behrinf;  Sea, 
where  nuiny  females  an)  killed),  and  that  the  motiu^rs  leav<i  the  young  on  shorc!  in 
daytim(>,  goin^;  some  miles  out  to  sea  in  search  of  food,  returnin<;  at  ni<rht.  Indians 
in  uiy  district  do  not  know  of  any  bieediiifj  jilaces  fornusrly  resorted  to  by  the  fur- 
seal,  nor  do  they  remember  to  have  heard  of  suc^b  places. 

With  n'frard  to  the  last  (piery,  I  should  say  that  the  fur  seal  have  been  less  abun- 
dant ou  the  co:ist  the  l:»st  few  years,  as  the  schooner  coast  catch  has  been  less  than 
fornusriy.  I'rom  the  Harday  Sound  Indians  report  tht;  seals  have  bt^en  unusually 
abundant  this  ami  last  season,  but  were  scarce  for  three  seasons  before.  The  reason 
t>iven  to  nui  liy  one  of  the  best  Iiulian  sealci's  in  Ibirday  Sound  for  the  number  of 
seals  in  the  mouth  of  the  Sounil  this  year  was  that  the  hunters  on  the  schooners 
who  seal  farther  Irom  shore  than  the  Indi.-ins  shoot  at  thi'  seals  so  much  that  it 
frijjhtens  them  in  shore,  of  which  the  Indians,  who  use  only  spears,  take  advantaj^e, 
and  ;>;et  the  skins  they  want  without  fri^iliteniujj;  them  away;  also  the  seals  follow 
tile  herrinij;s  for  food.  Some  l,:-$()0  skins  were  taken  to  N'ictoria  this  sprinj;  at  one 
times|ieared  by  Indians  in  or  near  the  month  of  Harclay  Sonixl. 
I  have,,  iVc. 


(Signed) 
Dr.  Dawson, 

(Care  of  C.  Todd,  Esq.,  Metlakahtla.) 


IIAKIIY   GUII.I.OK,  AiJCUt. 


Kwaw  I\i;wi.tii  Indian-  AfiKNCv,  Aln-t  I'oii,  Aufiuft  t^,isni. 

Sii;:  I  have  the  honour  to  ibrward.  as  i('(]uested,  tie  iuformatiou  whi<'h  I  have 
cd)tained  from  the  Indians  at  tlm  north  end  M'  ^'aucouve^■s  Island,  viz..  the  Niiw  itti 
Indians  on  the  cast,  and  the  Kwatscno  Indians  on  the  west  side,  as  these  are  the 
only  two  tribes  in  my  Agency  who  hunt  the  fur-seal. 

'^lu^  lur-seal  is  found  in  greatest  numbers  about  the  last  week  in  December,  .lud 
continue  to  lie  seen  for  about  a  month  or  sis  weeks,  when  thej' decrease  in  numbers, 
ami  iire  only  occasionally  seen  after  that  time. 

The  Indians  liav(^  never  known  them  to  hav<^  young  iluring  the  time  they  are  in 
the  neighbourhood,  and  none  have  been  killed  younger  than  aliout  six  months  old. 

They  have  never  heard  of  any  lireediug  grounds  in  the  vicinity. 

They  say  that  during  the  last  two  years  tiie  fur-seals  have  not  been  nearly  so 
jilentifnl  as  in  former  years,  and  this  year  few  have  gone  out  to  hunt  them  on  that 
aet'oiiiit. 

The  Indian  name  here  for  the  fur-seal  is  "  ka-wha." 
I  have,  iVc. 

(Signed)  I\*.  ,1.  I'lm  ock,  luttimi  Aqent. 

Dr.  Dawso.n,  xUtllalcuhlhi. 


171  Noinii-WF.sT  CfiAST  AriKNCY, 

Mrthihulilla,  ll.C,  Siptcmher  4,  /S!)f. 

Silt:  In  rejdy  to  a  Circular  letter  from  the  Su)ieriiite!ident  of  Indian  .Affairs  .at  Vic- 
toria, dated  the  L'dth  .Inly.  IHltl.  re(|ni'sting  my  answers  to  certain  iiuestions  concern- 
ing the  habits  and  haunts  of  the  fur-seal  in  Hritish  Columbia  waters,  after  full  and 
exhaustive  in(|uiries,  I  have  tlie  honour  to  subjoin  the  following: 

1.  Ves;  th(\v  are  hunted  and  killed  liy  Indians  all  iilong  tlic  north-west  coast  and 
Queen  Charlotte's  Islands,  their  route  whilst  travelling  south  being  near  the  coast- 
line <ast  of  Queen  Charlotte's  Islands,  and  returning  to  the  northward  mostly  on  tUt) 
west  side  of  said  islands. 


iiiodo  of 

resorted 
•(>H  forni- 

past  tow 


have  the 
,  and  iire 
II  April— 
aiicouver 
)t  known 
U  Iniliiin 
irinK  Sea, 
I  shortt  in 
Intliane) 
y  the  fiir- 

lessalinn- 
,  less  than 
nnnsually 
'he  reason 
nnnilier  of 
schooners 
eh  that  it 
d  vantage, 
•als  I'ollow 
ng  at  one 


),  AijenU 


w,  isnr. 

eh   1  have 
Niiwitti 
se  are  tlio 

nhcr,  and 
niinitters, 

ley  are  in 
tiis  old. 

nearly  so 
em  ou  that 


1/1  Afjent. 


■  4,  I  SOU 
iuraat  Vic- 
IS  eoneern- 
cr  full  and 

coast  and 

I  he  coast- 

stly  on  thq 


REPOWT    OF    nRITISII    COMMISSIONKHS. 


'211 


T1n\v  first  appear  jj;<>in;;  soutii  a  1  tout  tlio  niiddh'  of  nerenihcr,  and  disippcar  ;;i'iiiy; 
norlli  ahiMit  the  end  of  May  in  each  yeai'. 

Tiie  I'nr-seals  are  most  nnnierons  (lurin<^  tlie  monllis  of  ,lannar\',  l''(d>riiarv,  rind 
Marcli. 

L'.  No;  oci'asionally  a  last  year's  jinp  is  fonnd,  and  dnrinj;  Ai)ril  and  May  many 
I'eniale  seals  !ia\e  liccn  l\illcd  witli  yonn;;  so  near  hiith  that  tiicy  iiavc  licen  taivcik 
from  the  old  seals  and  have  lived,  can  swim  ahoiit,  and  have  hecn  raised  liy  Indians, 

'I'lie  Indians  all  state  tinit  tin;  mother  seals  go  tar  north  to  ^ive  liirtli  to  their 
yonnj;;  that  seals  are  horn  on  slmn^  faraway. 

',\.   No  such  plac<;s  known  to  the  Indians  of  this  district. 

■I.  Indian  tradition  makes  t'nr-seal  very  nnmeroiis  loiif;  ajfo,  '»nt  the  present  goiiera- 
tion  of  Iinlian  hunters  tliink  thattliey  have  hcen  the  sann-as  now  for  at  least  twenty 
years. 

Dnrini;'  last  spring  (the  Intlians  think)  the  seals  wore  as  nnmerons  as  ever,  hut  f(^w 
were  caught  owing  to  continued  rough  water. 

1  inclose  a  letter  from  West  Iluson,  Ks((.,  a  man  well  aei|uainted  with  the  jtella 
Mella  Indians  and  their  hunting  work,  whicli  disproves  tin;  statements  originating  at 
liclla  lielia  that  the  fur  seal  bring  I'urth  their  young  amongst  the  kelp  heds  in  (^ueeu 
Charlollc's  Sound. 

I  ha\(',  iVc.  (Signed)  ('.  T(>l)i>, 

fiidian  Aijdit,  yorth-iveat  Voaxt  .tydivi/. 

Dr.  Daw.sox. 


f.vlttr  from  Mr.  .1.   If.  Iluson,  incloanl  hii  Mr.  ('.  Todd, 

Hki.i.a  Hki.i.a,  n.V.,  Auiiimt  17,  isni. 

HiCAli  Sii! ;  As  ])er  rcciuest  I  have  made  several  in(|uiries  at  China  Mat  and  at  this 
]d:ice  regarding  breeding  places  of  the  fur-seal,  but  lind  tliat  none  of  the  native.s 
l<now  (d'  any  breeding  rookeries  of  the  fur-seal  in  this  part  of  I'ritish  ('<dund>ia. 
Some  say  the  seals  have  their  young  otf  shore  in  kelp  patches,  then  others  s;iy  they 
bring  forth  their  j)ups  (Ui  the  outlying  rocks  along  those  shores,  but  m)ne  (d'  tho 
natives  ever  saw  their  pupping  places;  most  o£  thoni  say  the  inolber  seal  goes  a  long 
way  olf  to  i)Ui). 

Mr.  Clayton  says  he  is  positive  that  the  fur-seal  do  not  bring  forth  their  pups  on 
this  ]>art  of  the  coa'-t. 

h'espectfullv     ours, 

(Signed)  A.  W.  Ih.soN. 

.).  'I'ODD,  Ksi]. 


KvlracI  from  I. til vr  from  Mr.  A.  \V,  IIiihoii,  dottd  I'irtoria,  U,  C,  Oclvhcr  lH,  ISOt,  and 

addrinsvd  io  Dr.  <!.  M.  Howxtni. 

Tho  fur-seal  come  into  Queen  Charlotte  Sonntl  early  in  December,  ami  are  mostly 
all  Icmales  in  pu]).  A  little  later  on  the  grey  pups  make  their  iti>pe.iiam'c  close  in 
shore  if  tlie  weather  is  bad,  so  th.'it  the  natives  kill  many  of  them  in  sight  id'  their 
villages,  and  on  one  occasion,  sonm  twenty  years  ago,  a  great  swarm  ot  grey  ]Mips 
ascended  to  the  very  head  of  Knight's  Inlet  so  thick  that  I  knew  of  one  native  kill- 
ing sixty  in  one  day.  However,  this  was  an  exception,  it  was  in  the  nnuith  of  .March, 
and  the  young  seal  seenmd  to  be  falling  in  and  feeding  on  the  nliirluiH  that  always 
asc(^nd  Knight's  and  Kingconut  Inlets. 

Nearly  every  winter  fur-seals,  both  old  and  young,  aie  to  be  seen  in  about  tho 
waters  of  Queen  Charlotte  Sound,  condng  in  in  Decemlier  and  leaving  again  about 
A])ril. 

file  nnnd>cr  usmilly  killed  by  the  natives  do|)en<ls  on  the  weather. 

I  have  traded  in  as  high  as  tiOO  skins  from  the  inilivcs  of  Nawitti  in  oiu'  year. 

There  arts  no  rookeries  about  the  north  end  of  Nancouver  Island  that  I  kiw>w  of. 

The  natives  say  the  females  go  olf  into  the  kelp  patches  to  bring  forth  their  young. 


ExtrariK  from  Letters  to  Dr.  (I.  M.  Dawnoii  from  .)fr,  ,f,  W.  Mdckoy. 

I'ndei'  date  of  the  13th  .Xovendxir,  1801,  Mr.  Miickay  writes  as  follows: 

"Tlie  old  Indian  hunters  of  the  Scnigci'S.  Sooke,  and  Clal.in  bands  oll(>ii  informed 

me  that  in  their  younger  days  fur-seals  and  sea-otter  were  in  tim  habit  of  l.iiidiiig  in 

great  numbers  at  the  Ivuci^  K'ocks,  II  milt^s  IVoiii  \'ictoria;   they  also  fi'ci|uented  tho 

(iulf  td'  (ieorgia.     I  have  bought  fur-seal  skins  from  the  Seshahls  who  inhabit  the 

B  S,  TT  VI Hi 


i 


M 


It 


242 


RKPOKT    OP    BRITISH    COMMISSIONKRS. 


.I;irvi.s  Inlet,  (al<rii  IVdiii  aniiiialH  killed  at  Siiiif^stei's  Isliiml,  near  Texada.  Tlieso 
aniiiial.s  were  driven  \o  tlie  oeean  IVnni  tlie  narrow  waters  liy  heini;  limited  willi  llio 
UNO  of  llre-ariMs;  durin;;  tlio  .sjiriiiK'  niiiiiherH  ot'  tlio  youii^  atiiiiials  HhIi  in  the  lirokeii 
waters  liisido  nl'  tlie  outlying;  liall'-ti(l<)  rocks  aii<l  reelM  wliieli  I'linjio  the  westeiii 
HlioreH  of  \'aiie(iiiver  Island  an<l  of  the  other  islands  which  lie  west  of  the  main- 
land from  (^iieen  (Jharlotte  Sound  to  I)ixon's  Kntrance.  Tlio  older  imimals 
172  remain  further  at  .sea,  lint  nnmliers  of  them  take  shelter  in  the  larger  Honnds 
diirin;;  stormy  weather.  I  liav*;  seen  them  olf  Metl.'ikahthi  in  the  month  of 
.lannary.  They  wen*  lirst  Nyslematieally  hunted  liy  the  Whites  about  \Si\{\.  The 
Indians  took  to  hnntini;'  them  some  two  or  three  years  later;  before  that  period  they 
merely  killed  them  wIm'ii  they  haiijiened  incidentally  to  eonio  in  their  way,  as  they 
did  with  most  other  wild  animals;  n]i  to  that  |>uriod  the  beaver,  marteji.  mink,  lind- 
(dtor  and  sea  otter  were  the  only  animals  which  the  Indians  systeniatieally  hn  ited 
lor  their  skins. 

"The  Indians  above  quoted  stat<;d  that  the  fur-seal  bred  on  the  Race  Rocks,  on 
Smith's  Island  (Wiisli.),  and  on  several  islands  in  the  (Jnlf  (»f  (Jeorjijia.  They  ii,'<ed 
to  have  their  yoiinj;  to  within  a  recent  jieriod  on  the  Haystack  Island,  off  Cape  Scott, 
Vancouver  Island.  It  is  jirobalile  that  a  few  iiulividiials  still  breed  there,  these 
islands  bcinji  very  inaccessible  to  small  craft,  on  account  of  the  strong  tides  and 
cross  currents  which  jirevail  in  that  neij;hboiirhood." 

A  further  intpiiry  addressed  to  Mr.  ,J.  \V.  Mackay  on  the  subject  of  the  former 
brecdini;of  fiir-seals  on  Haystack  Island,  elicited  (nniler  date  the  7th  .(anuary,  lS!t2) 
the  subjoined  additional  particulars  on  this  and  other  points  pnivioiisly  referred  to. 

"  l>espe<'tihff  your  (piery  of  the  1st  instant,  1  got  my  iiifiu'iiiation  from  the  late  Cap- 
tain Hufili  M.'ickay,  of  the  schooner  'Favourite.'  .Mackay  was  the  lirst  jiiM'son  to 
jiractise  the  taking  of  the  fur-seal  in  the  open  oeean,  and  using  a  stMiwortliy  vessel 
as  the  starting  ]ioint  and  for  shelter.  The  idea  was  suggested  to  him  by  the  Indian 
hunters,  who  represented  to  him  the  dilliculties  and  ilaiigers  of  following  the  seals 
i'ar  from  land  in  open  canoes,  and  asked  him  to  take  them  out  in  his  schooner.  He 
acceded  to  their  demands,  and  success  followed  the  ojieration,  Mackay  died  about 
twtdve  years  ago.  He  was  an  intelligent  Scotchman  from  Sutherlandshire,  a  cooper 
by  trade;  he  collected  much  trustworthy  information  during  the  twenty  years  in 
which  he  was  ocu'ujiii^d  trading  on  the  west  coast  of  A'aucouver  Island.  I  believe  his 
statement  resjuM'ting  the  fur-seal  on  Haystack  Island,  as  it  agrees  with  the  accounts 
which  I  got  in  early  days  respecting  individual  fur-seals  having  their  young  in  the 
)iufre<iuented  jiarts  of  the  coasts  of  \'ancouver  Island.  Mr.  Huson  is  probably  cor- 
rect as  regards  the  landing  of  sea-lions  on  the  Scott  Islands.  In  former  tinuss  these 
animals  extended  their  peregrinations  all  round  Vancouver  Island.  I  was  one  nigh!, 
kept  awake  for  hours  by  the  roaring  of  tin  male  animals  on  Smith  Island,  olf  the 
south  entrance  to  l\osari4>  Strait.  The  sea-lions  would  not  interfere  with  the  nnive- 
meuts  of  the  fur-seals,  and  both  varieties  might  herd  together.' 

From  a  further  corresi>ondcnce  rcs]icctiug  the  date  at  whi(  h  Captain  Hugh  Mackay 
tii'ht  .•ittempted  sealing  at  sea  the  following  are  extracts: 

JaiiiKirji  ::0,  ISO'.'. — "  The  date  of  Hugh  ^Mackiiy's  beginning  tti  take  the  fur-seal  at 
sea  may  be  arrived  at  a]iproxiniately  by  an  (.'xaminatiou  of  the  Customs  Records  ,at 
the  port  of  X'ictoria,  Hritish  ('olumliia.  Mackay  owiii'd  the  sloop  'Ino;'  with  her  he 
traded  oil  and  furs  from  the  Indians  of  tin*  west<'oast  of  Vancouver  Island.  Heniade 
his  tirst  experiment  on  th(>  fur-seal  at  sea  with  the  '  Ino; '  lindiiig  this  vessel  too  small 
to  carry  two  or  three  canoes  on  deck,  he  built  the  schooner  '  favourite,'  of  7.5  tons 
burthen.  The  '  Favourite'  was  registered  at  the  jiort  of  N'ictoria.  The  date  of  her 
register  will  Ix!  about  eighteen  months  subsequent  to  the  '  Ino's '  first  fur-sealing 
erui/e.  I  shall  write  to  Nlr.  Milne,  the  Customs  ('ollector  at  the  port  of  Victori.a,  to 
give  me  the  date  of  the  '  Favourite's'  tirst  register,  an<l  shall  communicate  results 
to  you." 

Jaiiiiarji  St,  ISO.'!. — "  I  am  informed  that  the  schooner  '  Favourite'  was  launched  at 
Sooke,  British  Columbia,  on  the  28th  April,  IStJS.  She  was  registered  in  Victoria  on 
the  ISth  ■(line,  iJ^tiS.  llngli  Mackay  was  registered  owner  and  nuister;  on  this  data 
we  may  conclude  that  llunirst  attempt  at  taking  the  fur-seal  at  sea  was  m;ide  by 
Hugh  Mackay  in  the  sjiring  of  ISliti,  say,  Feliruary  18t)t!.  The  above  information  is 
from  the  Collector  of  Customs  at  the  port  of  Victoria,  British  Cohunbia." 


ICxtraclsfrom  Lefttrs  from  Jitdoe  James  G.  Siraii,  of  Port  Townxend,  State  of  Washington, 

addressed  to  Dr.  G.  M.  Iiawsmi. 


Under  date  of  the  tth  November,  1801,  Juilgo  Swan  writes: 

"  Your  letter  of  the  28tli  October  was  received  this  morning.  I  jiroinised  you,  when 
we  met  in  Victoria,  to  send  you  certain  information  relative  to  the  seal  catch  at  Capo 
Flattery,  and  particularly  regarding  tlit\  date  when  schooners  lirst  took  out  Indians 
with  their  canoes  on  the  sealing  grounds.     Hut  there  has  been  no  oflicial  record,  and 


I.       'I'llfSO 

witli  llio 
10  Id'okcii 
■  wentrni 
lu;  iiiaiii- 
r  iiuiiiiiili^ 
!r  soiiiulu 

inoiitii  <»r 

S5(i.  'V\w 
aiod  tlui.v 
y,  as  they 
ink,  1  ni<i- 
ly  lui  ited 

Kocks,  on 
I'hcy  iisfd 
ii|»o  Scott, 
ci'f,  these 
titles  and 

he  Ibrnier 
nary,  lH<t2) 
clVncd  to. 
0  latoCap- 
pcrsoM  to 
i-thy  vessel 
the  Indian 
f^  tlio  seals 
;)onei.     Ho 
died  aliont 
■e,  a-  cooi>ei' 
ty  years  in 
"believe  his 
ic  aeeonuts 
Miuii  in  the 
[)l)al»l,v  eor- 
tinies  these 
s  one  ni.uli!. 
nd,  otl'  the 
the  niove- 

[gh  Maekay 

fur-seal  at 

lUecordB  at 

Iwith  her  ho 

He  made 

|cl  too  small 

of  75  tons 

date  of  her 

fur-sea  11  Ufi 

ictoria,  to 

!ate  results 

lannehed  at 
(Victoria  on 
In  this  data 
las  made  by 
lirmatiou  is 


fVaahiniiton, 


yoii,  when 
Itch  at  (!ape 
l>ut  Indians 
Irccord,  and 


REPORT   OK    URITISH   COMMlSSloNKUS. 


243 


I  have  had  to  rely  ujion  the  ri'collection  of  individuals,  which  has  proved  very  unsat- 
isfactory. 'I'u-day  1  received  a  note  (rom  Oaplain  K.  H.  McAlmond,  of  New  l>un- 
geness,  \V;ishinj;ton,  in  re|)|y  to  a  letter  iVoni  me.  Capliiii  McAlmond  writes,  1st 
Noveiiilier,  18!M  ;  '  TIk"  I'nst  schooner  to  take  Indians  th;i I  I  know  of  was  the  schooner 
'l.oWie'  in  IK(>!t  I'rtun  Neah  May;  helievinjj  that  we  wire  th 
understood  that  a  vessel  trom  N'Ictoria  was  also  takin 

"On  tlie  L'Mih  Octolii'r  lasM  received  from  Mr.  ell 
dated  the  L'Tlli,  in  wliicli  he  writes:  •  The  lirst  atl<'Uipt  at  sc:iiini;.  in  a  practical  w  ay, 
with  schooners  and  Indian  hunters  was  made  in  oi'  aliout  IStii)  Ity  .lanu-s  (  iirist  ieiison 
in  the  scluxmer  "  Surprise,"  owned  by  the  late  Ciijitain  William  Si)rini;,  of  Victoria, 
iiritish  Columbia.'  ibis  is  evidently  the  \fssel  referred  to  liy  (  aptain  McAlmond. 
No  ri'cord  of  catch  has  been  kei)t  by  any  oiu'  that  1  have  ascertaiui'd,  .-lud  the  lecul- 

leetion  of  individuals  is  very  iii rtain.     l''or  instaiu'c,  (  aptain  .lames  l)alL:ardno, 

for  many  years  a  I'uitet  .Sound  jiilot  stationed  at  Neah  Hay,  was  (|uile  certain  that 
schooner  '  1 'otter.'  ot  I'ort  Townstuid,  took  Indians  with  canoes  to  the  sealing  urounds 
in  ISbl.  Ibit  Captain  McAlmond,  who  was  at  Neah  Hay  thi^  same  time,  wri'cs  in  t  lie 
letter  received  IVomlimi  to-day:  '  (Japtain  Norwood,  in  the  •' I'ot  ter,"  to(d{  Indians 

to  |>iloI  iiiiii  |(      lie  halibut  bank.' 
ll'.i  "The  oiil\  (iiiicial  account  of  the  seal  catch  at  Capo  Flattery  that  has  omt 

been  kept  is  the  one  I  had  chaii^o  of  for  tln^  tenth  census  ol'  the  United  States 
nmler  instructions  from  rrol'cssor  Spencer  F.  Haird,  to  make  a  full  Report  on  the 
tisheries  of  Ca|>(>  Flalterv.  including  fur-seals.      Ibis  Report,  in   full,  may  be  found 
in   'Tli(^  I'isberics  and   I'ishini,'  Industries  ol   tin!  rnifed  Stati's,'  seclicui  5,  V(d.   ii 
This  is  the  most  completo  and  relialde  Rej^irt  ever  i>uhlislied  of  the  .Neah  Ray  lishei 
ies.  and  was  C  ■'     '  ' ■....:..-  ^i ^: -    -»•  i-^,,  ...i.ii..  i  :..  n.;.  ..,■,■...:.. 


pioneers,  I  afterwards 
ii  an  Indian  cr«*w.' 
ib^s  .Spiinj;,  ol'  \' ictoria.  a  letter. 


lan,  a  no  nis  siaiemeui  oi  scai  siaiisiics  iiii*  mosi  correci  inai  i  nave  Known,     i  i 
endeavoured  to  obtain  statistics  from  jiarties  at  Neah  Hay',  but  without  success 

"The  whole  of  the  seal  catch  by  the  Indians  (d'  Capo  Flattery  has  been  sold  in  \'ic- 
tmia,  and  I  think,  classed  with  other  sl;ins  piocured  from  the  west  coast  Iinlians. 
I  would  have  siipposetl  that  tin;  Indian  Department  at  NVashiiiuton,  ever  miinlful  of 
the  jiood  etl'i'ct  on  members  (»f  Coimiess  it  is  to  make  a  j^ood  showin;.;  of  Indian 
iudnstrles,  would  have  n>triicted  the  Indian  Ajieiits  to  ha vt!  kept  a  record  similar 
to  miim,  HO  that  they  could  show  to  Cointress  that  tin*  .Makah  Iinlians  of  Cape  Flat- 
tery arc  a  selfsupiiortinji'  i)t!ople.  Had  siicii  a  record  i)een  kept,  its  value  at  this 
time  would  have  been  appreciated,  but  it  seems  to  hav(;  lieen  tlu^  policy  of  the  author- 
ities at  Washinjiton  to  ij{nore  all  know!,  dire  of  seal  industries  c-xciipt  thosi-  of  the 
I'ribylolf  Islands;  Iioikjc  the  impossibihl y  at  the  present  time  (»f  roacliini.;  any  reliable 
results." 

Iiider  date  of  the  lOtli  .January,  1><!)2,  .(ndj^e  Swan  writes: 

"  Vour  kind  letter  of  th(^  L'L'nd  December  was  received  on  the  ."Ust.  Sinc<'  then  [ 
have  been  endeavourinn  to  olttain  past  statistics  of  the,  seal  business  at  ('ape  Flat- 
tery, but  without  success.  I  have,  liowever,  arranj;-ed  with  an  iiiteliinent  half-breed 
Makah  In "  '      '         '  ...  .     . 


lery,  oui  wiiiioui  .success,  i  ii:i\  e,  now  t;ver,  iiri.in;iiMi  u  ii  u  :in  iiuei  iijieni  naii-ore(  ii 
Makah  Indian,  who  has  the  auein  y  storti  and  tra<liiin  jiost  at  Neah  Hay,  to  keep  an 
accurato  account  of  the  cat(di  duiiiii;  the  jnesent  season. 

"  Vestenlay  a  number  of  M.-ikah  Indians  came  to  my  otVne,  ami  I  had  a  lon<;  inter- 
view with  them.  They  told  me  that  the\  had  come  to  lit  out  their  s(dn)oners  '  Rot- 
tie'  and  '.James  (!.  Swan'  for  scaling;'.  These  schooners  are  in  winter  ([narters  in 
Scow  Hay,  oi)posite  tin*  city.  I'liosti  Indians  say  that  seals  are  unusually  plentiful 
at  t;ap(;  Flattery  and  Harclay  Sound,  and  if  tho  weather  is  ;{ood  they  hope  to  make 
a  larjfe  catch." 

*  of  the  6th  F(»bruary,  18S1L',  .Judge  Swan  writers: 

iiiU  several  Makah  Indians  who  have  been  here,  and  they  tell  me  that 
very  few  sells,  whether  they  spear  or  shout  them,  as  they  are  always  so 
I  at  such  times  that  tiiey  can  reco\  »-r  them  liel'ore  they  sink. 


I'uderdatt*  of  the  6th  Fc^bruary,  18S1L',  .Judge  Swan  writers: 

"  I  have  seen  several  Makah   Indians  who  have  been  hen 

Indians  lose  \"     '   '' '        '    *'-•'' i      .  ..i    . 

near  tlie  seal  . 

"Captain  I, a  vender,  formiirly  of  schooner  '  <  iscir  and  I  latt  ic,'  who  is  a  tine  shot, 
t(dd  me  that  he  secured  ninety-live  steals  out  of  every  hundr«;d  that  he  shot.  He  said 
that  |)oor  hunters,  of  which  he  had  several  on  his  vessid.  would  lire  away  ade.il  of 
aiiimiinition  and  not  hit  anything,  but  would  lie  sun;  to  report  on  their  return  to  the 
vessel  (hat  llie.\'  killed  .a  seal  eacli  time  they  tin d,  but  that  all  tlu;  seals  sank  exi  ept 
the  t\' w  which  they  broughi  on  board.  Captain  Lavender  was  of  opiuiou  that  not 
over  7  per  cent,  of  seals  killed  were  lost." 


)iU 


KKPOliT    OF    lUUTISlI    C;OMMISSIONF,F{S. 


.hiilijc  .Siviin  III  lh\  a.  M.  IhiWHoii, 

SIAIK,  (>!•    \V.\siilN(iT()N,  Deremher  /.7,  f,99/. 

I)|',Ai!  Siii:   F   liiivo  just  vt ivcd   rioiii   Nrali    I'.i.v  tlir  follow  iii(i  iimiiu-h  of  vt-NHcls 

('ii;;a;;<-(l  in  Healing  t'loiii  Neiili  lliiy   in  l)<!Hl  aii<l  hS'Jl,  witli  llie  niinibur  ul  Nial-skins 
taki'ii  l>v  fafli  vf."i8ul. 

18'JO. 
SclmimiT —  Skins. 

Swan Il>(> 

Loltii- r_'0 

TcastT !.'")(» 

C. (J.  I'lrkins :{0 

aim 

18!M. 

Swan 1(10 

Lottie IW) 

V.C.  I'trUins I!M) 

TeasLT . .   lit;") 


l.Ol-T. 

Tin-  scliooiiiT  "TcaHor"  is  ownt'd  in  Scattli',  llio  ".Swan,"'  "  Lotiio,"  and  "(J.  C. 
I'rrklns"  aif  owned  i)y  Indiaim  at  Neaii  Jiay. 
Vonrs  truly, 

(Sij^uod)  Jamk.s  (i.  SwAX. 


174  Under  date  of  Mm  2St.h  Novenilur,  ISKl,  .Jiidjio  Swan  writos: 

"  Tliesanieletti'r  iiitbrnis  nic  that  schooner  '  Lottie,'  (.'aptain  I'eter  Thompson, 
wa8  tilt!  lirst  vesstsl  wlii(di  took  Indians  and  eanoen  from  Neah  Hay  to  hunt  seals. 
This  was  in  l?<()lt;  tho  '  hDttie  '  was  a  jiilot-hoat  at  that  time.     She  is  now  owned  by 

Captain  .lames  < 'la]>lanlioo,  a  full-l)l I  .Makah  Indian,  and  Head  Chief  of  tho  tribe. 

Last  spring  tiie  'Lottie'  went  to  Mehriiiji  Sea  and  did  very  well.  Captain  Clai)lan- 
lioo.  alter  payiiiji;  all  costs  (d'  tho  voyage,  had  7,0()()or  8,(M)()  dollars  loft.  Iledopositod 
.'ijlHK)  dollars  j;()ld  in  tho  Merchant  Hank  in  this  city.  Ho  will  buy  another  schooner 
and  try  ids  luck  a^ain  next  season. 

"  I  am  amused  with  readinf^  the  remarks  of  corrosiiondents  of  tho  eastern  pr(\s8 
al)out  seals.  They  only  know  what  they  have  seen  and  been  told  on  tho  rookeries, 
bntof  the  mi;;ratory  liabitsof  seals  they  know  notliiui;  and  care  less.  I  have  always 
contended,  !ind  still  hold  my  <>]iini(>n,  that  tho  seals  are  not  in  one  ffreat  band,  but  in 
countless  lierds,  like  Hocks  of  wihl  ;{eese  or  tho  bamls  of  bulfalo.  (ieeae  do  not  all  lly 
to  the  Arctic,  as  was  once  sui)posed,  nor  did  tho  liulValo  of  Texas  j;o  j-.orth  to  the 
Saskatchewan  in  the  summer,  or  tlm  herds  of  Winnipeg  visit  Texas  in  tl.o  winter. 

"All  the  bands  of  fur-seals  in  tlie  North  Pacific  do  not  no  to  the  I'ribyloff  Islands, 
ami  ilieici  are  thousands  whicli  do  not  visit  Helirinj;  Sea  at  all.  Hut  these  writers, 
who  assunn!  to  know  all  tho  facts,  never  dis(!iiss  this  iinestion,  Whore  do  tho  seals  go 
when  tlie.y  leave  Hehring  Sea? 

"  If  the  killing  of  fur-seals  is  jn'ohibited  on  the  I'tib^jloff  Fulavih  during  the  breed- 
ing season  there  will  bo  no  fear  of  I'xternnnation.  That  butchery  is  driving  oft'  the 
seals  more  than  the  so-called  i)oaching. 

"1  incli>s»(  an  article  from  the  'Seattle  I'ost  Intclliiicuccr '  of  the  Sth  on  fur-seals, 
written  by  myself.  It  was  puldisln'd  in  the  Sunday  issue,  ))ut  tho  demand  was  so 
great  that  «!very  copy  was  sold,  and  aiu>t her  edition  published  in  their  weekly  the 
following  'i'hnrsday.  The  eilitor  told  mo  that  it  has  been  extensively  copied  iu  the 
leading  journals  of  the  east." 


Exlnivt  from  the  "Seattle  Pout  IntclUdeticcr''  of  Xovcmhtr  ■'>,  ISOt, 

[Siii'ciiil  CorrespimtU'iiccI 

Pout  Townsknd,  Oclolxr  .Tf,  ISni. 
The  investigations  of  tho  United  States  and  Hritisli  Commissions  in  Hehring  .Soft 
during  the  jtrescnt  season  of  1H91  have  been  tin;  most  thorenighly  scientilic  ever 
nnide  by  either  (iovernmeiit.  liitlierto  all  the  sjiecial  agents  sent  by  the  I'nited 
States  (ioveiiMucnt  from  \N'asliiiigton  City  have  conlined  their  investigations  and 
rei>orts  to  the  seals  of  tho  i'ribylolf  Lslands,  deiived  partly  by  their  own  observa- 
tions, but  mostly  from  the  interested  statements  of  ix'risous  residing  at  tho  rookeries 


wnt. 

v»'hh('1h 
ill-skins 


kins. 

IL'O 
L'.'ill 

:!0 
it;o 

|S(t 
l!M) 

1,02.-. 
SWAN'. 


lioinvson, 
unt  HCiils. 
owmul  by 

the  tiiltf. 
[\  Claplaii- 

dopoHitcd 
r  schooner 

tern  press 
rookt'rit'8, 
vc,  always 
111(1,  hut  iu 
not  all  lly 
ith  to  the 

winter, 
fl'  I  si  amis, 
io  writers, 

e  seals  go 

the  hreed- 
ng  oft"  the 

fur-seals, 
11(1  was  HO 

;eUly  the 
ied  iu  the 


?/,  isni. 

?hring  Sea 
ntilic  ev«>r 
he  I'nited 
ations  and 
n  observa- 
0  rookeries 


REi'OKT  OF  niirnsii  commissionkus. 


24; 


a 


on  those  islamls,  the  oniccrs  iiiiil  <'in|il<),vi'H  ol'  I  he  Alaska  Coiiuiicriial  roinpany.  ami 
till'  itrcHcnl  lessi  !'s  of  ihi'se  islands,  'i'liise  i('|iiii'ls  iire  llic  mils  ones  lliiit  Ilivc 
olili'.incd  ereilit  in  Washni'^lon  City.  All  adxcrse  i('|iiiits  of  snilers  or  iiartlcs 
en;;aged  in  the  fur  trade  outside  of  tln^  powcrliil  niciiio|iidies  liase  liecn  eillier 
i;;nc)red  or  set  aside  with  eontenipl.  Tin!  ('(Uitroversv  so  far  has  been  lielwecn 
oigani/ed  ('a])ital  seeking  to  S(!('ure  a  niiii)<>])<)ly  and  private  traders  and  li>lierinen, 
most  of  whom  are  men  (d' small  UM'ans  sei^king  !>>'  Ilndr  own  exertions  to  secure  a 
jinilit.  'J'hese  latter  have  m'V(-r  eonddiM'd  or  fornii'd  assitiialimis  lor  their  own  )>ro- 
t<><'ti<ni,  HO  as  to  hav(t  their  side  of  the  (|uestion  fairly  considered  and  diseuHscd  in 
Washinglon  ('ity.  lioth  ]iarties  have  been  stimulated  by  gre(!il,  and  not  !>y  a  desire 
for  s(!ientiH<'  investigation. 

\\'h(Mi  the  R(!|iort8  of  the  I'nited  States  and  Ifoyal  Coiinnissioners  are  iiuliIiNlied 
enough  new  facts  will  be  produced  to  make  a  nniterial  diU'cicMce  between  w  hat  has 
been  dogmatically  and  jiersistently  asserted  by  interesteil  write".i  in  the  employ  of 
the  Alaska  Conimer(;ial  Company,  and  tln^  real  state  of  the  cast,  enough  to  call  for 
a  modification  of  the  present  stringent  Sealing  Laws. 

It  is  persistently  asserted  by  the  lessees  of  the  I'riliylotV  I-lands  that  the  seals  are 
disappearing,  ami  that  they  are  being  externMiiat<(l  by  the  sealing  schooners,  whom 
ear(dess  writers  term  j)oacliers.  roachiiig  cannot  ImmUmm'  where  there  is  no  preserve, 
and  the  only  jirescrve  is  on  those  islamls  leased  by  tht!  I'nited  Stales  (iovernment 
to  the  Sealing  Companies.  Tht;  open  sea  is  n(d.  and  cannot  Ixt,  in  any  H(Mise  a  pre- 
s(!rve.  Hence  to  call  sealing-schooners  ]ioacliei's  is  an  evident  error  which  hIioiiIiI 
be  coriected.  These  vess(ds  are  not  jxiachtHs  on  the  I'aiilic  <  leean  any  more  than 
they  were  jtoachers  on  the  Atlantic  (tctiaii  befor((  they  came  annind  Cap(!  Horn. 

Th(!  full  sealing  lleet  list  to  tin;  ■_'()Mi  .Iniie,  lH!ll,amonnte(l  to  71t  vessels,  17  of  which 
are  under  the  Itritish  lla<;;  'M)  are  under  tin;  I'nited  States  llag.  All  are  of  North 
American  build,  'i'ho  liritish  vessels  mostly  eanu;  from  N(»va  Scotia;  a  few  were 
built  in  Mritish  Colnmbia,  and  the  rest  wvw  )iiirchase(l  from  citizens  of  the.l'nited 
States.  The  Ann'riean  ves8(d8  were  mostly  from  Massiielnisclts,  some  from  ^.\\\  l'"ian- 
eisco,  and  a  few  were  btiilt  on  I'uget  Sound.  Other  vess(d8  have  been  addctl  ^i  the 
tleet,  but  their  names  ami  toniuige  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain.  It  ,f-  i  hargtul 
by  the  lessees  of  the  islands  that  these  711  vessels  have  destroyed  s(»  many  seals,  and 
have  driven  so  numy  olf  the  islands,  that  they  arc  in  danger  id'  btiing  ext(;rnMnate(l, 
and  the  wailing  of  these  unfortunate  c;ti'italists  has  induced  ihe  (ioveruments  of  the 
I'nited  States  and  (Jreat  liritaiu  to  send  their  armed  erni/ers  to  lichring  Stsi  to  jiut 
a  srojt  to  the  killing  of  seals  by  private  enterprise,  so  that  the  lessees  of  the  islands 
may  Ix;  j.rotected  and  the  ])Oor  seals  kept  from  being  utterly  exteruunated.  Thesi; 
specious  assertions,  urged  with  elo(|ueut  sojddstry,  have  deluded  eai.tern  ]ieo]de,  aiid 
es|)eeially  those  at  Washington  City,  into  a  beli(!f  that  our  hard-working  lish(;rmcn 
and  hunters  n|ion  the  high  seas  iir<;  working  a  great  wrong  to  the  nionop(dists  and 
the  nation  at  large,  and  must  be  8U]>]>ressed  by  force. 

Now  let  US  see  who  is  really  working  an  injury  to  the  Pionoi)oli/ing  capitalists, 
ami  the  real  causes  why  the  intelligent  fur-seal  is  lea\  iiig  the  Icjised  rocd\eries  (ui  the 
I'ribyloti   Islands. 

A  writer  in  the  London  "Weekly  Times,"  of  the  12th  Scj.temhtir,  1X!M,  who 
175      was  in  15(diring  Sea  as  a  rejiorter  on  flu;  steamer  "Danube''  during  the  past 
snmnu^r,  says  of  the  decrease  of  the  seals  on  the  I'ribyloff  group: 

"Tlu!  caus(;  of  this  is,  no  doubt,  the  indiscriminate  slaught(!r  of  the.-it;  animals  on 
the  islands  by  the  Alaska  Ctniinieicial  Coiii]>any  and  the  prcs(^nt  Company's  servants, 
whiidi  has  driven  the  seals  to  otlitM'  parts  of  tins  sea  for  breeding,  and  already,  the 
Jiresent  season,  considerable  numbers  have  nnide  tlitdr  ai>))earaiice  on  St.  Matthew's 
Island,  where  former'./  they  did  not  resort,  the  two  islands  St.  Paul  and  St.  George 
being  the  great  rookeries." 

The  seals  begin  to  make  fhtur  uj.ptia ranee  in  the  region  about  Ca]>e  I'lattcry  in  the 
laller  ]>art  of  December  or  tln^  first  <d'  January,  varying  with  dillerent  seipsons. 
When  easterly  winds  prevail  with  miudi  snow  they  keep  well  oil'  shore,  and  do  not 
riake  their  appearance  in  great  numbers  before  tin;  li.i.'.dle  of  February  or  the  first 
of  March.  J^ast  winter  was  very  mild,  with  but  little  snow,  but  tlu;  prevailing 
winds,  which  were  south  and  Hoiith-w(;st,  were  exceedingly  violent,  prev(!iitiiig 
sealing-sehooners  from  doing  much  hunting.  The  mildness  of  temix-rature,  how- 
ever, with  the  direction  of  the  prevailing  winds,  drove  the  seals  toward  (he  coast 
in  incredible  numbers.  They  gradually  work  iiji  the  coast  toward  (/iieen  Charlotte 
Island,  when  the  larger  portion  of  the  herds  move  along  the  Alaskan  coast  toward 
I'liimak  I'ass  and  other  western  oixsuings  into  Hchring  Sea.  A  jtortion  id' these 
seals,  however,  pass  into  Dixon's  Kntraiua;,  north  of  (^neen  Charlotte  Island,  .ind 
into  Cross  Somid  and  Co(dv's  Inlet,  and  do  not  go  to  IJehring  Sea,  biit  have  their 
young  on  i\w  innumerable  islands,  fiords,  iind  bays  in  So'.itlicrn  Alaska  and  Hiitisb 
Columbia.  These  seals  nn-  seen  in  these  waters  all  summer,  at  the  same  time  of  the 
breeding  ou  the  rookeries  of  tins  rribyloff  Islands,  and  are  killed  by  Indians  and 
tbti  skins  sold  to  dealers.     The  great  body  of  the  seals,  however,  do  enter  liehring 


life 


Sen,  where  tlu^y  fire  lollowod  l)y  (lie  seMliiij;  vessels.  'I'liey  iisiiiilly  tiike  to  tlio  islaiiils 
illxnit  till'  lirsl  of  ,)lliie,  the  hrc'eiliiii;  cowH  iniil  hulls  heiiij;  eirlief  tllMU  tlio  rest  <il' 
th('  herd.     'I'lic  hr Iiii<;  {^oes  on  nlioiit  four  inontiis. 

Tlie  writer  in  tho  Ijonilon  "  'j'inies"  hei'oro  allndod  to  k;i.\  s  of  tlie  method  iidopted 
on  the  isliiiids  Cor  takin^jf  the  H(!iils,  tiiiit-: 

"  It  is  eriud  and  iinsi)ortsininilike.  The  iiiiiiniils  have  no  ehane(*  f<tr  their  lives, 
l>ut  are  shuiiLjhtored  like  Hhe(!ji  in  the  shanildes.  A  ])ortion  of  the  herd  is  se,,;irated 
Ironi  the  ni.'iin  body  by  a  ])arty  of  nuMi  avnusd  with  elubs.  These  men — they  can 
liardly  bo  called  linntt^rs — liy  shouts  and  blows  drive  the  ]):irt  of  the  lierd  th(\v  have 
siirronn<le<l  away  into  the  interior  of  the  islands,  a  niilt!  or  so  from  the  heaeli. 
Here,  on  a  clear  spiice,  the  unfortunate  seals  are  atonee  elubl)ed  tod(^atli  and  skinned, 
the  carcaseH  lieiui^  lelt  as  they  lie.  'I'hese  slangliters  are  carried  on  until  the  nnuib(T 
of  skins  rc(]uircd  iire  secured.  Latterly  the  ."cals  seem  to  liav(!  an  instini't  that 
there  is  soniethinn'  wronjj;,  ;is  the  siinails  driven  into  the  sand-hills  never  return, 
only  the  stench  from  tlie  8lauy;hter  cominj;  down  to  the  biacdi  when  the  limd  bree/.ti 
lnuws.  In  consc(|nenc('  of  this  the  rookeries  have  been  less  fri'i|uonted  thiiu  in 
former  years,  'i'liis  has  given  rise  to  the  assertion  of  the  nionopoli/ing  Compiiny 
that  the  takinj;;  of  seal  by  the  jirivate  vessels  i,s  cansino-  a.  depletion  of  the  seals  on 
the  brecdintj  islands. 

"When  the  methods  ado]ited  by  the  hunters  of  the  sealing- vessels  nrc  comjjared 
with  those  .;f  ib(i  licensed  killers,  those  barbarous  butchers,  it  does  not  rc(|uire  much 
consideration  to  jiive  an  intelligent  judgment  in  this  ciise,  and  determine  whiidi 
met!iod  is  the  most  linmaue  and  which  method  is  tl't,"  real  cause  of  tlu;  seals  leaving 
the  rookeries. 

"  When  the  seaiing-schooner  is  at  sea  she  has  a  number  of  hiumII  boats  of  a  canoe 
form,  built  exjiressly  tor  sealing.  When  a  seal  is  sighted  ii  boiit  is  hninchecl  over- 
board, a  hunter,  with  one  or  two  men  to  pull  Uw.  boat,  quiiitly  tak(f  tlitdr  ])laces. 
Till'  hunter  is  armed  with  shot-guns  and  rille.  The  boMt  is  ])ulled  (|uiet  ly  to>vjird  the 
seiil.  In  nine  cases  out  i'  ten  the  animal  takes  alarm  and  dives  out  of  sight  before 
the  boat  is  near  enough  tor  the  hunter  to  shoot,  and  in  no  ease  docs  a  hunter  shoot 
until  he  is  near  enough  to  be  ceitaiiiof  the  game.  As  sonn  as  ii  seal  is  shot  it  begins 
to  sink  slowly,  and  the  boat  is  pulled  rapidly  uji  to  it,  the  carcase  is  galled  and  hauled 
aboard.  This  is  repeated  as  long  as  a  seal  can  be  seen.  In  many  instances  only  one 
or  two  will  bo  killeil  dnriiig  a  whole  day's  hunting,  but  at  other  times  as  many  as 
twenty  or  thirty  will  lie  taken.  Alter  a  day's  hunt  the  boiits  return  to  the  scliomier, 
the  seals  a!(>  skinned,  and  the  ))elts  laid  in  salt  in  the  hold.  This  goi^s  on  fioni  day 
today  during  thos(>asou.  Asmall  boat  is  not  a  very  safe  craft  in  the  Ixiisteroiis  water 
of  the.  Northern  ( )cean,  and  the  thick  fogs  often  spring  up  and  hide  the  sihooncs 
from  the  hunters'  sight,  when  days  may  ela])se  before  the  bo.xts  are  ])ickeil  up,  ami 
somet  imes  they  are  never  found  Thnstlu^se  hardy  sealers  pursue  theotijects  id'  their 
chase  in  the  o|)en  sea.  The  seal  has  a  chance  of  escaping,  ai.'i  the  percentage  killed 
is  very  small,  When  it  is  considered  that  an  extent  of  ocean  of  nearly  ll!,()()l)  s([uari' 
miles  is  hunted  over,  the,  chamui  is  slight  of  the  seals  being  oxtermiuatod  by  the  tieet 
of  sixty  or  seventy  vessels  engaged  in  the  seal-hunting  business. 

"It  has  been  asserted  that  only  a  few  seals  out  of  «!very  hundred  shot  are  captured 
bv  the  hunters,  and  the  l)alaMce  sink  or  escape  wounded  to  die  later  on.  This  is  not 
HO.  The  ample  evidence  collected  by  the  Commissionora  this  seasiui  ))ro\cs  that  a 
seal  hardly  ever  escapes  whenshot.  Of  coarse,  a  few  ilo,  but  not  ovei'  liveor  six  out 
of  the  hundred. 

"T'c  sealing  monopolists  of  the  rookeries  have  had  reports  made  by  so-calld 
'exj'.'i'ts'  on  the  condition  of  the  sealing  business  and  on  the  jiroUablc  etVeet  on  seal 
life  if  the  present  rate  of  killing  is  to  be  kept  u]).  All,  or  marl\  all.  of  these  'experts' 
have  reported  that  but  few  seal  are  lelt;  that  the  |iiiatieal  ])oachiug  schooners  had 
killed  them  oil',  ai.d  yet  the  wholeof  the  persons  inter\  ii^wed  by  the  ( 'oMimissioners, 
masters  of  sealiug-schooners,  Indians  along  the  coast,  and  traders  admitted  that  the 
seals  are.  in  no  ways  diminishing  in  numbers,  but  that  the  present  season  of  l!S!tl  the 
fur-seals  in  the  North  rncilie  have  been  moie  nuuierons  than  IVu'  the  jiast  twenty 
years.  There  is,  however,  much  greater  diOiciilty  eN]ierienccd  in  ca])turing  them. 
The  wary  animals  have  learned  w  hat  a  Bealing-boat  is,  and  at  the  sound  of  a  gun  the 
aiiiniiil  is  on  its  guard,  and  it  is  harder  for  the  hunter  to  get  in  range  of  his  (piarr.^ . 
'I'he  India  us  kill  iIk^  seal  by  ]iaildling  the  canoe  silently  close  to  the  slee]iiiig  aiiiiual, 
and  I  lien  with  nnerriiig  aim  hurling  a  barbed  sjiear  with  a  line  attached,  with  which 
the  seal  is  hauled  in  and  taken  aboard  the  canoe,     ."^ehbuii  or  never  does  a  seal  escape. 

riie  white  hnntcrs  use  the  gun  as  descri'ied." 
17(>  Although  seals  havi'a)ipearcd  in  iiicredi  Me  numbcis  this  ]Mescnt  season  otTSIIl, 

yet  the  weather  all  through  the  spring  ami  early  summer  months  was  unusually 
boisterous,  and  days  and  even  weeUs  elapsed  during  which  I  iuie  il  \\  as  iui])ossible  to 
laiincii  a  sealing  boat  or  an  liidiaii  canoe,  consr(|uvntly  tiie  catch  has  not  lieen  as 
large  as  was  generally  expected,  and  recent  accounts  lioiii  London  show  that  the 
prices  brought  for  fur  seal  skins  at  the  great  tiade  sales  did  not  average  over  lil  dol- 


REPORT    or    liRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


247 


;s  w;iti  r 

IllVOIlt"'^ 

)t'  Ihtii- 

.•killc.l 

(( s(iiiiirc 

tlic  llft't 

i':i|it  iiri'il 
lis  is  mil 

lis  tllllt  il 

H\\  cut 


SO-('!llll'.l 

t  1)11  seal 
fxpt'ils' 
iicrs  li!i<i 
^sioiii  IS, 
Hint  tlic 
ISill  till' 
,  twfiil.v 

l;r    tllflll. 

1  ;;iin  the 
H  qiiari'v . 

:iiiiiii:il, 
III  \v  hi  I'll 

1  cscajii'. 


.nonS'.ll, 
miiiHiially 
Dssihlc  to 
t  lit'iMi  us 
tliiit  tho 
tr  i;)  tlol- 


lars.  As  jn-icos  IVdiii  17  l<i  '-'-  doll;!!-;  were  |p;ii(l  in  \'ii'tiiiia  for  IlifSf  sl<iiis,  soiiii'lioily 
lias  licoii  a  fj;rfat  loser,  and  tiic  prosiicct  now  is  that  Ccwcr  \<'sm'1>  wii'  i'ii';ai;r  in  the 
liiisiiicss  ii('\t  scasoii.  and  that  juices  will  rule  still  lower. 

Of  the  iiiij;ratoi(y  hahits  ol'  fur-seals  hut  little  has  hitherto  been  iiiaile  known,  for 
those  who  have  had  lie  information  to  ei\  o  hfivcf  had  an  interest  directly  ojiiioscd  to 
iiiijiartiuH'  tho  truth.  Hence  the  fallacious  assertion  has  heeii  made  and  stoutly 
inaintaiiipd  liy  \\\v.  iiionoiiolists  aiifl  their  iiieiidacious  hirelinjis  that  all  the  lur-seals 
of  the  North  I'acilic  Ocean  con^reji'ated  on  the  rookoriesof  the  islands  of  the  I'rihy- 
lotV  {ironp,  and  if  they  are  allowed  to  he  kilh>il  hy  the  poachers  and  })irates,  whom 
the  ffoneral  jinldic  know  as  honest,  industrious,  enernetic  Iksheniieii  and  hunters — 
the  fur-seal  will  heeonie  oxtinet,  and  Miss  l'"lora  McFlimsey  will  have  iiothiuij  to 
wear,  jioor  j^irll  Mut  the  scientilic  iiivestij;afions  of  the  I'liited  States  and  Knyal 
Commissions,  and  jiarticnlarly  the  hitter,  who  have  made  the  iiiierations  of  the  seals 
a  Njiecia]  study,  will  show  that.tlie,  liahits  of  all  mijii  <tory  animals,  hoth  hirds  and 
lieasts,  are  jioverned  hy  natural  laws.  'I'lie  seals,  like  the  ;;'leat  lierdB  of  hnlialo, 
formerly  .so  ahundant,  and  the  myi'iads  of  wild  fowl  from  the  north,  arc  not  (eaidi 
kind)  one  single  ;;rcat  hody.  The  hull'alo  were  found  in  ^re.it  droves  from  Tex.as  to 
the  .\ssiirh(iine  and  the  Ked  Iviver  id'  the  north,  hut  they  were  not  all  in  one  hand. 
The  her  is  lidni  Lower  Ttsxas  never  went  north  to  the  u))|ier  liiuils.nor  did  the  lierds 
of  the  e\!  .(MiHi  north  ovor  seek  (heir  fecdiiiir  Mioiiiid  in  Southei  n  Texas.  J' very  hand 
had  its  own  raii;;(^  ."^o  of  the  Canada  jrcese  and  other  wild  fowl,  which  w('rt<  iiopii- 
l.'irly  declared  to  visit  the  rejjions  of  the  North  Toh;  every  siuiiij;  to  iir"pa;;'ate  their 
yoiiiij;.  No  one  thonnht  or  <lared  to  assert  to  the  contrary,  hut  w  liiui  (Johmel  (ioss, 
the  celehrated  oriiilhoioMist,  found  the  nests  and  e!;^:'*  and  ycuiiij;  iif  the  (';iiiadii 
;i()ose  in  Kansas,  and  other  oliservers  have  discovered  these  so-called  Arctic  hreeders 
rearinjf  their  yiuini;  at  tlu;  head- waters  of  t  he  Missouri  and  .Mississippi,  it  was  found 
that  popular  helief  lenardinj;;  natural  history  is  not  always  scientilii  fact,  and  so  as 
1o  the  iiahits  of  the  fur-seal.  They  do  not  move  in  one  iiiimeiisc  herd  to  JSchiinj; 
Sea,  hut  in  droves  and  hands  or  scliools  like  lisli,  all  over  the  ;ircat  expanse  of  tho 
North  I'acilic  Ocean.  Hr.  Da wsoii,  of  tlio  Royal  Cominission,  said,  as  reported  in 
th(!  N'ictoria  "  Colonist  "  of  the  Kith  October : 

"  N'ery  little  has  lieen  iiiihlished  abo  ,t  the  mi^r.'it  inns  of  the  seals  on  the  .North 
I'aeilic  coast  liefore  they  enter  the  !'•  briii;';  Sea.  and  this  point  is  one  from  w  liich  we 
jj;ot  a  lot  of  interestiiiij  matter.  V,  e  have  taken  a  i^ood  deal  of  evidence  about  the 
jiresence  of  seals  at  Cape  Mattery,  and  have  been  told  that  they  were  more  niinier- 

oiis  Last  spriiii>' than  tiiey  ha ve  ever  been  belore I  (ind  a  peculiar  idea 

exiMtin;^  ainoiiii'  those  w1k>  claim  to  Ik;  authorities  in  regard  to  seals  ioiind  in  the 
waters  of  South  America,  especially  about  Tierra  del  I'lieno  and  the  Straits  of 
Mai;ollan.  The  notion  that  they  are  the  same  species  of  seal  as  those  found  in  Iteli- 
line'  .'<c.i  and  the  .\oilli  I'acilic  is  (|uite  erronemis.  'J'hey  are  of  a  dillertuit  ;;enus 
altogether." 

So  also  will  these  scientific  iiivcHti,i;'atioiis  hIiow  that  a  (.■■rtion  of  the  sci-c;illed 
C'alifoiiiia  seal,  whii'li  e(Miies  north  every  season,  dues  not  enter  INdiriiiL;  Sea  at  all, 
and  that  its  habits  in  many  respects  (lillrr  essentially  fnuii  tliost  which  visit  the 
rookeries  in\  the  I'ribylolf  Islands.  These  C'alifornia  seals  do  have  pups  soiiiew  here 
on  the  coast,  eilherat  the  I'aiallones  or  further  south,  or  lui  the  ^^ri-.at  kelp  jiatclieH, 
as  is  ele.irly  shown  liy  the  yonnj;  pii)is  which  annually  make  their  ap])earani'e  with 
the  bird,  and  are  taken  and  brciiii;lil  into  Neali  Hay  hy  the  Indians  every  season, 
and  it  is  fiiilhei  proved  that  these  )nips  will  swim  .at  birth,  anil  even  when  taken 
from   tlieir   mother  before   hiitli,  tluis  showint;   a  diti'erence  of  'aabits   between    llie 


ri' 


i'ribyloir  Islands  seal  and  those  iakeii  at  Cape  I'Matlery.  ri'cse  lacts  a 
habitsot  Hie  fur  seals  of  C;i]ie  I'laltery,  wliii  h  I  have  known  lor  more  than  thirty 
years,  liave  this  year  been  jirovcd  to  be  <'(urect  liy  the  lioya'  scientists,  and  will 
seem  to  show  there  are  always  two  sides  to  every  i|nesl  ion.  \v'liile  I  join  with  all 
the  sealers  wit  h  whom  I  liaA  e  conveised  tiiat  there  should  be  a  cinse  schsdii  on  the 
I'ribylolf  Islunds,  when  no  seals  should  be  killed  on  t  iiose  islands  or  in  liehrinj;  Sea, 
I  c(|iially  Join  with  some  of  the  mine  iiitelli^;eiit  and  obseiv  in;;  of  these  sealers  that 
the  hunlinif  of  seals  alon^  the  coast  of  W'asliinjrlini,  liiitish  Coliiinbia,  and  Soiith- 
easteni  .Maska  does  not  in  any  way  alfect  the  seal  latili  ..n  the  I'liliylotl'  Islands,  as 
tluM'e  is  (svery  reason  to  assiiine  t  iiat  I  liese  coast  se.ils  never  eiuci   l(eliriii>>-  Sea. 

When  we  consider  how  the  dc\  ejopiiient  of  the  lishericR  of  the  North  I'acilic  have 
been  paiiily/ed  hy  this  seal  ciuitroversy ,  and  our  lishernuMi  have  been  drivtui  by  the 
mistaki'ii  jioliey  (d' our  (iovernment  to  seek  |irotcclion  under  the  Hritish  Hay;,  w« 
may  wcdl  exclaim,  "'Ibis  is  a  sorry  sijiht."  The  tishcrmen  of  (iioiieest(>r  and  other 
eastern  jioris,  who  weie  jiridected  by  our  <  iovei  nineiil  in  tlieir  fisheries  on  the 
.Mlantic.  almost  to  the  ver;;e  of  hostilities  will,  '.ireat  ISiitiiin.  liiid  that  when  they 
come  aioiind  Cape  Horn  to  eti<;:ie'e  in  |||i>  same  p  .leefiil  and  honoiiiable  vttiation  in 
the  North  I'acilic,  l!ebriiiu'  Sea.  and  the  .\retie  Ociaii.  they  are  deiioiiiiccd  liy  the 
Hiinie  (iovernmeiit  as  poachers  ami  pirates,  'i'liey  take  nutlf'iiu  but  Hie  products  of 
the  ocean.  'Iliey  rob  no  man.  Vet  hecanse  a  powerful  Suidicile  of  e;ipitalisls 
demands  the  vi^lil    to  monoiioli/e   tlie   taking' of  seals  to  fninish  artidcij  ol  ln.xiiry 


248 


REPORT    OF    HIUTISH    COMMISSIONKUS. 


I'  1.' 


Mr 


lur  I  111'  ricli,  (Mir  lisluiiiicii  .nid  liiiiilrrs  mic  li:iriii'(l  :ni(l  wonicd  l)y  fevciiiic-ciiltcr.s 
iiriil  oilier  ihiihmI  vi'sscIs,  nut  lor  flic  ]iu))lic  j;oo(l,  not  fcii'  llic  liciiclit  oC  tin;  jioor, 
Imt  simply  to  oiiitity  the  aviiricc  ol'  the  \vc:iltliy  (V\v  wlio  have  ^;t'(•ll^e(l  Iroiii  our 
(iovcrniiiciit  a  iin)!io])oly  of  scal-catcliine;  ,,11  FnliyldlV  Mauds,  wliii'li  tlicy  arrogantly 
assimic,  ei\en  tlieiii  tli<>  nioiioiiolv  nl'  the  whole  oeeaii.  as  well  as  Ala.ska. 

When  the  Hiulsoii  IJay  ('oiii|iaii  .  .  wliiih  for  more  than  1(10  yearn  had  lorded  it  with 
despotic  sway  across  tht^  whole  coiit  incut,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  soiieht  to 
renew  its  Charter,  those  far-seeinji  Hfatesmen,  (iladslone,  l.alpoiichen^,  Lord  Itiiry, 
and  others  o|)posed  jj;rant inj;  a  renewal,  and  Pari iam cut  refused.  'J'lie  conrsc  (d'  those 
wise  statesmen  ajj;ainst  that  uij^antie  nionoiioly  o]iencd  to  the  Itominioii  of  Canada 
all  that  jjrcat  rej;i(Mi  whii  ji  had  been  reprcseiitcil  by  the  (.'omiiany  as  a  land  of 
177  ice  and  snow,  of  fogs  and  cold,  lit  only  as  an  abode  for  wild  beasts  and  the 
siill  wilder  Indian.  lint  it  has  been  found  an  aj;ricnltnral  icniou  of  iiiiincnse 
value,  whicdi  has  been  ojiened  and  demonstrated  b\' the  Canadian  Pacific  h'ailroad 
to  be  a  fit  abode  for  tlioiisands  of  indnstrions  white  jiersmis,  who  have  foiiinl  within 
its  bordcis  Inqijiy  homes,  and  li.ive  thii.s  added  tfi  the  wealtii  ol'  the  Dominion. 

So,  too,  when  wo  can  have  statesmen  in  Coniiress  who  can  rise  above  the  sordid 
motives  of  filthy  liicic,  and  look  into  this  seal  (|nestion  and  the  d(;selopm( '^t  of 
Alaska,  and  (d"  onr  ;;rcat  fisheries,  they  will  see  that  the  sum  ])aiil  by  th.o  ('omjiany 
for  the  lease  of  the  Priliyioff  Islands  is  not  a  feather's  weight  in  tlii'scale.  of  justice, 
wiien  wi'  compare  this  amount,  ere.it  as  it  is.  with  tln^  vast  ly  ;;rcat  r  anio.int  of  jrooii 
the  nation  will  deriv;-  by  ;;i  v  iuij  every  encoiuaireuicnt  to  our  fishermen  to  briny  in  the 
licli  )iiddncfs  of  the  ocean,  tiie  wliales,  the  seals,  the  fish,  and  to  onr  miners  and 
others  to  o|(ci;  iij)  and  de\  clop  the  rich  treasures  of  Alaska.  All  this  devcdopment  is 
retarded  .and  par.alyzed  by  t  he  a<'t  ion  of  the  monopidi/iii!;  Coiiip  i:iies,  just  as  the 
llndsiin  Pay  Company  ictardeil  the  devclo]inieiit  of  Piitish  Columbia  anil  all  that 
j;real  ic';ion,  (dear  f  liroiii;li  to  Hudson's  Hay  and  the  Atlantic.  Instead  of  emulatiiii^ 
the  example  of  the  Pritish  I'arliament  and  alnnoaf  inji  a  poweifiil  nionoiioly,  wo  seem 
to  liavc  u<ine  baid<  to  feudal  times  and  granlcd  rit;lits  and  pri\  ilexes  to  the  moneyed 
Parous  wliiidi  arc  denied  to  the  poo]de.  Petter  that  e\er'  ('"r-seal  be  exterminat(Hl 
than  the  liiited  Stattvs  should  enter  into  this  nnlioly  aiiiiiiiif.'  with  a  monopoly  to 
liaral,\/e  our  industries  and  rob  the  people  of  their  inliei  la.icc,. 

(hi  flit  North  Atlaiitii'  Cccan  the  hairscals  have  been  liiiiiied  for  more  than  two 
centuries,  and  every  year  more  vessels  and  lar<:;er  ones  are  enp;aij;ed  in  this  biisiii(;ss. 
\<  t  the  haii'-sival  is  not  extermiiiMlcd.  The  habits  of  the  fur  seal  and  hair  seal  are 
anaKi!;oiis — lioth  live  on  fish,  lioth  are  amphibious;  but  the  commercial  \  .aliie  of  the 
fur-seal  is  the  greatest,  and  wl.ile  our  fisherini'ii  I'an  kill  all  the  hair-seals  they  wish 
the  fur  se.'il  musf  be  reser\('d  for  those  who  have  longer  purses  and  can  cajob-  Con- 
gress by  their  so|diistrics. 

The  fur  seals  ne\  er  will  be  exte:  minat(>d.  'I'h  -y  may  and  have  been  driven  from 
their  rookiMics,  lint  they  have  found  others,  and  if  flicy  arc  being  driven  from  the 
Pribylof)'  Islands,  as  is  a.  serfeil,  I  predict  that  when  the  wholesale  buti  hciies  are. 
sfo|i]ied  and  the  steindi  of  the  rotting  carcasses  no  longer  poUiifes  the  atnios]ili(  10  of 
St,  I'aul's  and  St.  (icorge's  rookeries,  the  seals  will  return  te  their  old  liaiiii  s,  as 
they  ari'  now  returning  to  their  furmer  rookerios  at  C;ipe  llo'ii  and  other  places  i  > 
the  South  Pacific.  In  all  flie  jireccding  years  of  the  histors  of  the  sealing  om  the 
I'libylolf  Islands,  the  C,i])tains  of  tlit!  revenne-cntters  ha\<'  not  been  reiinirwl  to 
make  specific  K'eports  on  their  observations  of  fur-seals  off  the  rookeries,  and  any 
xolniitary  slatcnicnls  they  may  have  made  were  either  ]iigeon-liole(l  or  not  con- 
sidered good  form,  hence  wc  have  no  knowledge  of  any  siiidi  K'eports.  This  season, 
however,  flic  Captains  lia\e  l>een  re(|iiired  to  make  K'eports  mi  flieir  observations  i«l 
fur  seals  and  their  habits  ofidf  tlii'  rookeries,  and  their  tcstiinoiiy,  added  to  the 
Pepoiis  of  the  Commissioners,  will  furnish  much  interesting  informal  ion  which  has 
liitlieiio  been  suppressed. 

If  liie  (iovernment  will  piohiliit  the  killing  of  fur  seals  on  f  he  Pribylotl'  Islands 
and  in  Pehring  Sea  ('..iring  the  breeding  sisison,  and  will  ciicoiir.ige  onr  iishcnueii 
as  they  are  enconiagecl  on  the  Afliinfic,  the  seals  will  not  hi'  diixcn  off  nor  the  mar- 
ket o\ersto(ked,  and,  better  than  all,  cm'oiiragemeiit  will  lie  given  to  the  develop 
ment  of  our  fisheries  by  fiiinishing  a  motive  for  a  fishing  fleet  to  congi<'gate  011 
I'uget  Sound,  ;ind  1>\  the  proilm  ts  of  their  labours  to  cnrii  h  our  State,  If  such  .1 
coiirsi'  is  pursued  one  will  lieai'  no  more  of  American  vessels  being  driven  under  the 
Pritisb  (lag  for  protect  imi  fiom  the  1  iiited  .'states  (io\  ei  niiient ,  wliiidi  sfii;nld  protect 
tlii'in.  ( hir  (io\ criiiiiciit  is  very  jealous  of  injuries  and  insults  put  ni>on  onr  citi/ens 
by  foreign  nations,  but  not  ii  word  is  said  of  the  injuries  ami  losses  our  citi/ens 
have  iuciiiri'd  by  onr  (Government  in  sustaining  and  piotecf  ing  a  monopoly  on  the 
seal  islands.  It  is  a  disgracciiil  jiart  iicrsliij*  lid  ween  the  I'liifed  States  and  these 
moiiopidists.  wliiili  should  In  dissolxcd.  It  is  an  old  adage  that  "  when  thieves  I'all 
out  honest  men  get  their  dm  n,"  and  I  hoiie  that  the  present  .  nd  between  the  two 
lival  Ciiinpanies  may  bring  Congress  to  11  clear  understanding  of  this  matter,  and 
our  tishernn'ii  allowed  the  same  pi  i\  ileges  and  eiice.irag.  meiit  that  llicy  have  in  the 
North  Atlantic. 

(Siyiied)  .Iamks  G.  Swan. 


iC'Ciittcrs 
llic,  jxior, 
rniiii  our 
iTogantly 

edit  with 

HOIIJillt  to 

ji'd  I'.iiiv, 
II'  oC  tiiost) 
)t'  Canada 

a  land  of 
tH  anil  till' 

iniMiiMise 

i.'ailioad 
mil  within 
nion. 

thf  sordid 
)pini  't  of 

Coniitany 
of  jnwtice, 
ni,  of  good 
riiif;  in  tho 
iin(T.s  and 
■l()l)nu'nt  is 
nst  as  thi) 
id  all  tliat 
emulating 
ly,  woHci'iii 
I!  nioni'yt'd 
Icnninatcd 
onopoly  to 

I',  than  two 
is  linsiiu^ss. 
lir  seal  are 
ilni!  of  tlui 
<  lliry  wish 
ajoli-  Con- 

i\t'n  lV()ni 
IVoiii  llio 
111  lii's  are 
)S]ilii  re  of 
lann  s,  iis 
dares  i  > 
Mifj;  ofi  the 
■iiiiirefl  to 
and  any 
not  coii- 
!■<  season, 
nations  of 
I'd  to  the 
wliiili  lias 

tV  Islands 
lisliii  men 
r  till'  iiiur- 

!■   dl'Vclop- 

L;i('y;at<'  on 

If  snih  a 

iiniirr  the 

Id  proti'it 

ir  liti/enH 

ir  riti/ens 

Illy  on  the 

mil   tlii'se 

liirves  t'all 

n  lilt'  t  wo 

latter,  and 

ia\e  in  the 

8  WAN. 


RKPOUT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


24i) 


Lctlcr  fi ntii  ('iijildiii  John  lUvircit.r,  (idilxHHtd  to    Ishlii/  Vroiidc,  I'ufi.,  f^i rrclanj,  llihriii;/ 

i<((i  CiDiiiiiinsion. 

(ii!A\iNi;   Hock.  KxiiiiiiiiuU,  Xorcmhn-  Id,  IS'Jl. 

Silt:  In  icjily  to  yonr  letter  of  the  28th  ultimo,  ris])eitiiii;  tlu!  liahit.s  of  the  fnr- 
neal  alonj;  the  eoasts  of  Hritish  Colnniliia  and  Alaska,  I  hey-  to  report  as  f'ollown: 

1.  From  the  early  part  of  Deeemher  to  the  heirinnini^  of  .hine  they  are  found  near 
the  eilf^i!  ot'  the  hank  of  Houndiii.ii.s  ali/iii;  the  coast  from  simth  of  the  Str.'iit  of  1  >e 
I'liea  to  Capt^  Scott  Jslaiids  on  the  west  coast  of  Vaneonver  Island,  ami  that  uhont 
the  middle  of  .hme  they  disa]ipoar  altoj;ethor,  and  are  seldom  seen  aeaiu  until  lato 
in  Novomher  or  early  )>art  of  Decoinher,  when  the  weather  is  then  too  roiif^h  for  all 
jirurtical  jMirposes  to  eateh  them. 

2.  The  distance  from  the  shore  wheri-  they  arc  to  he  found  most  ]dentil'ul — say  otf 
Cajie  IJcale,  where  the  hank  extends  furthest  from  tin;  land—  is  from  'M)  to  100  miles, 
and  in  some  cases  to  150  miles;  hut  these  ti,i;iireH  nnist  not  he  taken  l»y  any  means  as 
a  fixed  limit,  hecause  they  are  frei|uently  found  inshore  and  uj*  the  Hounds  some  8 
or  10  miles  inside  the  headlands,  and,  in  fact,  I  ha\e  seen  them  in  the  Strait  of 
l''Mca,  and  on  rare  oeeasious  in  the  (Julf  of  (icorn'ia  even. 

;>.  When  they  are  found  alonj;  the  hank  on  tlie  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island 
they  are  feedin:;-  on  their  n;itural  feedinji-  j;ri)iind8,  where  they  feed  upon  all  kinds 
of  tish  in  seasuii — of  which  we  luivi^  a  variety  on  this  coast  ol'  scmie  thirty  odd 
s)Mcies — howevir.  the  herrinjj  is  their  ])rincipal  fond,  and  tlitui  comes  the  salmon 
and  other  varieties,  and  so  lonj;-  as  tlie  tish  are  |ilentifnl  the  seal  never  leaves 
178  th(^  teedinji'  firoiind.  hut  when  the  herrinjx,  saliiion.  smelts,  and  others  jiroreed 
north waiil  anil  into  the  inlets,  iiarlionrs,  rivers,  Ac.,  to  spawn,  the  seals  follow 
them,  hut  so  soon  as  they  lind  shoal  water  I  hey  i;o  to  sea  ajiain.  Now  sonu*  of  our 
inlets  111'  the  west  oast  are  from  50  to  lOit  fathoms  deep,  and  the  seal  is  (|uite  at 
home  in  them. 

I.  As  far  as  my  ohservations  have  extended  ref^ardine;  the  increase  oi'  decrease  in 
their  nnmliers,  and  I  have  heeii  mi  this  coast  twenty-seven  years,  all  I  can  say  on  the 
siilijeet  is  that  when  they  return  to  their  feeding;  };rouiiils  alt(^r  their  ]ii'riodic 
niieiations  they  appear  to  he  in  numliers  very  similar  to  the  salmon,  herring,  smelt, 
oolachan,  iVc.  .^'^ome  years  they  are  fnuiiil  in  inexhanstilile  numhers,  then  for  a  year 
or  two  they  will  lie  scarcer,  only  to  return  in  the  fnllowiuf;-  year  in  as  ereat  ulinn- 
daniu)  as  ever,  and  it  is  my  (inn  hciief  that  if  the  tish  never  left  the  hanks  frineing 
the  west  coast  of  Hrit  isli  Colnmliia  and  Southeiii  Alaska  the  si-als  would  never  leave 
their  feeding  grounds,  for  the  only  food  they  can  get  in  I'.eliiing  Sea  is  eodlish, 
which  is  liy  no  nieiuis  so  plentiful  as  the  herring,  smelt,  anil  milachans  further  sout  li. 

.\s  to  the  distance  they  jiresiMve  fiiuii  the  sliiire-liiie,  I  do  not  lielieve  there,  is  any 
diti'ereiice,  foi  instance,  in  the  months  of  Novemher.  1  leiiniher,  and  .lanuary  the 
salmiin  and  herrings,  Ac,  are  I'ai'  oil'  sliore,  iind  as  s]iring  adsances  they  ap]iiiiacli 
liie  land  in  shoals  and  the  seals  Vdlow  them.  The  herrings  come  in  (irst,  the  salninn 
follows,  and  feeds  upon  them,  a  d  the  seal  feeds  upon  all,  although  the  herring  iu 
its  favourite  food. 

Any  other  int'ormation  as  to  the  history  of  seal-fishiny  in  this  jirovince,  Ac.,  1  etni 
supply  if  necessary. 
1  um,  Ac. 

(Signed)  .IiiiiN    \H\v\\\.\\.lhiikmittiltr. 


79 


Al'l'KNIHX  (I)). 
Mi-ci:i  r.wnns  ('oi!iti;si'i.Mii  m  k  am>  Mimmijanua. 


J.  Ih'hring  Sea  T'lmimissioneis  to  Her  llril  annie  Ma  jest  \  's  <  'onsuls  ( ieiiei  al  at  Shang- 
hai'. ( 'antcHi,  and  lioiiolnln. 

2.   Her  llritannic  .Majcst,\'»  Consul  at  San  I'mmiseo  to  liehring  Sea  Commissioneis. 

;i.  Her  l(ru.*nnii'  Majesty's  Consiil-tieneral  .'it  Shanghae  to  liehring  SeaCommis- 
sioner.i. 

4.  Her  I'.ritaniiK'  Majesty's  (  oiisiil-tieneral  at  Canton  to  liehring  Sea  ( 'oiii  miss  inn  era, 

5.  U«  liring  Sea  (  oinmissioiieis  to  Senior  .Naval  ( llllcer,  l'',Mi|uimalt. 
(i.   I'.xtracis  from      cimll^'nger"  Keports. 

7.  Letter  from  .Mr.  I     ('hapinan. 

8.  Kxtiaet  of  letter  liiun  liaion  Nordenskiold. 
!>.   ]..etler  from  Mr.  .Inhn  Miiirav. 

10.  h'e)nirt  ot'  examination  ot'  dead  Seal  I'lip  liy  I'r.  (iiintlier. 

11.  Memorandum  li,y  Sir  Samuel  W  ilsmi,  M.  1'.  (^Shce^i  lui  ediny). 


tj!:li 


2r)0 


RKPORT    OF    HKITISH    COMMFSSIONERS. 


IL'.   MciiiorMiHliini  liy  llarl  IJiownlow  ( liici- In  ceiling  ). 

i;!.    .MriiKii.'iiiiliiiii  l>.v  I'ldlcssor  I'lower,  (!.  IS. 

11.    I.cllfi'  liiiiii  (':i|>t;iiii  David  (iiay,  rctciluMtl. 

15.  Mr.  W.  I'aliiirr,  on  tlie  Killinij;<)f  ScaLs  ii])(ni  flio  l'rili.\  loll'  Islands. 

](».   I'.xtiac-l   from  tluj  Melbourno  "Argus,"  Deci'iiihcr   17    1XM7,  (rt'lcnrd  to  by  Mr. 

( 'lia|)iiiaii). 
17.  llxtrails  IVoin  raiiiplilet  by  Mr.  A.  W.  Scott  on  the  Kiir-st'al.s  of  the  .Sontliern 

Hoiui>'i)licr»!,  1873. 


1. — J.t'llir  from  the  llihr'nii/  Sra  Coiniinx^ioiitrH  to  Her  lirilatniic  Majcuti/'K  Coiisiil-doirral 

at  Shaiinliae.' 

(i()\i;i;.\.Mi;.Ni'  llorsi:,  Ottawa,  \i>rcmlicr  /i!,  JSHl. 

Siii:  Having  l)Pe!i  njipointcd  Hritisli  ('(nnini.ssionors  to  investigate  the  facts  and 
eoiiditions  of  fnr-seal  life  and  the  sealing  industry  in  the  Nr>rtli  I'aeitic  t>eean,  we 
tind  that  our  ini|uiry  would  he  mueh  assisted  if  yon  eould  furnish  us  with  informa- 
tion on  the  following  jtoints: 

1.  As  to  the  n.imes  and  iiumher  of  vessels  sailing  froni  Chinese  ])(>rts  in  any  given 
years,  whieh  have  taiien  fur-seal  at  sea  or  on  the  rookeiies.  togethei'  with  the  nnm- 
lier  of  skins  tai^en  and  otlier  particulara,  sneh  as  th(!  nationality  of  the  vesstds,  and 
the  nnuihers  of  their  crews. 

J.  Any  inlorinatioii  as  to  the  numher  of  fur-seal  skins  landed  at  Sbanghae,  and  the 
nuirkef  jirices  of  the  same  in  any  given  years. 

[  t  3.  .Any  inforMiati<ui  on,  or  iiaini>s  of  authorities  fur,  the  very  considerable  traile 
in  fur-seal  skins,  both  from  tiie  North  I'acitie  and  the  South  Seas,  whieh  a))])ear.s  to 
have  been  carried  on  at  Canton  during  the  earlier  yeai's  of  tlie  ))rescnt  (century.  | 

We  should  be  much  oliliged  if  the  above  information  could   lie  forwarded  to  us  as 
soon  as  )iossible,  addressed  to  the  Ibhring  Sea  C'omiuissicn,  care  of  his  Excellency 
the  CJovernor  (ieneral,  Ottawa,  Canada. 
We  havt!,  Ac. 

(Signed)  Ok.ougk  BAnKN-PowKM,. 

(ii'.oitiii',  M.  Dawson. 


'2.  —  I.I  tier  from  fliv  Uritnimic  .1f(f/(.'-7//'.s  CoiiniiI  itl  >'((»  Fraiicinco  to  tin-  Hilniiiii  Sea 

I  diiuiiinsioiicrK. 

S.\x  FiiANTi.sri),  .liiiniiirti ,'',  ISri?. 

Silt :  1  am  in  receipt  of  your  des])atfb,  <lated  I'oreign  ( Ulice,  the  Kith  ult  inu),  wish- 
ing me  to  obtain  t'or  the  IJcliring  Sea  Commissioners  the  forms  of  clearance  issued  at 
the  Custom  bouse  .at  San  l'"ram'isco  for  vessels  jtroceiMling  on  whaling,  lishing.  and 
Healing  voyages  to  'he  North  I'aeitic,  including  Hidiring  Sea. 

1  ho  iirecise  ]dir;is.  ::  used  in  clea'iug  vessels  at  this  jioi't  n))on  these  voyages  is 
shown  (Ui  the  inclosed  forms  of  elear.ance  obtained  from  the  t.Mistom-housc.  Those 
that  go  hunting  and  lishing  i>iocure  a  clearMUce,  which  states  that  they  .are  "bound 
for  hunting  and  lishing  voyage,  liaving  on  lioard  stores,"  and  ihosr  that  go  whaling 
are  deai'i'il  "for  wlialing  voyage,  having  on  boar<l  stores."  I  am  inforiiie(l  by  the 
Deputy  ('(dlector  of  Customs,  who  clears  all  vessels  here,  that  these  are  the  onlv 
1  wo  tonus  of  cle.iranee  gi\  en,  and  that  no  scaling  or  trading  clause  is  inserted  in  such 
forms,  lie  says  lut  vessels  are  cleared  for  liehring  Sea.  'rhe  steaiuels  of  the  Alaska 
Ciunmercial  Company  clear  tor  I'nalask.a,  and  receive  permission  from  the  Collector 
of  Customs  there  to  ]n'oceed  to  the  Islands  of  St.  (Jeorge  and  St.  Paul. 

As  regards  a  statement  (d'  the  number  of  vesstds  clearing  from  this  port  for  lishing 
and  hunting,  1  inclose  a  Memorandum  which  1  have  jirocured  from  tin  <  'ustomhouse 
at  this  port. 

1  am.  Ac.  (Signed)  Di-.ms  DoNdiioK. 


180      ',i.  —  t.itlvr  from  Ilrr  lirUmniic  ,}fiijintii'i  CoiihiiI  llciierni,  Shaiifjhae,  fo  the  lichrhifj 

St'ii  ('oiiniii'i'iiiiiirrn. 

SiiANOiiAio,  .linninrii  S.  1S:>.'. 
(li:\i  I.i:mI'"N  :  In  reply  to  y<Mir  letter  of  the  Ititli  Xovembcr  last.  Just  received,  ask- 
inij  lor  certain  information  with  regard  to  vessels  cle.iring  from  Chinese  ports  winch 
have  taken  fur  seal,  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that,  as  far  as  1  can  learn,  no 
vi'sscls  have  chared  for  thai  puipose  Iroin  this  i'onnti\,  though  vessels  registend 
lieri'  may  jiossibly  have  left  for  \'ok(diama  \\ith  the  nltiiinite  intention  id'  engaging 

*  Sent  iilso  to  Her  Majesty's  Coiusuls-tieneral  al  ilmnduht  aud  Cuntuu. 
f  To  Canton  ouly. 


,.  by  Mr. 

SoiltlllTIl 

il-dtmriil 


'<;,  ism. 

facts  and 
itceaii,  wt3 
I  inrdiiiia- 

aiiy  fiivcu 

tlio  iiiim- 

^Hsttls,  uiul 

ie,an(l  the 

able  ti:nl« 
a)>])i'arM  tn 
iitiiiy.  I 
cfl  to  lis  as 
Kxcelleiicy 


VSON, 

ii'ih;/  Sea 

,'7.  rS!'?. 
iino.  wisll- 

issr.i'il  at 
sliiiig.  and 

V(iy;if;e8  is 
IHf.  'I'liost* 
re  "  bound 
ii)  wlialiiij; 
(■(1  \iy  tbti 
■  tlic  onlv 
led  in  Hiuli 
tlic  Al.■lsl^a 
,.  CoUcitiir 

f.»v  lisbin^ 
stonilioiirto 

>((N(H10K. 


//)(■  lUhrhtf) 

■11  S.  ISO?. 
«'(M\i'd.  asl^- 
-xtvts  wIih'Ij 
[in  U'liin.  Ill' 
rt'Hinti'i'fd 
It  ouKiiK'"« 

liliin. 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


2r.i 


in  tlic  Nc;il  lisliiiy.  Mont,  if  nut  all,  id'  liii^  vhh-<i'1s  (■nj;:if,n'd  ji;  tlii'  Mi'al  lisliiiirs  rcj;- 
isliTfil  iii'ii'  ai'r  liiillt  and  litlrd  out  in  VoUoliiiniM,  and  an'  only  rrj;islcri'd  in  Slianj;- 
li.K'  ln-raiis(»  it  IS  till'  ncarost  port  wlicri'  l'!i;lis!i  rc^jistry  can  be  (ditaincd. 

'I  lie    lMi|)iTlal    Mai'itiinu  CJiistoniH   have   kindly  tiirnislicd   iin;   with   the   I'ldlowiii;^ 
tif^iircN  .sliowiiiff  the  import  ol"  seal-.skiiis: 


Yi^r. 

I 

ieccs. 

2,  ;iHi 
;i.4r)(p 

8ti0 

Vahio, 

1HR7 

llnikiruii 
ta,h. 
1 . 1.14 1 

IKSH 

fi.  n<i7 

IHS!) 

H  114 

ismi ..         

I.IM'J 

1891 --- - - 

1,77.". 

Till!  llaikwaii  laid  is,  nmulily  S|icakini;',  cipiivaltMit  to  5,1. 

'I'licnc  skiiiH  have  all   been   iniportiMl  Ironi  ■la])iin,  and  I  am  iinabl(>  to  say  whether 
tliey  hiid  tlieir  orijiin  in  that  ennntry,  or  liail  bei^n  previously  imported  to  it. 

I  am  Heiidinjr  copy  of  your  despatch  to  Her  Hritaiinic  Ma  jesty'.s  '  'oiihiiI  at  ^'oknliaiiia, 
who  will  doubtless  Airnish  you  with  all  the  informatioit  obtainaide. 
1  have,  &M. 

(.Sip;ned)  Nici'ih.as  .T.  IIannkn. 


-I. el  I 


filer  from   Her  IliilatDiic  Miije^hi'x  <'tiiiniil-t!eneral,   C<tiitii)i,    to   the  lUhtiii/j  Sea 

( 'oiiniiixnidiiers. 

('aniii.v.  Ihremlter  '^'    '^"" 


1  have,  iVc. 


(  Si>>ned) 


T.  Wai  ri:i!s. 


5.- — Hehfiii'i  '^eii  ('omuiis:tiii)iers  tn  Siiiior  Xurnl  Oflieer.  l''Hiinim(iU, 

OlTAW  A.  Jul II  ft,   1S91. 
Silt:  As  I  li'iMiiJesty's  Comiii'ssioners  :\|ipointed  to  iiive»ti<;ale   the  eoiidil  Ions  of 
sial  lite  in  Hehriii^  Sea,  it  app''ars  tons  that    iiiloi  iicil  Imi  on    the  loilowlni;    poiiiirt 
would  be  oi  ^reat  value  to   the  Coinmis.siDii   it'  liatheieil   ]iy  any   of  Her  .Majesty's 
ships  \i  si  1  III  )f  I  tell  liny;  Sea  In  1>!M  . 

\Ve  therefore  venture  toappMid,  tor  your  eonsidtMalion.  lieads  of  iiifoniiat ion  on 
Blatters  whicli  we  liavo  to  in  ,fsiti>;ate. 

Wf  have,  &o,  (Si^jnedi  (iiooin;!-.  Hai>in  l'owi;i.L. 

Oi:oi<(iK  M.  Dawson. 


252 


REPORT    OF    mU'IISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


1X1        llti-onh  of  Olincrrdliini':  nil  /•'iir-Sail  f, iff  in   llir  Xarth  I'li-ilic  Ocniii,  for   tin:  Hch- 
riiifi  Sni  I  'iiniiiiixsiiiii,  III  hi-  I  iiliri'd  ill  ii  ScikuiiIc  >('(W  /.d'/. 

1.   I'Imcc  oI'  cjicli  vt'ciirdcd  oliscrvatioii  ( iiossiUly,  iiiiirkcil  oil'  (in  sciiaratc  cliiirt  liy 

rt't'clCllCC     MI!|lll)ClsK 

1,'.   l'vMl^       >  lit)  noted  in  r»\i;anl  td  seals: 

4i.,  V  I'l  KM- ])l;»yin;jc.  ''''stinj^.  (ir  travellinj;  (if  travelling;  :  («)  direction,  (/i)  pace, 
(y)  wii,    '.jer  single  or  in  seliodls). 

(ii.)  (h)  Sex,  a;nf,  and  size;   (/J)  wlietlier  accompanied   by  pii])s  or  not. 

(iii.)  State  of  weather  and  sea  at  times  of  oliscMvation. 

1{.  Olitain  eorics|iondinj;  infoiination  from  any  sealinj^-seliooncM's  visited  for  any 
ininiediutelv  iivecedinjf  dates,  and  ;;enerallv  record  anv  information  a]i])lvinfi  to  seal 
'ife. 

Tills  Memorandum  was  communicated  to  the  (^oinnnindini^^  ottieers  of  Her  Miijesty's 
sliiji.s  "Nymiihe,"  "  roi|Miise"  and  "  I'heasant,"  who  kindly  caused  accurate  observa- 
tions to  l>e  made  on  llic  ]ioints  indicated. 

'I'lio  results  of  these  observations  are,  so  far  as  were  considerol  essential,  embodied 
in  our  Heiicrt. 


G. — Kxtinvinfrom  licpnrfof  the  Sriviitifir  I!i->iiillnnf  tlif  Exploriiifi  I'lnjage  of  Her  Majesty's 

<.S7i(/<  '■  CtiiiHiiiijir."  Is7-t-7ii. 

"  The  caves  (on  Xii^htinnale  Island),  with  the  slopini;  ledges  leadiuK  up  to  them, 
ar<^  fre(|uented,  as  was  said,  by  fur  seals,  four  years  before  the  visit  of  the  exjiedi- 
tion,  l.lOi)  seals  liad  been  killi'd  on  the  island  by  onti  ship's  crew.  Seals  were  very 
much  scarcer  in  1S73.  but  t  he  island  was  \isit(  '  rc<j;ularly  once  a-year  by  the  Tristan 
]it,'"pl(  ,  as  was  also  Inaccessible  Island.  The  (Jernuius  killed  only  seven  seals  at 
inaccessible  Island  duiinK  their  stay,  but  the  Tristan  people  kilh^l  forty  there  iu 
I»<<'ember  \XT1."     i  Narrative,  vol.  i,  |iart  i.  )i.  '-'61.) 

'*  I'rom  all  sides  of  the  iirecijiitous  black  clifls  cataracts  fall  over  into  the  sea.  and 
water  is  tound  in  innnerous  jionds  all  over  the  t;rou|i.  The  islaiuls*  arc  frcipientt'd 
by  cli'phani-  and  fur  seals,  althouffh  these  are  not  so  (ilentifnlas  fornu'rly,  ami  as  there 
is  no  \;\v\\  of  water,  there  is  no  daiiner  of  shijiwrecked  mariners  dy  in  i';  of  star\af  inn. 
The  blubber  of  the  vdephant  seal  and  the  skins  of  ]>eni;nins,  with  tlie  adherent  fat, 
furnish  the  material  for  lire,  ami  the  llesh  of  the  seals  ami  birds,  the  (!jjus  of  the 
latter,  together  with  the  Ker<^uelen  cabbasic,  form  a  iiourishinijf  d ct,  on  whidi  the 
seabrs  rrsidiuj;  at  times  on  one  or  other  of  the  islands  have  usually  lived,  and  willi 
whi 'h  they  appear  lo  have  been  contented."     (Narrative,  vol.  i,  jiart  i,  ]i.  '.\'J.\.} 

"Two  of  the  wh.alinn  schooners  met  with  at  the  island  t  killed  over  seM'uty  fur- 
seals  on  one  day,  and  njiwardsof  twenty  on  another,  at  some  small  islands  off  Howe 
Island  to  the  iiorth.  It  is  ;i  pit\  that  some  discretion  is  not  <'xercised  in  killinj; 
the  animals,  as  is  done  in  St.  I'.iul  Island  in  Ibdirinj^  Sea  in  the  case  of  the  northern 
fur-seal,  liy  killini;- tlu'  youufi;  males,  and  selcctin<i;  certain  animals  onls  for  killin^i', 
the  numlf'r  of  seals  may  even  be  increased  ;  {  the  seab'rs  ,in  Ker^nelen  Island  kill  all 
they  can  lind."     (Narrative,  vol,  i,  ]iart  i,  p.  355.1 

"  In  ISllii,  when  Her  Majesty's  shi|)  '  Topa/e  '  called  at  the  island, i^^  there  were  only 
ten  inhabitants,  and  the  '  ( 'halleuiicr' ||  Ibiiud  forty  or  fifty  under  the  contrid  ot'  a 
Chilean,  who  ]iaid  '_'(I0/.  a  year  rent  to  the  Chilean  (iovevuuH'nt,,  ami  wlu)  had  a  few 
men  i  Iso  !it  .Mas  a-l"uera  island:  he  was  eiij;aj;ed  princijially  with  the  hunt  iuj;  of  the 
f'ir  .seals,"     (Narrative,  vol,  i,  part  ii,  (i,  SL'7.) 

'•The  steam  pinnace  iet't  Cray  llarbour^l  at  \  \.  i\i.  with  several  naturalists  and 
oIl'.itMs,  and  Jo  \wi\  the  ship  iu  the  eveniiiii  at  I'ort  (irap]der.  On  th<'  way,  laiidin;? 
W.lH  elfccted  at  scvei'al  spots,  and  a  number  of  birds  were  proi  iirctl ;  a  very  l.artje 
I'uniber  of  fur-seals  (  tiilorejihahiK)  were  seen,  and  six  were  shot,  the  skins  and  skele- 
tons of  whii  h  were  pre '.crved."     (Narral  ive,  vol,  i,  part  ii,  ji,  *^('i5.) 


"  Iu  the  narr.itive  of  the  voyny;e  it  is  statcil  that  fur-seals  frei|uented  Nifjhtintrale 
Isl.ind.  one  of  the  Trislau  da  Cunha  ij;idup:  the  Cro/et  Islands,  Kciuuelcii  Isl.iud, 
.In an  T'ernamle/,  the  Messier  Channel,  ami  Kli/abeth  Isl.ind,  in  t h"  Strait  of  Mai;el- 
lan,     Spcciiueus  of  eared  seals,  which  ilid  not   ])ossess  the  elonji.itcd  concave  palate 

'I'i'ozet  Isl.i'id-.  I'cn^uin  or  In  iccessi  lll(^  Island,  visited  bsTIi -74. 

t  Kernuelen  Island. 

t.l.  A.  AIU'U.      Thceir-d  seals.      Hull,  .Mns,  Couip,  Zoo!.,  vol.  ii,  pp.  1-88,  1870-71. 

vS  .liian  Fernande/. 

||\isiied  by  "  Challciiiicr,"  1S75. 

ii  \  iiMled  by  "Challenger,"  .Iiiiuary  l^Tl!. 


for  thi  lU'h- 
itf  cliiirt  liy 
,11,  (/i)p:ice, 


itoil  for  any 
\yu\ii  Id  seal 

I  IT  Majesty's 
ate  (ibserva- 

al,  enibodied 


Iter  Majesty^n 


;  11])  to  tliom, 
'f  tlic  ex)>etli- 
ils  were  very 
y  the  'I'ristaii 
even  seals  at 
loity  ttiere  in 

[)  the  sea.  ami 
IT  rre<nieii(('(l 
,-,  and  as  there 
)(■  Htaivatiiin. 
adherent  M, 
ejius  (iC  tho 
11  whieh  the 
d.  and  with 

:wi.) 

"sevi'nty  t'ur- 
idsnfl'  Howe 
.1  in  killinj; 
the  north<'rii 
y  for  Uillinji, 
Island  kill  all 

re  were  only 
control  ol'  a 
lo  had  a  few 
intiiijiof  tin* 

itiiralists  and 
way,  landiiifi 
a  very  larjfe 
ins  ami  skele- 


d  Nifihtiiiirale 

;iieleii  Island, 

ait  of  Mauel- 

oneave  palate 


SS,  1S70-71. 


RETORT    OF    IUUTI8II    COMMISSIONERS. 


253 


BO  clinraetrristie  of  the  j;eiiiiH  Olaiiii  in  the  sense  deliiied  on  p.  I.'!',  were  procured  from 
the  l\erj;nelen  ;;roiip  of  islands,  in  the  Messier  Chaiimd  on  the  west  coast  of  .><oiitli 
America,  and  from  .luan  I'ernande/.  They  consisted  of  the  following;  speeimeiiH 
from  Kerffiieleii :  two  carcases  (d' youn;;  fiir-seals  without  the  skin,  procured  from 
the  '  I'mimi  ,)ane  '  at  T'lilhir's  Harbour,  .laiiuary  1H74;  t  wo  skeletons  ot  fur-seals,  also 
at  l'"iiller'H  llarlioiir.  which  were  distinguished  from  each  other  as  No.  1  and  No.  L' 
(No.  2  having;  hce.i  killed  on  Swaiiuj  iMland).  From  tlie  .Messier  Channel  were 
obtained  the  skin  and  skeleton  of  a  male  and  the  skin  and  skeleton  of  a  feiiiale ;  also 
two  skeletons  of  males  slnd  on  rocks  in  .laniiary  IXlCi.  The  specimen  from  .hian 
I'orminde/  was  a  skin  eonlaining  the  skeleton  of  a  very  yoiinj;  animal."  (/oolo;;y, 
\  ol.  .\xvi,  part  l.wii,  p.  37.) 


182 


7. — Seuh  and  Scalhi;/  in  Xcw  /mlaiid. 


Throiifjh  the  kindness  of  Professor  T.  .F.  I'arker,  \'\  K.S.,of  the  I'liiversity  (d'Ofajjo, 
Diinedin,  New  ZeiUaml,  the  subjoined  interesting;  account  ol'  tlm  seal  tishcry  in  New 
Zeiiland,  written  at  his  re(|Uc8t,  Ins  lieen  furnished  by  .Mr.  p'redeiiek  Chapman. 
The  communication  is  in  tlie  form  of  a  letter  addressed  to  I'rofessor  I'.arker,  and  is 
dated  from  l>uiie<lin,  24tli  Se])tciiiber,  IH!M  : 

"  I  have  endeavoured  to  ^ct  some  delinite  iiiforiiiation  and  oritfinal  o|)iiiions  to 
enable!  you  to  answer  Mr.  (i.  liawson's  b'tter  of  tin*  28rd  .lime,  with  reference  to  the 
extirparon  of  our  seals,  but  the  only  ]»ersoii  1  could  think  of  as  ■  Id  eiiouj^h  to  .i;ive 
nH>  lirst-liand  information,  yet  not  too  old,  has  not  yet  answered  my  letter.  1  think, 
however,  that  from  a  j;'eneral  knowledj^e  of  the  traditions  and  litiraturt*  id' old  New 
/ealaud,  anil  from  books  at  my  command,  I  car-  give  you  somethinjj;  to  begin  with, 
and  I  will  try  iiiid  obtain  m»re. 

"Doubtless  Mr.  Dawson  has  access  to  a  pa]ier  on  the  fur-seal  of  N('w  Zealand,  by 
.1.  W.  Clarke,  in  tin;  I'rocecdingH  td'  the  Zoological  .Soiiety  for  l^iTo  (p.  ().")(!),  which 
is  in  your  Museum  library.  This  jiajier  gives  sonu!  inloresting  facts,  tlu*  veriticatimi 
of  whieh  I  bad  ])revioiisly  sought  for  years.  .\s  I  know  nothing  of  th(»  seals  in  Aus- 
tralian waters  beyond  tho  fact  that  they  were  once  numerous  in  the  islands  of  liass 
IStrait,  I  will  come  to  New  Zealand.  Seals  were  formerly  numerous  on  our  mainlaml. 
To  g<d  at  the  numbers  taken  hen!  early  in  tht!  century,  one  would  have  to  make 
ini|iiiries  of  olil  mi'icantilo  houses  in  Sydney,  London,  and  .\»iierica — the  Campbells, 
F.nderbys,  Ac,  if  any  (d  them  exist.  The  <dd  Maori  traditions  constantly  nd'er  to 
seals,  whieh  wcto  very  numerous  in  the  neij;liboiirhood  of  this  ]iort  two  centuries 
ago.  and  may  have  been  ]dciitiful  when  the  century  began.  The  rocky  west  coast  (d' 
this  island  was,  however,  the  home  of  nnnierons  seals,  and  a  few  are  still  killed 
there  in  (piiet  jdaces.  There  was  a  beautiful  colony  at  the  Steejdes,  close  to  tlii! 
Westport  lighthouse,  but  when  the  (iovernment  o) uned  a  season  for  scaling,  a  few 
months  since,  a  jiarty  went  out  in  a  boat  from  Westjiort  and  butchered  them.  That 
was  already  regarded  as  ii  past  i)lace  for  sealing  when  lUiinncr  exploreil  that  coast 
by  land  in  \M6.  thongh  lirunner  saw  a  few  seals  there.  It  had  c\  idcntly  icvi .  '.mI  in 
our  time.  The  coasts  of  Fovea ux  .strait  and  tho  west  const  swarmed  with  sealers 
early  in  this  century,  and  there  were  some  on  the  west  coast  about  Dusky  Sound 
even  earlier.  They  were  shore  parties,  w  ho  bagged  the  seals  in  great  iiiiiult^rs.  Dr. 
Shortland,  who  visited  Mr.  .lones' whaling  station  at  W'aikonaiti,  lO  miles  from  here, 
in  IK  12,  fre(iiiently  lefers  to  the  sealing,  biiti  rather  as  a  past  mattiy.  Our  whales  were 
I)retty  w(dl  exterminated  by  1850,  and  had  e\en  then  huig  been  scarce,  and  a  writer 
ten  years  before  that  repeats  the  jirotcsts  of  tho  I'rcneli  whalers,  who  were  nnmer- 
ous  here,  against  the  disastrous  jiractice  of  the  .Sydney  |ieo|de,  wl  o  maintained  shore 
statioriS,  and  so  utterly  destroyed  the  whales.  It  is  diflicult  to  realize  that  in  ISIIi 
there  were  fourti'cn  whale  ships  lying  in  this  jiort,  with  all  their  bo.its  out  d;iily, 
and  four  shore  stations  in  active  openition,  in  face  of  the  fa<  t  that  during  the  nine- 
teen years  I  have  lived  her'c  only  one  wliali'  has  been  killed.  I  h!ivt>  dign  ssed  I'loin 
the  seals,  but  the  fact  of  the  whale  explains,  and  more  than  explains,  that  of  tli« 
seal. 

"Captain  Turiibull,  whose  book  I  have  never  seen,  writes  in  1810  of  ■ir),()fl(»  seals 
taken  at  the  Fiji  Islands.  We  don't  hear  of  seals  there  now.  It  is  (|iiite  jiossibie 
that  that  locality  ^vas  mentioiuid  to  lead  otluirs  olf  the  scent.  At  .Macfpiarie  Island 
the  discoverers  killed  in  one  si'ason  80.0(i()  fursealsl  Our  friend  Professor  Scott 
visited  it  ten  yc  ,'irs  ago.  and  was  told  the  fur  seal  ncvi  r  came  there.  I''.ver  sine  e  then 
it  has  b(!cn  o(  iiiiiied  by  sea-cle|ihaiit  hunters,  but  no  t'lir-scal  e\  er  \  isits  theiii.  I  his 
suggests  that  the  tiir-scals  do  not  come  U]i  firm  the  \ntarcti('  ice,  as  tlu!  sea  elephant 
<lo.  Ciimiibell  Island  was  repeatedly  oceiipied  by  sealing  parties,  some  of  whose 
graves  lire  seen  there  .\ntipodes  Islaml  \v;is  occii|)ied  in  IK2I,  and  I  do  not  know 
how  much  earlier  or  later.  Captain  I'aircliild,  of  the  N(<w  Zealand  (iovci  unient 
steamer,  in  four  or  l.vi'  visits  has  never  seen  a  seal  there.      The  .\uckland  Islands,  the 


2fA 


KliroliT    OF    lilUTlSII    rOMMI«.SI()M;KS. 


liir^it'st  uronp,  luivc*  liecii  visitcil  repeatedly  diiiiiij;  tli<!  last  eii^lity  yours,  anil  muner- 
oiis  .sliiire  ]!!irties  liavo  lived  there.  On  tin;  Sii;ile.s,  seiileiN  lints  Ktill  Hiaiid.  'I'lio 
t'oa.st.s  of  Stewart's  Island  have  yielded  larijje  niiniliers  ol'  weals. 

"Tlio  Hev.  Will.  Vate,  a  niiH,>(i()nary,  in  1)^L'?<-H5,  alter  de.scribin;;  the  enornion.s 
iininher  of  whales  destroyed  (Mack  or  inshon;  whales)  writes:  ''I'lnirii  are  also  sev- 
eral estaldishnients  for  the  seal  lisht.'ry  on  the  coast  of  New  Zealand  or  on  tlii!  small 
islands  in  the  vi<'inity  of  the  eoast.  A  niimher  of  sailors  are  landed  and  h'ft  to  kill 
and  skin  the  seals,  many  thousands  of  which  are  destroyed  in  the  course  of  a  few 
months.'  Earlier  than  tliis,  in  1X15,  the  Rev.  ,S.  Marsdeii,  the  first  missionary  in  New 
Zealand,  writes  narrating;  the  adventures  of  the  Maori  Chief  Diraterra  and  ten  'I'ahi- 
iians  and  ten  Knrojieans  who  were  i)laced  as  a  seaiiii}^  party  on  the  Hoiinty  Islands. 
They  snlfered  j;reat  privations,  hut  in  a  few  nionilis,  on  sixteen  rocks  with  a  total 
area  (d'  ahout  100  acres  without  vegetation  or  water,  killed  ami  skinned  ><,00()  seals. 
'I'his  is  enuu}{h  to  show  you  that  once  these  places  were  densely  peopled  with  seals. 
The  (Jhatham  Islands  were  another  sealiiij;  j;roniid.  but  of  them  I  know  very  little. 
All  this  relates  to  matters  which  happened  so  Ion;;-  a;^o  that  seahrs  are  a  dead  race, 
while,  as  yon  know,  whalers  who  came  later  or  lasted  lonj;er  are  only  re)iresente(l 
by  a  very  few  old  men.  As  lor  middle-aged  natives  likt!  myself,  we  heard  in  our 
youth  of  whales,  but  not  of  seals. 

"Sealing  has  been  closed  for  a  good  many  yars,  before  which  the  Maoris  of  Hiv- 
ertoii  usetl  t(»  visit  the  west  eoast  and  get  a  f'  w,  and  though  poaching  never  wludly 
8to)i|MMl,  it  did  not  jiay  very  well.  This  year  a  sapient  (ioverninent  has  o]»eiied  a 
season,  and  two  vessels  have  been  sent  to  the  islands.  One  rejiorts  getting  150  from 
the  Chathams  and  Houiitys,  and  the  other  l.^tO  from  the  Auckland,  but  there  is  some 
underhand  work  over  it,  and  more  may  have,  been  got,  as  tlm  crew  are  accused  of 
stealing  adO  skins.  This  is  by  far  the  largest  take  for  many  years,  and  has,  I  think, 
iibont  linished  the  fur-seal  in  New  Zealand  waters. 

"  I  visited  live  groups  of  islands  last  year  in  the  siininier,  and  saw  one  fur-seal,  and 
from  this  and  other  facts  coueliided  that  they  were  very  scarce  now. 

"Now,  as  to  the  cause  of  this,  there  is  but  (Uie  answer.  Reckless  killing  ami  dis- 
turbance in  the  rookeries.  Mr.  Dawson  need  nottroul)le  himself  about  judagic  seal- 
ing. There  is  not  and  never  was  such  a  thing  in  these  waters.  Voii  could  not 
183  have  it  in  our  wide  and  angry  sea.  Calm  days  are  almost  luikiiown  where  you 
get  south  of  New  Zealand,  and  I  never  heard  df  seals  being  seen  in  the  oi)en 
ocean.  Certain  it  is  that  ocean  sealing  is  and  alwa\s  has  been  an  unknown  thing 
here. 

"In  December  1W7  some  very  interesting  articles  apjM^ared  in  the  'Melbourne 
.Argus'  on  '  I'he  .Sealers  at  Work,'  by  a  man  who  was  shi])wreckcd  in  the  '  Derry 
Castle'  at  the  Auckland  Islands,  and  rescued  by  seal  jioachers.  I  have  tried  to  get 
these  papers,  but  tlioy  are  out  of  jiriiit.  lie  describes  the  modiiK  oprruiuli.  They 
carry  a  long  ropt;  and  lower  one  of  the  ])arty  over  the  cliffs  hundreds  of  feet  high. 
He  gets  off  at  the  mouth  of  the  cave  where  the  seals  lie,  and  cuts  off  their  retreat, 
lie  then  ]trocee(ls  to  club  them,  and  send  up  their  skins  by  tin;  rojie.  This  is  done 
because^  it  is  so  dangerous  to  ])nt  in  a  boat  on  this  o]ieii  coast  with  a  fearful  sea  riiii- 
liiiig.  The  whales,  so  enoiinously  plentiful  i)rior  to  1H40,  are.  as  I  have  said,  almost 
extinct.  This  is  due  to  slaughtering  tlieiii  in  the  breeding  bays,  and  to  the  occupa- 
tion of  these  bays  asshiiiping  ixuls.  '1  he  off-shon!  whale  (sperm  wh.ile)  is  still  lively, 
though  greatly  reducetl  in  nunibcrs.  Disturbance,  as  you  know,  is  as  great  a 
destroyer  as  aitiial  killing.  1  believe  it  will  ])ay  our  (Joveriiment  some  day  to 
restore  the  seal  lishevies.  It  would  be  interesting  to  exiieriment  with  northern  seals, 
as  they  might  mrgrate,  and  so  peojile  the  islands  and  coasts,  while  the  facts  I  have 
mentioned,  and  the  direct  testimony  of  Captiiin  Fairchild,  who  assures  nie  that  this 
is  the  case,  seem  to  show  that  ours  keep  very  niiicli  to  the  iiati\-e  spot.  If  1  can  see 
('ajitain  Fairchild  I  will  get  some  fiirtlii'r  facts  from  him.  I  think  Filliol  could  give 
Mr.  Dawson  some  information,  as  he  told  me  a  great  deal  about  seals  when  he  was 
here,  which  1  have  forgotten. 

"Ibis  is  about  all  I  can  tell  yoti  at  present.  Of  this  I  am  certain,  that  unless  the 
Amerii'Mu  seal  fisheritss  are  subjected  to  some  kind  of  nianag(inient,  they  will  follow 
the  fate  of  ours,  tlioiigh  it  will  take  longer  to  effect  it  in  their  case." 


^,  —  F.xlvart  fnim    l.vttn-  from    liaynii   Xdnlciitilciold   tn    l>r.    /^rorscii,  dalcil   Stockhohn, 

iSviiltmhir ..',  ISHl. 

My  ])crsonal  experience  about  the  higher  aninial  life  iti  the  Hchring  Sea  is  very 
limited,  and  all  the  inforniation  1  could  collect  you  will  find  in  Chapters  Xl\'  and  XV 
of  the  second  volume  of  the  "  \'ega  \'ovag<',"  which  work,  jicrhaps,  can  be  nsef'ul  to 
you  by  my  references  to  the  older  lifeiature.  to  which  I  h;id  a  fuller  access  fliiin  any 
of  th(^  )irevioiis  authors  on  tlie  subject,  'i'he  collections  of  in\  ertebrates  lironyht 
from  the  Heliring  Sea  and  the  adjacent  part  of  the  I'olar  Sea  by  thescieutilic  staff 
of  the  "  Vega''  wore  very  large. 


ml  iiuiiur- 
iiml.    'I'lio 

IMlorllHUlH 

('  uIko  sev- 
1  tlic,  hiiimII 
left  to  kill 
m  of  a  I'tfNV 
iry  in  Ni'W 
I  ten  Tiilii- 
(,v  Isliinils. 
:itll  il  totiil 
8,0(10  Koals. 
with  souls, 
very  little, 
(lead  nice, 
■e|H(^8enteil 
iiiitl  in  our 

DIMS  of  Hiv- 
'ver  wholly 
,s  (>i)ene(l  a 
Ufi  150  from 
icre  is  some 
1  a«'cnse(l  of 
las,  I  think, 

lur-seal,  and 

inij  and  dis- 
|ieia,L;ic  .seal- 
lu  lonld  not 
n  where  yoii 
in  th(^  o\)cn 
powu  tiling 

'  Melhonnie 

the  '  Derry 

tried  to  j^et 

■iitiili.     'I'hey 

|)f  feet  high. 

heir  vetieat. 

riiis  is  ilone 

•fill  sea  rnn- 

K;iid,  almost 

tlie  occiipa- 

s  still  lively, 

as  ijreat  a 
lonie  day   to 

tliern  seals, 
facts  I  have 
me  that  this 

If  I  can  see 
d  could  fiive 
when  ho  waa 

lit  unless  the 
will  follow 


i 


KEl'ORT    OF    HKITIHII    ('<  >MM1SSH  >XKKS.  255 

9. — (>li-irn-<itiiins  on  SeaHiifi  hi  (he  Soiilhcrn  Ifeminplurr  In  Ihr  iintri  /,?7-7-7fi. 

In  addition  to  the  notes  contained  in  the  puhlished  volumes  nliitiMn  lo  tiie  ''('lial- 
Icniter  "  cx|iedil  ion,  .Mr.  .lohn  Mnrraj' lias  lieen  so  kind  as  to  liiinish  I  lie  fidlowin^ 
iiiloriiiatioii : 

" 'CllAM.E\(ii;K'    K.VI'EDITIO.V    OKKICK,    15,  FlM'.DKliK  K    STIilKT, 

"  luliiihiniili,  Sriiteiiihrr   '.'.   IS9/. 

"I)i"..\i!  Siu:  I  have  heen  from  home  for  sonu'  tinu>,  otherwise  your  letter  of  tiie 
2nil  ,luly  would  have  l>ceii  answered  lon;r  liefore  this. 

"  I  fear  1  have  very  little  information  to  convey  witli  reforoiice  to  the  seal  (ishcries 
of  the  Hoiilli.  All  the  fiir-seals  that  we  lUfumreil  were  killed  on  land,  and  it  was  the 
haliit  of  llie  seal-lisliers  we  met  thus  to  ca|itnre  all  tlitiir  ani.ials.  We  saw  very  few 
seals  far  fidin  their  hrecdin;i  places.  We  saw  only  three  or  fouron  the  soiithi'in  ice. 
All  the  scal-fisheis  we  eucoiinterrd  in  the  south  were  from  Now  Loudon,  I'.S.  A.  In 
our  time  there  were  no  Australians  en;;agcd  in  the  trade.  There  were  iiumense 
numluM's  of  sea-elephants  killed  every  \ear  on  I.on;^  Meach  at  Herd  Island.  Men 
wintered  there  for  the  piir[)ose  of  killinj;  them  when  they  came  on  shore  in  tliecarly 
s|iriug.  We  saw  the  sealers  kill  twenty-four  fur  seals  one  day  hy  hindiiiif  on  .Swain's 
Islanils  where  they  were  hrct^diiiji. 

"We  found  that  some  lursealin<;  was  doin' at  the  I'^alkhuid  Islands.  Yim  could 
pet  information  as  to  the  iircsent  state  of  the  trade  hy  addiessiuii  a  letter  to  ^!r. 
Jieans,  .'Stanley  llarhour,  l''alklaiids,  or  you  ini,<;ht  address  a  letter  direct  to  the 
Governor  of  the  islands. 

"Trusting  that  you  will  have  had  a  pleasant  trip  to  the  west,  yours,  iVc. 

(.•Signed)  "'.John  Miukay." 


10. — Ueport  of  Kxnminaiion  of  Scnl  I'lip,  Ixj  Or.  (Uinlltir,  I''.  II.  iS.,  I!rili>'h  .^fKKiiim. 

The  1)11)1  fur-seal  suhmittod  to  my  examination  was  lahelled  "'  Found  dead  on  north- 
east rook(!ry,  St.  rani's  Island,  5th  .\ugust,  ISOl.'' 

1.  Its  lengl  11  from  end  of  nose  to  root  of  tail !.';{  inches :  umhilical  cord  closed  at  its 
distal  end;  milk-dentitioii  jiorlectly  grown.     Appari'iit  ai;»M)f  animal  ahoiit  17  days. 

2.  Fur  in  ))erfect  oider;  no  signs  of  external  oriiilernal  mechauical  injury.  Hody 
well  nourished,  with  a  lair  amount  ot  iat  in  the  siiheiitaneous  tissue;  no  fat  ahont 
th*i  ahdominal  organs. 

H.  Organs  of  digestion  ami  otlu'r  alidominaJ  organs  healthy.  Stomach  entirely 
em|)ty,  with  the  exccjitiou  of  a  smooth  hiack  pyramidal  pehhle,  si/e  of  a  small  hem, 
and  of  two  or  throe  very  small  eorrodcd  pehhies;  int(^stine  empty,  with  some  slight 
aeeumulaliiMis  of  mucus  in  various  ])arts.  The  animal  could  not  have  taken  any  sns- 
tenanet!  for  at  least  two  or  three  days  htd'ore  its  death. 

•I.  The  chest  had  not  heen  oj)ene<l,  conse(|uently  i)artia]  decomposition  had 
181  set  in  hefwre  the  preservative  lluid  could  act  upon  flu;  organs.  It  is  therefnio 
difliciilt  to  distinguish  hetween  ])alhologicaI  signs  and  post-mortem  appear- 
ances. Hut  so  much  is  ('(U'taiii,  that  the  lungs  were  in  an  inllammatory  ciuidition, 
especiclly  at  the  hase  of  the  right  lung.  The  iiillanimation  extended  also  solium  way 
up  tiio  wind-pi]»e,  the  mucous  memhrane  of  which  was  covered  with  a  granular 
dep<«Kit  in  the  jiortion  alVectcMl. 

5.  liolh  the  ahseue(»  of  food  as  well  as  tht;  condition  of  the  res])iratory  organs  are 
siilticieut  to  aceonnt  for  the  death  of  the  animal;  hut  which  of  the  two  was  the  jiri- 
mary  cause  preceding  the  other  is  iiti])ossihle  to  say. 

<>.  A  small  and  thin  neinatoid  woiin,  from  1  to  li  inches  long,  was  found  in  cou- 
siderahle  nuniliers  in  the  lower  hall' of  the  smaller  intestines;  one  siieiimeii  )o,  )ier- 
haps,  every  2  inches  of  intestine.  They  could  not  have  caused  aii,\  inconveniciue 
to  the  animal,  and,  in  fact,  there  Avas  not  the  slightest  sign  of  irritation  in  tho 
mucous  memhrane. 

(Signed)  A.  (ii  .Nriii;i!,  .)/.  I). 

IJku'i.sii  Mvsevm,  .fuHiKirn  :.'i!,  IS!)?. 


U  Slockhohn, 


Sea  IS  very 
IXLV  and  XV 

ho  useful  to 
rss  than  any 
ites  hroiight 
tieutilic  statt" 


11. — Questions  in  regard  to  Shceii  in  the  llnidhKi  Season,  kiiidhi  (insircntl  Inj  Sir  Somurl 

llilsoil,   .)/.'  /•. 

1.  Is  it  common  and  easy  to  make  ewes  su(d<le  other  tnves' lamlis  .' — Yes,  It  can 
be  elTecled  l>y  ])uttiug  the  skin  of  the  I'we's  dead  lamh  on  the  lamh  she  is  desired  to 
adopt,  or  hy  holding  hi'r  and  getting  tho  lamh  to  suck  her  for  a  few  days,  \\  hen  she 
will  take  to  it  as  if  her  own  jirogcuy. 

2.  Is  it  al)s(diiti'ly  certain  that  lanihs  always  know  their  own  mothers,  and  nevi^i 
get  milk  from  any  other  mother  unless  forced  to  do  so  hy  man  ? — F\\ cs  always  kno\i 


256 


RKPORT    OF    JlKITIsn    COMMISSIONRRS. 


tlu'ir  own  lamlm  liy  Hinrllin;;  tliniii.  A  ewe  will  not  allow  ji  HtniiiKc  liiiiil)  to  suck 
liur  It'  slic  imtici's  it,  lint  .soinrtiiiii's  a  liiiiili  not  Iht  own  iniiv  roinc  np  on  the  otlicr 
sidt!  while  shf  is  siickiin;;  luT  own  iainli,  and  nia,v  nnimt  ict'd  liy  lu-r  nnitk  Iht  tor  a 
tinii'. 

Tiicrt^  Mi'e  niotlii'i  less  lanilis  wliicli  ait  almnt  in  this  way,  and  manage  to  live  by 
wlial  liit'.v  ran  stciil,  and  Ilu«  <iH»'U  ;;rass,  wliicii  tiii-y  can  soon  (li;;t;8t,  even  wlu'U  a 
lew  da.\  s  (dd. 

Lainiis  at  a  vtr\  caiiy  aj^e  do  not,  I  Miink,  laiow  tlifii'  own  mothers,  lint  will  i-nn 
np  to  any  ewo  Idealinii  tor  the  lanili,  and  try  to  stick  her,  when  the  ewe  at  onco 
knows  ir  it  lie  her  ow  n  lamli,  and  if  not  drives  it  away.  Oldt^' lanilis  know  their 
dams  liy  the  voiee. 

;t.  Is  it  nsnal  to  load  ewes  aceidentally  ile|irived  of  lamlis  lo  snckle  other  laiiilis, 
whether  one  ni'  twins,  or  liaviiij;  lost  their  mothers^ — Where  tlio  lueed  is  valn;ihl<>, 
all  lanilis  are  '' inolhered  "  loewe.s  tiial  have  lost  tlioir  own,  and  .soin<^tinio,s  ono  of 
twins  is  pill  (o  a  ewe  that  has  lo.-t  her  lamli. 

I'iWes  laniliinj^  at  larf;o  in  jiaddocks,  however,  aro  left  to  do  as  instinct  directs, 
and  fewer  himlis  in  proportion  are  roared  than  when  well  cared  for. 

•1.  If  so,  what  are  the  me.asiires  adoidcil? — I'nltin^  inothcrh^sH  laiiihs  or  one  of 
twins  to  a  ewe  whiih  has  lost  her  lanilt. 

.").  How  many  ewes  will  one  ram  servo  ell'ectively  in  the  season,  .'lud  how  lon^ 
does  the  season  last  f—(  )rdinarily  one  ram  is  put  to  fifty  ewes  riinnin;^  at  lar;;o  in 
]iaddo(d\S,  liiit  a  ram  that  is  well  fed,  and  only  allowed  to  servo  a  owe  onco,  may  {jet 
2(10  lamlis  in  a  season. 

K'ams  are  usually  kept  with  the,  ewes  si\  or  seven  weeks. 

(!.  Do  the  rams  t>,at  as  nineli,  and  the  usual  food,  dnriiij;  the  rutting;  season? — The 
rams  I'at  as  usual  when  sorvinj;;  the  ewes.  Iiiit  fall  olf  in  condition  owin;;  to  riinnin<; 
about  after  the  ewes.  If  fed  artificially  besides  the  natural  pasture  they  would,  I 
think,  consiiino  more  food  w hi h;  serviiiji;  the  owes  than  at  other  times,  but  this  I 
have  not  tested. 

7.  What  is  the  proportion  of  male  to  female  lambs  bornT^Tlie  proportions  aro 
.'ibout  e(|ual  as  a  rule.  In  some  cases  there  is  a  very  considerable  dilVtu'ence,  tho 
causes  beinj;  imperfoctly  understood,  (lid  rams  put  lo  yonn;;;  ewes  an;  said  to  jiro- 
duce  amiich  lar;;er  jiroportion  of  ewe  lambs,  but  I  li.ave,  not  endeavoured  toalter  the 
proportions  of  the  sexes  of  tho  progeny,  and  cannot  speak  t'rom  experience  in  this 
matter. 

(.Signed)  SAMi'Et,  Wir.siiN. 

r.  S. — 80  per  cent,  is  considered  a  ^ood  average  increase  in  merino  ewes. 
A  (lock  of  ewes  with  caicfiil  management  may  doiilile  their  numbers  every  two 
and  a-lialf  vears  for  a  ccmsiderable  time  under  l'a\  tiiiraldc  conditions. 

S.  W. 


12. — Lctli'i/ioiii  r.arl  /Iniiniloir  on  Ihv  yi(hjfrt  of  l)ivv  in  the  Unrdiiiij  Seosou. 


8,  ('Aiii.TdN  llmsK  TKHitACK,  London,  Maj/  S,  JS!).?. 

Dkak  Sill  fiKdiKii'; :  I  am  very  glad  to  give  you  any  information  in  my  power  about 
the  habits  of  deer  in  the  Ibitish  Isles  both  in  a  wild  and  tamo  state.  This  inf(M-ina- 
tioii  I  have  gained  in  a  great  degree  from  personal  oliservation,  liiit  the  details  of 
man.'igement  of  tamo  doer  in  a  |iark  I  have  ]iartly  obtained  from  my  park-keeper, 
who  is  a  man  of  very  great  experience,  and  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  subject. 

The  habils  of  doer  dillor  very  little  in  a  tamo  or  wild  stale. 

A  stag  is  in  his  prime  at  about  12  years  old,  and  a  hind  at  about  9  years  old. 

Supposing  that  the  stock  in  a  park  consists  of  100  dec^r. 

There  slidiild  bo  forty  stags  to  sixty  hinds.  Tlireo  stags  shoiiltl  bo  killed  each 
year  at  12  years  old,  leaving  a  margin  of  four  for  loss  and  accident,  and  six  hinds  at 
9  years  old,  leaving  a.  margin  of  six  for  loss  or  accident.     I'rom  sixty  hinds   you 

would  probalily  get  from  twenty-live  to  thirty  calves  each  year. 
185  The  breeding  season  begins  about  the  20th  September,  and  lasts  till  late  in 

Octolior. 

During  this  tiino  tho  stags  eat  very  little.  In  a  wild  state  they  begin  to  oat  white 
lichen  oil'  the  rocks  (MM-ly  in  October.  If  you  kill  »  stag  then  you  will  (ind  the  grass 
in  his  stomach  mixed  with  lichen,  and  later  there  will  bo  no  grass,  and  only  a  hand- 
ful of  liclu'ii.  In  a  p?irk  where  they  cannot  get  licdieu  they  will  rush  into  the  water, 
and  suck  the  green  vegetation  from  tho  surface.  Thoy  soon  get  thin  and  poor,  and 
when  the  skin  is  removed  the  llesh  is  red,  without  fat,  with  an  oll'ensivo  smell. 
They  art!  then  <iuite  unlit  for  food.  They  take  po  rest,  and  spend  all  their  time  iu 
hunting  and  keeping  logether  their  hinds. 

A  stag  will  liavo  with  iiim  any  niiniberof  hinds  from  two  or  three  to  thirty. 


to  suck 
lie  (itluT 
\\vr  I'oi-  a 

i>  live  l>y 
1  wIh'U  :i 

will  run 
1  at  once 
low  tlu'lr 

ar  lanilis, 
valnal>l<>, 
lOH  olio  of 

it  rtirectM, 

or  Olio  of 

how  Ion;; 
,t  iaiK"!  ill 
B,  may  gut 

son?— Til" 
h)  iimiiinj; 

y  wolllil,  I 

but  this  I 

)rtioiiH  aro 
urciict',  tlio 
aiil  to  in-D- 
toalttT  tlie 
ncc  ill  this 

Wilson. 

ovi'iy  two 

S.  W. 


1,1  S,  JS9.?. 
lower  about 
lis  iiir<>riiiii- 

e  details  of 
[uk-ki-eper, 

blio  subject. 

Is  oM.  •« 

killt'd  oiich 

liix  hiiitls  iit 

hinds   you 

till  lato  in 

Ito cat  white 
kd  the  srass 
July  a  iiaud- 
I)  the  water, 
ll  poor,  and 
lisivo  smell. 
Jieir  time  iu 

Ihirly. 


RF.rOWT    or    IMMTISH    ro>rMISSI()NKRfl. 


257 


At  r>tlii>r  times  of  the  year  tilt'  sta^^s  and  hinds  keep  separate  in  small  lit  rds,  the 
very  yoiin;^  sta;;s  kef|iiiijf  w  ilii  tiie  hiiuls. 

A  hind  ii  IS  tine  ealt'  as  a  rule,  wliieli  is  borii  about  May. 

The  stag's  east  their  linriis  every  year,  anti  will  eat   I  he  niil   litirns  if  they  eaii  j;et 
them  toHiijiply  lime  tor  the  growth  id'  the  m-w  limn. 

Althoii;;h  a  ;;i'eat  deal   niiL;lit    be   written   on  this  Mibjei't,  no  other  inlormatioii 
stiikes  me  wliifli  woiiltl  be  likely  to  be  of  aiiy  as.-dstanee  to  you  in  your  i!it(uiry. 
1  remain,  iVc. 

,    (Signed)  liKOWNI.UW. 


I'.i. — Memorandum  on  Ihv  I'hur  of  the  /''nr-Sdil  in  lUv.  I'luHxiJittilion  of  Mnmrnalia,  hi/ 
I'lofcuHor  Flinvtr,  ('.  II.,  F.  Ii.  >'.,  hinchir  of  the,  XtilKrdI  llinlori)  Ihixtrtmcnt.H,  Uritisk 
Mnm'um. 

All  the  animals  eoniuionly  spoken  of  nn  seals  arti  iliviiled  into  two  very  distinct 
j^roupH: 

(/(.)  The  true  seals  (/'/lociV/oK  ilistin^nishetl  mainly  liy  haviiif;  no  I'xternal  ears, 
and  by  not  iiHin<r  tlu-ir  hind  limbs  when  'valkiii^  on  laiiil. 

(/'.)  The  earetl  seals  ( O^oiir/d),  often  ealleil  M-a-Jions  or  sea-Iiears,  wliieli  have 
small  external  ears,  anil  whieh,  when  mi  lanti,  snp|iort  themselves  and  walk  on  the 
sides  of  their  hinil  as  well  as  their  I'oif  limbs. 

None  id'  tlui  first  nametl  fj;roiip  have  tho  lino  under-fiir  whieh  makes  the  skin  of 
some  of  the  sjieeies  of  t  he  seeonil  <^roup  siieh  a  vahialdo  art  ieli^  of  commerie;  it  is 
therefore  not  neeessary  t()  spt^ak  further  of  them  in  tlit!  present  U'ejioit. 

Tp  to  the  year  IXll!  both  y,roiips  ot'  seals  were  iinlndiMl  untler  the  ;;eneri(!  name  of 
/•/locrt  (LiniiM'iis),  but  in  that  year  the  oared  seals  werc^  separated  by  I'eron'  from 
the  others,  under  the  name  of  Olaria,  a  name  whieh  zoolo;;ists,  whose  teniieniies  in 
iiuestimisof  nomenelatnre  art!  conservative,  still  retain  for  the  whole  j;roiii).t  ( )tliers 
have  divided  it  up  into  nearly  as  many  jfcm^ia  as  there  aiti  species,  t'miiided  on  trilliiif; 
modirications  of  the  teet  h  and  skull  and  the  len«;tli  of  the  ears,  ami  thus  such  names 
as  Arclucejihahis,  t'aUorh'utnK,  i'.uotaria,  Zaloplius,  i'.amvtojiio^,  I'liovarvlox,  IJoLintiiH, 
Nfoplioco.  Arelopliocit,  ami  (li/iisophord  occur  as  jfcneric  appellations  of  various  ineiii- 
bers  of  the  family  in  zooloi^ical  treatises  on  thi^  subject. 

As  the  various  aulhivrs  who  have  made  a  special  stiiily  of  this};roni)  of  animals  do 
not  afj;ree  as  to  the  relative  imiiortanct^  of  the  characters  u])tin  which  these  distinc- 
tions are  fonndetl,  there  is  much  dill'erence  of  opinion  as  to  tlie  extent  anil  limits  of 
those  so-calleil  jfciieric  divisions,  ami  coiiseijueiitly  as  to  the  name  to  be  applied  to 
many  of  the  species,  henei!  the  confusion  of  iiomenelature  whieh  is  obvious  to  any 
one  wlut  compares  the  ditl'ereiit  moiio;;raplis  and  treatises  on  the  natural  history  of 
the  seals. 

Hesidos  the  difiieulties  as  to  the  most  appro]triato  names,  there  are.  others  whieh 
arise  fnunour  if;norance  of  tlii'  animals  lhemsil\  cs,  csptcially  the  distinetiv(5  charac- 
ters anil  {jeoj^raphieal  distribution  of  the  various  s]iocies.  The  number  of  s]iecies  is 
not  even  accurately  determined,  as  variations  due  to  sex,  aj^e,  or  seaMin  have  often 
been  mistaken  for  those  due  to  specilic  distinctions.  Inileed,  until  more  complete 
materials  are  collected  in  our  musennis,  inclndinij  skins,  skeletons,  and  skulls  of 
animals  of  both  sexes  anil  varimis  af^es,  and  from  ditl'erent  and  well-rtscortletl  locali- 
ties, a  complete  zoolo<^ical  mononiapli  of  the  family  will  be  imimssible. 

Till!  common  practical  distinction  between  "  hair  seals"  and  "  fur-seals,"  or  those 
whieh,  in  addition  to  the  stilV,  close,  hairy  coverinf^  common  to  all  tlit^  grou|).  ]iossess 
an  exceedinjfly  fine  deii>e  woolly  nnder-fur,  does  not  coincide  with  di\  isions  based 
oil  other  ami  nimi'  important  structural  characters.  Thou;;li  all  true  seals  (  I'hochhv) 
are  "hair-seals,"  some  of  tlu^  Olariido'  are  ''hair-seals,"  and  others  •'  fur-seals."  It 
is  the  skins  of  the  latter,  when  dressed  anil  ileprived  of  the  longer,  harsh,  outer 
hairs,  which  constitute  the  "seal-skins"  of  commerce  so  much  valued  for  wearintf 
aji[)arel. 

In  habits  all  the  Oianido,  whether  hair-sl'als  or  fur-seals,  a])pearto  b(<  miicli  alike. 
As  miiiht  be  inferreil  from  their  ]tower  of  walkiii};;  on  all  fours,  they  are  better  cajiable 
of  locomotion  on  shore,  iinil  ranji'e  inland  to  j;'reater ilistamt's  than  the  true  seals  at 
the  breediiif;  season,  thminh  even  then  they  areal  ways  oblijicil  to  return  to  the  water 
to  seek  their  food,  and  the  rest  of  the  year  is  mainly  spent  in  the  ii|>en  sea  far  away 
from  land.  They  are  fiit^^arimis  and  |iidy<ianiiius,  anti  the  adult  males  are  usually 
much  laij^er  than   the  femalts.     They  are  wiilely  disi  libuted,  especially  in  the  tem- 


*  "Voyage  anx  Terres  Australes,"  vol,  ii,  ]>.  37. 

t  I'Mower  ami  l.vitekker:  "Introduction  to  the  History  of  Mammals,  Living  and 
Extiuct,  18!)l,"p.59:J, 

B  S,  I'T   VI 17 


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23  WESTMm^hSI'oVT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M5B0 

(7)6)  873-4S03 


0 


258 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


|i«trute  rnsiniiH  of  botli  liemmpliercs,  tlion^h  tlicir  entire  abHence  from  the  North 
AMmitii-  isiiiiittowditliy  furl.  No  OUxria  hii8i'v<'r  liccn  foiiiid  either  on  tho  Kuropeau, 
ACricuii,  or  AiniTicjui  hIiok-h  of  tliat  ocj-iiii  iiortli  of  llio  Kcpiator. 

Ko  far  UH  '\h  yot  I^ikiwd,  tiiicii  spcrifH  Iuih  a  tU'tinit«an(l  liiiiittxl  area  of  Reo^ra])hicnl 
ilistribution  boyoml  which  it  iicvi^r  waiidi-is.  In  this  respitct  they  follow  an  alniont 
uiiivcrHiil  law  of  Natiirr.applii-aliji^  to  botli  aniinalaaud  plitnts,  although  the  causea 

of  this  limitation  art>,  in  nnist  caticH,  extremely  obscure. 
IW  Tho  ciiances  of  aci-uriite  ot)ser\ations  upon  the  movements  of  marine  ani- 

malH  ure  so  Huiall  that  wo  are  still  and  |irobably  Hliall  lon^  remain  in  conHidor- 
iible  i^jnorance  as  to  the  exact  pi-Iii;;ic  ranye  of  many  of  the  specicH,  bnt  as  they  always 
spend  some  months  on  siiorc  every  year  diiriuu  tho  l)reedinj{  scison,  and  as  the  nnm- 
lier  of  localities  snit:il>le  lor  this  pifpose  is  limited,  tho  r.nast  ransie  of  each  species 
should  lieascertiiinod  with  atoleralile  amount  of  ]>recisiou  when  a  siitlhient  number 
of  reliable  data  are  olitainable.  This  cannot  be  said  to  be  the  case  at  jiresent,  owinjj 
to  the  dilliciilty  of  discrimiiiutinK  the  spocies  from  the  casual  external  observatiiins 
of  uiiinstrucled  seamen  upon  whose  information  wo  have  mainly  to  rely. 

'riiese  remarks  apply  cliielly  to  the  species  inhaldtlnj;  the  .Southern  Hemisphere. 
AVith  regard  to  those  of  tho  North  I'acilic,  our  knowleilKe  is  in  a  more  satisfactory 
state. 

It  is  now  ascertained  with  tolerable  certainty  that  there  are  in  this  region  three, 
anil  only  three,  very  distinct  species,  anil  there  is  no  evidence  that  either  of  these 
s])ecics  is,  or  has  ever  been,  found  elsewhere. 

Tiicse  are — 

1.  S-rKLLKic'.-*  Si;.\-Li()N  {Olariu  xirUni—- Euitn'toinan  «^7/ert  of  some  authors),  the 
lary;est  of  the  whole  groiip;  found  oi>  the  Pacilic  coast  of  North  America  from  Cali- 
fornia to  Alaska;  I'acilic  co.-ist  of  Asia  from  .la|ian  northwards  into  the  Hehring  Sea. 

L'.  TiiK  (  Ai.iioiiMAN  Ska-  Lin.N  { I  Hill-ill  riilifoniiaiia  ~  /ulnphunculll'oriiiann  —  Otaria 
fliUespii)  inhabiting  the  coastsof  California  and  .lapan,  but  not  entering  the  liehring 
Sea. 

These  two  are  hiiir-seals;  the  next  is  a  fur-seal. 

8.  TiiK  NoKTHKitN  ruK-SKAi,  OK  Sba-Bkak  {(Maria  ursina=zCaUorhinna  iirsitius) 
inhabits  the  North  Facitic  from  California  and  Japan  northwards  into  the  Hehring 
Si'a. 

The  main  character  by  which  this  animal  is  distinguished  from  all  other  Otariidve, 
and  which  has  been  considered  by  (Jray  and  most  later  writers  to  entitle  it  to  gene- 
ri'^  distinction,  is  the  form  of  the  fore  part  of  the  skull,  which  is  short,  broad,  and 
hij;h,  being  as  it  were  truncated  in  front,  instead  of  low  and  narrow  as  in  all  other 
sin'cies.  Hy  this  general  asjiect  the  skull  can  be  <lit'tinguished  at  once  from  that  of 
any  other.  I'lie  nn.ar  teeth  are  six  above  and  tive  below  on  each  side.  In  the  two 
other  Nortii  I'aiilic  species  they  are  tive  above  and  tive  below.  The  external  char- 
acfc'  iiiH'd  not  be  entered  into  here,  as  ihey  have  been  abundantly  and  minutely 
dcscribeil  elyewhere. ' 

The  distinctive  characters  and  geographical  distribution  of  the  species  of  Olaria 
inhabiting  the  seas  and  coasts  south  of  the  Eiiuator,  and  met  with  either  now  f»r 
formerly  in  all  suitable  localities  round  the  whole  circumference  of  tho  globe,  are, 
as  stated  above,  less  acciiratel>  determined,  nor  is  this  the  place  to  attempt  to 
unravel  this  purely  zoological  i>roblem,  but  the  following  may  be  mentioned  as  best 
established, 

\.  TiiK.  SotriiKKN  Ska-I,ion  (Olaria  Jiibtita),  formerly  abundant  on  the  Falkland 
Islands  and  the  coastsof  I'alai^onia  and  Chile,  extending  as  far  north  as  the  Gala- 
pagos Islands;  an  animal  m  arly  as  large  as  tho  Northern  or  Steller's  Sea-lion,  but 
easily  distinguished  from  it  by  the  form  of  the  skull,  especially  of  the  bones  of  the 
palate.     This  is  not  a  fur-seal. 

.5.  TiiK  Soi'Tii  Amkuican  Viu-fi¥..\i.(Otarin  <iiiiilinliH^=OlariafaIklaiidica=^Arcto- 
ceiihahtu  auslralis  imdj'alklini<liciin),  South  American  coasts,  from  Lidxts  Islands  mii'r 
the  mouth  of  the  Hio  de  la  I'lata  on  the  east,  to  the  (iala])agos  on  the  west. 

<).  Tiiic  SinTii  Akiika.n'  Fiu-Skal  (Olaria  piisiHu —^.irctoceplialua  antarcticuH), 
from  the  Ca)ie  of  (iood  llo|)e. 

7.  T'liK  Ai  >rnAi,iAN  lirn-SKAi,  (Oturia  J'orsli:ri  —  Arctocvphaliis  rinireiin)  of  Aus- 
tralia, New  /.ealand,  Auckland  Islands,  iVc. 

8.  T'liK  AisrKAi.iAN  Si;a-1<i:ak  (Olaria  lobata^-^/alophiin  lohalua).  Ahair-seal  from 
the  Australian  coasts. 

i>.  HooKi'.it's  Ska-I.H)N  (Olaria  hookeri=^  Arcluceplialus  hookeri).  Auckland  Islands. 
Also  a  hair-seal. 

W.  II.  F. 
May  1892. 


*8ee  especially  the  excellent  "Monograph  on  North  American  Piuuipeds,"  by 
J.  A.  Alien,  VVashiuglon,  1880. 


the  North 
Kuropeaii, 

oj{rai)hiciil 
an  iihuuHt 
the  causes 

nariiio  ani- 
n  coiisi<l«r- 
h«,v  alwiiys 
18  tho  nnin- 
ach  species 
iMit  iiiiml)er 
Hont.owiiiK 
bsfiviil  ioiiH 

liMiiisiiherc. 
Biitislaetory 

(.jrion  three, 
her  of  these 


uthors),  tho 
;ii  from  Cali- 
Hchriiig  Sea. 
ifliirt  — '"rt'ia 
;  the  Uehriiig 

iiiiis  ursinns) 
)  the  Hchring 

ther  Otariidw, 
tie  it  to  gene- 
t,  broad,  ami 
H  in  all  other 
from  that  of 
.  In  the  two 
xternal  ehar- 
anil  minutely 

ieies  of  Olaria 
leither  now  or 
.le  gloho,  are, 
to  attempt  to 
ftioned  as  best 

I  the  Falkland 
as  tho  Gala- 
Sea-lion,  but 
bones  of  tho 

[„dica=--Arrlo- 
L  Inliinds  nei'r 
1  west. 
h  anturclkUH), 

treuM)  of  Aus- 

hair-seul  from 

[kland  Islands. 

W.  H.  F. 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMIRSIONERa. 


259 


knulpeds,"  hy 


14. — Letter  from  Captain  David  Gray,  Pelerhead. 

VnTKHHRAV,  June  ,^,  1893. 

Si«:  I  had  tho  honotir  yesterday  to  reooivo  your  commnnication,  asking  for  infor- 
mation regarding  the  hair-soal  fishing  in  the  North  Atlantic. 

'Die  .)an-Mayen  Convention  provides  that  no  seals  are  to  bo  killed  within  the  limits 
detailed  in  the  Act,  namely,  trom  latitude  68  X.  tj  latitnilo  75  N.,  and  from  the 
nuTidian  of  Ureenwich  west  to  the  Greenland  shore.  The  penalty  for  killing  a  seal 
before  the  3rd  April  is  .500/.,  payable  to  tlio  informant. 

There  are  no  police  recjuired  to  enforce  the  close  time;  each  ship's  crew  looks  after 
tlieir  neighbours,  so  that  the  close  tiiuo  in  tiie  Greenland  seas  has  been  very  strictly 
kept. 

i'he  effect  of  the  close  time  on  the  seals  is  to  protect  them  during  tlo  time  they  are 
bringing  fn.'th  their  young,  and  gives  them  a  few  days'  quietness  to  nurse  ihem,  and 
is  beneficial  in  so  far  that  it  prevents  the  old  seals  being  killed  iMt'oro  the  yomiu  are 
liorn,  and  also  allows  a  proportion  of  mother  seals  to  esca]io  to  continue  the  specios; 
beyond  this  the  close  time  does  not  go.  The  young  broods  were  very  olten  clean 
s\v  )pt  up,  so  that  not  one  esrai)ed. 

ihe  Newfoundland  seal  fishery  is  conducted  in  a  dilferent  way;  tho   8t.  John's 

people,  having  the  control  of  the  fishing  themselves,  «io  not  allow  the  ships  to  leave 

before  a  date.     This  year  the  15th  March  was  the  day  lixed  for  the  steamers 

187      leaving.     ISailing-shipsare  allowed  to  sjiil  eight  days  sooner,     'i'he  Newfoiinil- 

landers  are  becoming  more  strict  every  year;  the  sniliiig  dny  was  live  days 

later  this  season  than  last,  and  they  have  to  stop  (ishiiig  on  the  L'Otli  April. 

To  sum  up,  the  position  is  this;  at  (ireenlaud  the  close  time  will  prevent  the  seals 
being  exterminated,  but  it  will  not  allow  them  to  increase. 

At  Newfoundland  their  present  modeof  tishiiigmeans,  in  a  few  years,  extermination. 
I  have,  &v. 

(Signed)  David  Guay. 

Sir  Geougk  Bahkn-Powkli-,  M.  P., 

roreiiju  Office,  London,  S.  '•'. 


15. — Mr.  W.  Palmer  on  the  killing  of  Seals  upon  ihe  Prihyloff  Ixlandt, 

The  following  are  extracts  from  a  paper  read  by  Mr.  William  Palmer,  Taxidermist 
to  the  Snuthsoniiin  Institution,  before  the  Hioloj;ical  Society  of  Washington,  in 
October  1891.  Mr.  I'almer  visite<l  the  I'ribyloft'  Islanils  in  an  olhcial  cap.aety  in  IH'JO. 
Tho  first  part  of  the  paper  from  which  these  extracts  are  made  gives  some  general 
ac<'ouut  of  tho  liabits  of  the  seal,  together  with  rem.arks  on  y)elaKi(!  sealing,  with 
which  subject,  however,  Mr.  Palmer  was  not  iieisonally  familiar.  Tho  portion  of 
the  i);iper  quoted  below  is  that  giving  the  result  of  Mr.  Palmer's  own  observatiiuis 
made  on  the  breeding  islands,  and  is,  therefore,  of  value  as  a  record  of  tho  conclu- 
sions thus  arrived  at  by  him: 

Natural  Uistor)/. 

KATIC  of   the    KUR-SKAI,   I.V   AMKRICA. 

[Read  before  the  Biological  Siicloty  of  WasliiiiKton,  Pistrict  of  Columbia,  October  17,  and  lllunlnited 

by  LaiitfiTi  .Sliilcs.] 

The  present  condition  of  tho  Alaskan  fur-seal  islanils  is  but  another  illustration  of 
the  fact  that  the  ignorance,  avarice,  and  etu]>idity  of  man  have  succeeded  in  reducing 
an  overwhelming  abundance  of  aninnil  life,  that  by  careful  and  considciiite  treatment 
would  for  ever  have  been  a  S(mrce  of  immcns(>  wealth,  to  sucli  a  condition  that  it 
becomes  a  question  of  great  moment  to  devise  means  to  [)revent  its  extermination, 
au<l  adopt  measures  to  restore  its  former  al>un<lance. 

W  •  «  »  #  »  1. 

Put  pelagic  seal  fishing  is  not  the  only  cause  of  the  decrease  of  st'al  life  on  the 
Priliyloffs. 

Probably,  an  eqnal  cause  is  the  nnmUnral  method  of  driving  seals  that  has  been 
followed  on  the  islands  since  the  first  seal  was  ca|itured. 

The  mere  killing  of  seals  as  conducted  un  the  islands  is  as  near  perfection  as  it  is 
possible  to  pet  it.  They  are  quickly  dispatched,  .and  without  pain.  One  soon  rec- 
ognizes, OS  in  the  killing  of  sheep,  that  in  the  iiuickness  and  neatness  of  tho  method 
lies  its  success,  all  things  considered. 

Put  the  driving  is  a  totallv  different  matter.  I  doubt  if  ar;y  one  can  look  ':poii 
the  painful  exertions  of  this  dense  crowding  mass,  and  not  think  that  somewhere 
and  somehow  tliere  is  great  room  for  improvement.  It  is  conducted  now  as  it  always 
has  been;  no  thought  or  attention  is  given  to  it,  and,  with  but  onu  uxcuptiuu,  no 
other  method  has  been  suggested,  or  even  thought  necessary. 


2no 


REPORT    OF    inUTISII    COMMISSIONKRS. 


Ir  V* 


KiM-li  <1:i.v  tlnriiiK  tint  scaHon,  wliirh  last.s  froiii  tiio  2l)th  .Iiino  to  tlio  iHt  An^nst, 
Uiert' arc  llirrt-  killiii^H:  one  <mi  St.  <i<-<>r^i>,  niic  at  tlio  village  of  St.  Taiil,  and  aiiother 
at  North  i-ast  r.)liit,  St.  I'aiil. 

I  haw  marked  on  oiilliiiu  Ma|)s  of  tin-  islands  tho  e:;teut  of  hohic  of  tliemt  drives, 
vhich  aro  as  follows: 

Monday,  from  tho  Ifccf;  'I'neHdiiy,  from  liiiknnnoii ;  Wednesday. Tolstoi ;  Thnrsdav, 
at  llalf-wny  I'oiiit  ( the  drive  heing  liron^rht  from  i'olavina):  l''riday,  at  /apadnic 
(when  tho  water  in  Hnionth  the  killers  }ro  by  hoat  to  /apadnie,  lint  in  roiigl!  weather 
the  seals  are  driven  to  the  villago) ;  Satiir<lay  and  Sunday  drives  are  made  n|i  from 
some  oi'  the  plaei-s  driven  from  earlier  in  the  weid<.  or  a  nnmlier  of  small  drives  from 
several  places  are  nnitod.  At  North-east  I'oint  drives  are  niad(\  commencinp;  at  one 
end  on  Slonday  and  continuing  round  wln^rover  tnmiigh  seals  can  lie  found.  On  St. 
(ieorge  drives  are  made  from  each  rookery  in  succession,  the  killing  ground  being  Just 
helow  tho  vdlage.  Some  of  these  driving  trails  are  from  tv  <iuarter  to  a  mile  long, 
l)ut  tho  longest,  from  /a|indnie,  is  .5  miles. 

The  fur-seal  is  utterly  niititled  liy  nature  for  an  e.Ktonded  and  ra])id  Bafo  Journey 
on  land.  It  will  progress  rapitlly  for  a  short  <listaiiL-e.  Iiut  soon  stops  from  sheer 
exhaustion.  Its  llip|iers  an*  used  as  feet,  the  helly  is  raised  clear  of  the  ground,  and 
tho  motion  is  a  Jerky  liiit  comparatively  rapid  lope.  When  exhausted,  tho  animal 
flo]is  over  on  its  side  as  soon  as  it  stops  luoving,  lieing  unalile  to  stand  n]i. 

The  tlrives  are  conducted  in  this  manner:  as  soon  as  it  is  light,  which  is  between 
land  2  in  th<!  morning,  several  natives  make  their  way  bet  ween  the  seals  hauled 
out  ne.-tr  a  rookery  and  the  water,  and  <'nt  out  as  large  a  tirive  as  possible.  As  it 
is  the  habit  of  the  seals  when  aliirmeti  to  gel  .as  far  as  possible  from  any  strangi* 
object,  it  follows  that  they  arc  easily  driven  in  any  direciidu  by  simply  walking 
behind  them  waving  the  arms  and  making  a  noise.  The  character  of  the  grountl 
over  which  tiio  seals  are  <lriven  is  in  many  places  utterly  unlit  for  the  purpose:  up 
and  down  the  stee)>  slo)ii's  of  sand  dunes,  over  cinder  hills  studded  with  shar|>  rocks, 
Holiut  places  being  so  bad  that  they  are  avoided  by  the  peoiil(<  themselves;  but  the 
Heals  have  been  driven  over  the  s.'ime  ground  for  many  years,  and  on  some  of  the 
hills  dee]i  (laths  have  been  worn  by  the  passing  of  tens  of  thousands  of  seals, 
188  No  attempts  have  been  made  to  reiiuive  the  rocks  or  to  lessen  the  dillicMilties 
of  th.-  ]iiissage,  and  the  seals  are  still  driven  pellinull  over  huge  rocks  and 
down  steep  inclines,  where  many  are  crushed  and  injurc-il  by  tho  hurrying  mass  of 
those  behind.  When  the  drive  reaches  the  killing  ground  it  is  rounded  up  and  left 
in  charge  of  a  man  or  boy  to  await  the  killing,  which  begius  at  7  a.  .M.  A  pod  of 
]ierha]is  sixty  seals  are  then  cut  out  of  the  drive  and  <lii\en  to  tho  killers,  who 
with  long  wooden  clubs  stun  those  seals  that  are  ot'  ]iro]ier  size  and  condition  by  ji 
blow  or  two  on  lop  of  the  lu'ad.  The  seals  that  are  not  killed  are  then  tlriven  away 
by  tin  ]iaiis  aiul  a  great  noise,  and  while  in  an  excited  and  over-heate<l  coutlition 
rush,  as  fast  as  it  is  possible  for  a  seal  to  go,  into  the  icy-cold  waters  of  Hidiring  Sea. 

It  will  thus  be  set^n  that  these  seals  are  siilijiM-tcd  on  an  average  from  2  o'clock  in 
the  morning  until  10  to  a  long  drive  over  very  rough  ground,  then  to  a  dense  herd- 
ing, where  they  are  continually  in  motion  .Miid  crowtling  each  other,  thence  to  an 
intense  excitement  on  the  killing  ground,  and  linally  in  a  condition  little  bot'er  than 
madness  rushing  into  icy  cold  water.  I'ncivili/.ed  and  jiarlly  civilized  man  has  no 
]iily  for  tluiub  brutes,  and  as  these  drives  are  comlin^ted  entirely  by  Ihenatises,  who 
]ircter  iniioleiice  ill  lhevillag(«  to  the  discomforts  of  a  drive  in  the  fog  and  rain,  it 
follows  that  the  seals  art^  iiftt'ii  driven  much  I'aster  than  they  shoulil  be,  and  abso- 
lutt'ly  without  thought  or  care,  Itiit  this  is  not  all.  The  seals  that  are  spared  soon 
haul  out  again  near  a  rookery,  and  perhaps  the  very  next  <lay  are  obliged  to  repeat 
the  pi'4icess,  and  again  and  auain  throughout  the  season,  unless  in  tb(<  meantime  they 
have  crawled  out  on  a  bench  to  die,  or  base  sunk  exhausted  to  the  bottom.  'I'lie 
dcMlhs  of  these  seals  are  directly  caused  as  I  shall  cxjilaiii.  and,  as  far  as  I  am  aware, 
it  is  menlioned  now  for  the  lirst  lime. 

A  seal  body  may  be  said  to  consist  of  llirco  parts,  an  inner,  which  is  the  llesli, 
bones.  iVc,  a  ring  of  fat  suiroiiniling  this  of  from  1  to  I  or  5  inches  thick,  ami  then 
the  skin  which  cairies  tlm  fur.  1  tliink  it  will  be  rciulily  seen  that  a  forced  drive 
for  M  long  distance  over  rough  ground,  ii|i  and  d<iwn  hills,  and  over  and  among  huge 
boulders  and  lino  sand,  with  a  siibse<|Uent  herding,  and  thi'it  al'lcia  most  violent 
extu'cise  a  sudden  bath  in  icy  cold  water,  must  of  necessit.\  disturb  that  (M|uilibriiim 
of  vital  forces  which  is  essential  to  the  g<iod  hea'lh  of  any  animal.  It  is  known 
that  the  stomachs  of  tho  I'ur-seals  on  the  islands  contain  no  fo<id,  and  that  in  all 
]irobability  many  of  them  have  fasted  for  several  weeks.  When  driven  into  the 
water  the  seals  are  wt^ik  from  two  causes,  the  drive  iin<l  lack  of  food;  before  they 
can  secure  food  they  must  rest,  and  rest  is  iuily  olitainable  at  the  expense  of  that 
most  vital  necessity  of  these  :iiiiiiials,  their  fat.  I  remember  looking  with  great 
curiosity  for  the  cause  of  death  of  the  lirst  de.-id  seal  that  I  found  stranded  on  tho 
beach.  Kxternally  there  was  nothing  to  indicate  it,  but  tho  lirst  stroke  of  the  knife 
revealed  instantly  what  I  am  contident  has  been  the  cause  of  death  of  coiiutleuii 


11(1  aiiotlier 

eso  «lriv<^s, 

Tlimsiliiy, 
t  Ziiitinluif 
uh  wciitluT 
do  iiji  Iroi" 
ilriveH  J'liini 
ling  at  oim 
1.1.  On  St. 
1  iM'iitH  .)">*> 
I  iiiilo  loiij; 

nfti  joiiriioy 

Irdlii  slifcr 

ftroimil,  ami 

,  tlio  animal 

1>- 

I  is  bctwfi-n 

st-alrt  hanlril 

<il>le.     As  it 

any  straii^o 

ply  wiilkiiiK 

tiu-  j;rouml 

IMUiK'So:  up 

sharp  rocks, 

ve»;  but  tli«^ 

some  of  tilt) 

mds  of  swils. 

10  (lilTicnltics 

(re  rocks  ami 

•yiiiK  muss  of 

(I  up  ami  left 

M.     A  lio'l  of 

killers,  wlio 

(iiilitioii  liy  a 

tlriviMi  away 

rii  condition 

l?t-liriny;Scii. 

1  2  o'clock  in 

I  dense  liord- 

tlicnco  t<»  nil 

(>  lict!er  tliaii 

man  lias  no 

•  iKitivcs,  who 

i  and  rain,  it 

>e,  and  aliHo- 

sparcd  soon 

cd  to  repeat 

BMiitimo  Ihcy 

lottom.      Tlio 

s  1  am  aware, 

ii  is  the  llesli, 
lick,  and  then 

I'oicc'l  drive 
|l  anions  hiip;u 

must  violent 
|t  ciiuilihriiiin 
It  \»  known 
Ind  that  in  all 
Ivcu  into  the 
1;  hefoie  Ihey 

iciise  of  that 
[^  with  ureat 

imled  on  the 

111  of  the  knifo 

of  cuiiutleHa 


RErORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


261 


thousands  nf  fiir-se»ls.  It  liad  hceii  chilled  to  death:  not  n  trace  remained  of  the 
fat  that  had  once  clothed  its  hody  and  ]irotected  the  vital  organs  within.  Siiii-e  tho 
day  that  it  had  esiaped  from  th(>  drive,  it  had  coiisnincd  all  its  tar  in  the  etl'i.i  t  to 
keep  warm,  and  nothing  remained  Init  to  lie  down  and  die.  I  opened  many  alter 
ths,  ami  always  discovered  the  same,  hut  sometimes  an  additional  cause,  a  fractured 
skull  perhaps.  I  have  even  iioteil  those  left  hehiiid  in  a  drive,  ami  watched  them 
daily,  with  the  s:iine  result  in  many  cases.  At  first  they  woiihl  revel  in  the  ponds  or 
wander  amoii};  tlie  sand  diiiicH,  Imt  in  a  few  days  their  motions  decame  distinctly 
slower,  the  ciii\ature  of  the  8]iine  hecaiiio  lessened;  evtntnally  the  poor  hrntes 
would  dra^  their  hind  tli])|iers  as  tiiey  moved,  and  in  a  few  days  more  heeoiiie  food 
for  the  foxes.     In  every  case  the  fat  had  di.sa])peared. 

It  will  he  seen  also  that  hy  this  driving  iirocess  the  L'-  or  ^t-ycar  olds,  which  are 
the  only  ones  killed  for  their  skins,  are  ciilleil  out  almost  completely  troni  the  h<-als 
which  visit  tlies.-  islands,  and  therefore  that  very  few  male  seals  ever  reach  a  greater 
a;;e;  coiisei|iiently,  there  are  not  enough  yoiin^  hulls  ^rowiii^;  up  to  supply  even  the 
yearly  loss  on  the  rookeries,  much  less  to  ]trovide  for  any  iiK'rcase. 

It  should  also  he  tliorou;:hly  understood  that  until  a  cow  seal  is  ',i  years  old  she  is 
hut  a  cypher  so  far  as  natural  increasi;  of  the  rookeries  is  concerned,  and  that  a  male 
seal  must  be  at  le.ist  Tor  M  years  old  before  he  can  jxtssiMy  secnri'  .a  footing  on  the 
rookeries.  Diirinj;  these  '.i  and  X  years  Miey  have  tr  run  the  ;;aiiiitlei  of  the  poachers. 
If  they  escape  the  drivin«; — and  this  neonis  impossiule — they  have  their  natural  i-ne- 
niies  to  encounter,  sharks  and  killer  whales,  so  that  taken  altogether,  nearly  every- 
thing is  a;;aiiist  this  increase. 

DuriiifT  the  ei};lit  years"  minority  of  the  few  male  siniIs  that  hav**  escaped  their 
enemies  it  is  safe,  I  think,  to  assume  that  at  least  four  summers  were  spent  in  t;)-ttiu); 
ail  experience  of  the  drives.  |)oes  anyone  think  that  they  were  then  capalde  of 
tilliiiff  tlioir  proper  functions  on  the  rookeries  f 

Hut  some  one  is  not  satisfied  with  the  accidental  laiidin>;  of  the  seals  on  the 
be.'iches,  from  whence  they  can  be  easily  <lriveii.  Aloii;;  the  sea  ed^e  of  the  rook- 
eries are  many  small  outlyiiij;;  rocks,  on  which  the  youn^  male  seals  con^re^^ate  in 
lar^e  nunihers  and  survey  the  rookeries  from  which  they  are  disbarred  by  their 
inferior  si/e  and  8trenj;tli.  ,\ii  old  bull  seal  will  siilfer  himself  to  be  slaii;ilitered 
rather  than  yield  an  inch  of  his  chosen  location.  The  cows  are  so  timid  tli:it  only 
the  iireatest  exertions  of  the  bulls  prevent  their  beinj;  staiii]ieded,  while  as  to  the 
"  holluscliiekie"'  the  si^lit,  even  the  scent,  of  a  man  or  strange  object  will  drive  them 
pell-mell  instantly  into  the  water. 

The  natives  have  been  imivided  with  whistles,  and  when  a  boat  finds  itself  near  a 
rookery  (and  a  pretence  for  its  presence  is  easily  found)  iond  use  is  made  of  them 
with  a  coiise(|Uei>t  c(uit'usio:i  anion;;  the  seals,  and  a  proliable  increase  in  the  next 
morning's  drive.  And  yet  a  strang*-r  on  the  islands  is  baniboo/.led  with  the  informa- 
tion that  his  jiiesence  a  few  yards  from  the  village  is  fraught  wi*'i  great  danger  to 
the  Company's  interests. 

The  breeding  seals  on  the  rookeries  ie))reseiit  the  principal  of  the  sealing  industry, 
while  the  t|uota  of  1(H(,(KMI  skins  taken  annually  for  the  jiast  twenty  yiars  is  tin- 
interest  on  the  principal.  ( >wing  to  poaching  and  the  effects  of  dri  vinganil  culling 
the])riiici]ial  has  beccuiie  seriously  im]>aired,  so  that  it  is  no  longer  jio^sible  to  pa\  this 
large  rate  of  interest.  The  work  on  the  islands  has  been  directed  entindy  tocollect- 
ing  this  interest  at  .any  cost.     The  ])rincipal  was  let't  to  take  care  of  itself. 

The  decrease  in  seal  life  began  abmit  ten  years  ago;  bi^fore  then  it  was  an  easy 
matter  to  si'i'ure  l»tO,000  skins  a-year  from  St.  (ieorge's  Island,  the  rookeries 
1S9  near  the  vill.ige  of  St.  Paul,  and  at  North-east  I'oiut.  The  rookeries  at  I'ola- 
viiia  and  /apadnie  were  then  never  driven  from.  Hut  ten  ye;iri.  iigo  it  lieeame 
absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to  secure  the  full  (piota  of  skins,  to  make  drives  from 
these  ])laccs.  and  the  custom  has  been  continued  since,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  seal 
business. 

Hut  these  drives  from  Polavina  anil  /a]iadnie,  and  the  decrease  in  seal  life,  seem  to 
have  been  carefiill,\  concealed  from  the  (iovenimeiit  and  others  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  seals;  in  fact,  it  has  been  strongly  ])Ut  forth  in  the  K'eports  of  the  Treasiiiy 
Agents  in  charge  and  idsewhere  that  the  seals  have  actually  gri'atly  increased  in 
numbers;  but  a  com)iarisoii  of  the  sketches  alone  in  Mr.  Klliott's  "  .Monograidi  "f  the 
Seal  Islands,"  made  in  lh7H-7l  and  ISTti,  with  the  actual  coiidit  ion  of  affairs  at  present 
on  the  islands,  will  convince  any  one  that  the  ojiiiiions  and  Weports  of  jxditical 
apjioiiitees  are  almost  worthless  when  dealing  with  the  fate  of  the  fur-seal. 

How  can  it  be  otherwise?  Their  tenure  of  oflico  exists  only  with  that  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury;  with  every  change  of  that  oflice  new  men  who  know  tuitWiug 
of  seals  are  sent  np,  and  these  men  are  entirely  dependent  on  the  seal  Company  even 
for  their  passage  and  board  while  there.  All  visitors  to  the  islands  are  regarded  as 
interlojiers  and  meddlers. 

It  may  be  interesting  for  a  momeiit  to  compare  the  maiiageinent  of  the  Russian  side 
of  liehriug  Sea  w  itb  our  ow  n.     Dr.  Stejneger,  of  the  National  Museum,  who  haa  spent 


262 


REPORT   OP    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


several BenROTifi on  ilie  Coiiiiiiniwlttr  I.sl.'iiiils,  iiNsini-s  mo  tliat,  iiiNtcnrI  of  dcrrrnMniir,  the 
fiir-BpnlHllHTO!ii('ortiiiilly  hicri'nsinKiii  iiniiiliiTH.  A  <'<iinii!iris(Mi  of  tlio  RuHhian  ideas 
orKiMilniiiiiiip'iiiciitwitliuiirowii  willroadilvHlidw tliiT(!:iHoii.  TlDMiccABHity  tbrKi'cat 
ciirc  in  till-  (Irivini;  and  nianii^'t'nicnt  of  tlu-  drive  Het-nis  to  l>v  a  lixed  tact  in  tlie  uiiiidH 
of  till)  KuHHiunoflicialK  and  nalivet)  of  the  Coinnianilir  iHlandH,  vliileontho  I'rib.vlotf 
iHlandH  not  tlir  slifrlittHt  intervKt  in  taken  in  tlie  matter.  On  the  RnnHian  side  tlie 
natives  arc  lirni  in  the  belief  that  their  iiitereHts  lie  in  the  proper  care  of  the  Healn; 
<i>iiK,e(|nent)y,  when  u  drive  in  n!a<le,  it  iH  eomjiosid  «>f  many  Huiall  drives  carefully 
Helei'led  and  Hhiwly  driven,  ho  tliat  the  lar^e  and  Hmiill  Heals  unlit  lor  killing  are 
gradually  weeded  out,  and  when  the  drive  reaches  the  killing  grounds  it  is  conipoaud 
almost  entiri-ly  of  killalde  seals. 

<>n  the  American  side,  on  the  contrary,  the  seals  are  driven  as  fast  as  possible,  the 
only  ones  \veede<l  out  beini;  those  too  weak  to  ko  t'urther,  while  of  those  rounded  up 
on  the  killing  ground  by  far  the  greater  number  are  allowed  to  escape.  Out  of  a 
drive  of  l,l(»;i  counted  by  me  only  IL'O  were  killed;  the  rest  were  released.  On  the 
jiiissian  Hi<le,  it  is  a  settled  fact  that  the  islands  and  seals  belong  to  the  Russian 
liovernment,  and  that  the  (.'umjiMuy  taking  the  skins  has  only  certain  restr;-'ted 
lights  for  that  ]iur]>ose;  but  on  thc^  American  side  it  seems  to  be  a  settled  fact,  at 
lea.si  in  the  minds  of  the  Company's  )ieopl(«,  that  they  own  the  seals  an<l  the  islands, 
w  liilc  the  duty  of  the  (Jovernmeut  is  to  collect  the  tax  and  appoint  Agents  to  sub- 
serve the  intert^sts  of  the  Com]>any  onlv.  'i'he  natives  are  utterly  clependent  on  the 
seal  Company  for  their  sii])port,  and  while  having  a  very  vague  idea  that  somehow 
the  (iovernnient  is  a  big  thing,  they  naturally  look  to  the  Company  for  everything 
atVectiug  their  int«'rehts. 

Sciilcis  have  no  (ionbt  about  the  fate  that  would  be  their  lot  if  caught  poaching 
on  the  Comnunuler  Ishinds,  or  within  3  miles  of  their  shores,  and  accordingly  have 

fiven  them  a  wide  berth;  but  they  have  heretofore  done  as  they  pleased  about  the 
'ribylotV  Islands,  and  even  on  the  rookeries.  In  the  absence  of  tlie  revenue-cutters 
the  islands  are  utterly  defenceless,  and  liable  at  any  time  to  bo  raided. 

I  have  only  touche<l  lightly  u]ion  several  questions  of  the  sealing  industry,  and 
have  by  no  means  exhausted  the  subject ;  but  enough  has  been  said,  I  think,  to  show 
that  if  an  industry,  which  eighteen  month  ago  wasex))ected  to  pay  the  (iovernment 
li  net  protit  of  over  2, 0(H)  ]ier  cent.,  and  is,  besi<les,  a  great  natural  exhibit,  the  only 
one  of  the  kind  America  can  jtroduce,  is  to  be  saved,  reform  is  necessary.  For  twenty 
years  the  fur-senl  has  been  the  spoil  of  jiolitics  and  the  victim  of  the  poacher.  Inex- 
]ierieiH  c  on  the  one  hand,  and  avarice  on  the  other,  have  well  nigh  ruined  the  indus- 
try in  American  waters. 

There  are  then  two  chief  c'luses  of  tlie  decrease  of  seal  life  on  the  PribylofT 
Islands — poaching  in  Itcliiing  .Sea,  and  the  driving  and  culling  of  the  seals  on  the 
ish-intls.     The  remedy  is  siin|ile: 

1.  No  seals  should  be  killed  by  any  one  at  any  time  in  the  waters  of  Itehring  Sea. 

2.  Allsciils  (IriMii  on  the  islands  should  bekill(;d;  none  should  be  driven  and  again 
allowed  to  enter  the  sea. 

These  remedies  are  not  new.  Nearly  twenty  years  ago  Captain  Daniel  Webster, 
wliose  knowh'dgc  and  experience  of  scaling  are  second  to  none,  said,  pointing  to  tins 
drive,  "  Kvery  one  of  them  should  be  killcil,  noni'  should  be  allowed  to  return  to  the 
water,"  and  gave  reasons  which,  while  unsujiported  by  evj<lcuce  then,  and  which, 
ill  view  of  the  iiiiniense  alMindancc  of  seal  lite,  seemed  absurd  at  the  time,  are  now 
beginning  to  be  accejited  as  true. 

There  sliould  also  be  a  close  time  for  at  least  five  years  to  allow  the  rookeries  to  be 
replenished,  and  llicn  by  careful  iiiaiiagemciit  by  a  bureiiu  and  eniidoyf''s  of  the  (Jov- 
ernmeut, trained  ill  the  knowledge  and  care  of  aninuil  lite,  a  rich  and  ]>r(ditable 
industry  will  be  saved. 

(Signed)  Wil.i.iAM  Palmeu. 

USITKli   Sr.MKS"   NaTIoSM.   Ml  Si:iM,    U'llshillijtDll,  I).  C. 


190     U\.-  llshact  from  the  Mtlbuuniv  ".Iriiut,"  l>e<rmbvr  17,  1SS7,  re/and  to  by  Mr. 

J\  Chapmitii. 

UKAl.V.UB  AT  WOnK. 

(By  JnnioR  'MTiliic,  Hiirvivor  fi-oin  llio  wreck  of  tlio  "  IViry  rn«tl««."] 

When  I  wrote  the  account  of  "Life  <ni  the  Auckland  Islands,"  which  has  just 
a]>peareil  in  "  Tlw  Argus,"  1  jmrposcly  said  nothing  about  the  Awarua  poaching 
seals  when  she  visited  I'orl  Ross,  and  picked  us  nj)  while  we  were  cast  away  there. 
It  did  not  liecome  me  to  tell  tales  against  my  bcn<'factor,  but  inasmuch  as  the  ca]>- 
tain's  .idniissiou  (d'  the  ]ioacliiiig  has  been  )iiib]islied  in  all  the  newspapers,  I  may  as 
well  ilescribe  how  seal  hunting  ia  douo.    The  work  ia  the  most  daugeroiu  aud 


^^iall  Ideas 
,y  for  Ki'*"'t 
the  iiiindH 
B  rrib.vl"ff 
n  side  tlie 
the  Hcaln; 
i  cnrelully 
killing  are 
» conipoBcd 

[)Rsil)le,  tlio 
•oHiuled  up 
,  Out  of  a 
(1.  «>u  tho 
he  HuHHian 
rpstri-ted 
!t'«l  fait,  at 
tlie  iHlauds, 
JIltH  to  Bub- 
dciit  on  tho 
It  somehow 
everytbint; 

it  poaching 
ilinnly  have 
1  about  the 
jnue-cutters 

idiistry,  and 
ink.  to  show 
(Jovcrnnient 
bit,  the  only 
For  twenty 
cher.  Incx- 
d  the  induB- 

iie  Pribyloff 
seals  on  the 

JolirinK  Soa. 
un  and  ajj;ain 

iol  WebstiT, 
ntiuR  to  llu) 
•etnin  to  tho 
and  whiih, 
me,  are  now 

[)Uoric8  to  bo 
I  of  thi'«!"v- 
d  i>roht.iil)lo 

I  Talmuu- 


<(f  to  by  Mr. 


RKPORT    OF    HHITISH    COMMISSIONKRS, 


268 


ich  has  jnst 
ua  poaching 
away  thoie. 
1  aB  the  cap- 
ers, 1  may  us 
jgeroua  and 


arduous  that  men  can  do.  It  is  bcHJib's  no  ill  |i;iid,  that  few  but  .Mnotis  will  tiiKlir^o 
the  risk  and  the  hatiiHlii]>  on  tlit>  tlM'ln^<  wliirh  riistinn  lia.s  a.sNi;;ni'(l  in  tin-  «>iiti>rpi'i!«>. 
'Jho  owner  of  tiie  stalinji  vtv  .m-l  n<  t.s  nciiriy  all  tin-  linii'iit  if  many  mals  aic  taken, 
and  if  the  trip  is  uiisuccesslul  — wliiili  is  very  Ncjdoin  the  ease,  owinj;  to  llii>  sur- 
nrisiuu  boldness  and  endurance  of  the  .Maoris— he  loses  comparatively  little.  Tho 
Alaoris  agree  to  ration  thi'uiselves,  to  work  the  vessol,  and  to  caleli  tiie  ideals  at  so 
nnieh  ]>t>r  skin,  less  the  cost  of  the  ]>rovi.-,ioiis  put  on  bounl  the  vessel  upon  the 
reiiuisiliou  of  the  crew  at  the  time  of  eomiiieiiciiig  the  enii/.e.  If  ()nl,\  eiinii);h  skins 
are  secured  to  ]>ay  for  the  stores  the  Maoris  get.  nothing  for  llieir  «iiik,  \\hile  tho 
owuvr  has  the  ]>rolit  of  the  skins  at  the  ]iiice  tiiey  are  wuitii  in  the  l.nnilnii  market 
to  recoup  him  for  the  use  ol'  the  vessi-l  and  lor  jiaying  the  e,>|itain's  vva^'es.  Tlie 
rule,  I  believe,  is  that  the  sealers  have  far  worse  than  a  s  uiois  lite  at  less  than  a 
sailor's  ]>ay,  but  year  after  \ear  erews  are  Idiiiid  ready  to  engage  in  the  i-liase.  'I'he 
men  are  engaged  by  a  lleadinaii,  to  whom  alone  they  are  siilijeet,  and  who  diiiM'is 
the  sealing  operations,  'i'he  i  icw  i  throiiirh  ihcir  Chiel'i  deteimine  what  ]daces  shall 
be  visiti-il,  and  when  thi^y  shall  return  home.  The  i'a|itain  has  sjujply  to  navigate 
the  vessel  from  one  haunt  of  the  steals— calh'd  a  "rookery" — to  another,  in  order 
that  the  men  who  are  on  shares  may  have  the  best  o))poi'tuuity  of  doing  well  as  fur 
us  they  are  inclined  out  of  the  tri)>. 

We  agreed  to  go  with  the  scalers,  and  forthwith  all  hands  set  about  jireparing  for 
the  expedition,  repairing  the  whale-boat,  cutting  se.-il-clulis,  nntking  bullets,  ami 
jiacking  up.  'i'heii  a  start  was  made  for  a  "  whi>'  rookery"  at  I'.iideriiy  Island.  A 
"rookery"  is  a  home  of  seals  in  the  interstices  of  rocks  near  tlu  water's  edge. 
What  sealers  know  as  a  "  whig  rookery  "  is  one  wliieh  is  only  oeeasionally  tho  haunt 
of  adult  seals,  and  is  not  a  breeding  pla<-e.  The  "take  "  depends  up<Mi  whether  the 
seals  hajipcu  to  be  "at  home"  or  not.     They  were  not  "  at  home"  on  this  occasion. 

Tho  next  "rookery"  chosen  for  a  visit  was  at  North-west  Cnjie,  7  miles  from  Fort 
Ross,  and  acro.sB  mountains  over  1.<K)(>  feet  high.  \Vc  found  ilie  track  Idoiked  up 
with  snow,  so  while  we  were  waiting  for  the  snow  to  melt  on  the  hills  hunting, 
excursions  were  made,  and  three  w  ild  i)igs  were  killed. 

The  sealer  is  armed  with  a  club,  which  is  a  stick  with  a  hook  at  one  end.  The  club 
is  used  to  stun  the  seals  by  striking  them  on  the.  nose  at  close  (|iiaiters,  and  the  liook 
serves  to  bring  to  a  halt  seals  which  are  escaping  from  their  holes,  or  rookeries,  into 
the  sea  when  thoj'  are  attacked  by  tlie  hunters.  'I'o  reach  the  rookeries,  which  are  on 
the  face  of  steep  clilVs,  invariably  on  the  weather  side  of  the  ishunU.  ilie  se:ilers  have 
to  travel  over  the  mountains  from  the  sheltered  side,  where  their  vessel  lies  at  anchor. 
These  journeys,  which  are  made  in  winter  while  the  snow  is  falling  liea\ily,  and  over 
iilmost  impassable  country,  arc  toilsoini'  and  exhausting  in  the  extreiiie.  The  men 
can  carry  little  food  or  blankets  in  addition  to  the  eijuipment  for  circnnn  eiiling  the 
seals,  and  half  starved,  and  without  any  shelter  beyond  what  the  rocks  allnrd.  they 
for  several  days  pursue  the  seals  until  all  the  jirey  is  either  killetl  or  dii\  en  away. 
Jhit  it  is  in  dcscendingtho  cHrt's  to  reach  the  rookeries  that  the  most  d.ingcioiis  ])art 
of  the  work  is  done.  Sometimes  there  is  a  sheer  descent  of  l.ticK)  feet  to  the  sea.  on 
the  edge  of  which  the  seals  make  their  home.  The  nii'ii  are  let  down  one  after 
another  by  their  companions,  some  of  whom  reiiiiiin  above  to  haul  ii])  I  iieir  comrades 
and  the  s^inswhen  the  hunt  i.s  over.  When  the  scene  of  aeti(Mi  is  reaciied  th<'  boots 
are  replaced  with  a  sort  of  idaite<l  slipjier,  made  by  the  .Maoris,  and  which  uives  a 
btdter  foothold  on  tho  slippery  rocks  w  hen  leaping  alioiit  after  the  escaping  seals. 
The  rookeries  are  fi)rnied  liy  massi's  of  rock  I'allinj;  from  the  clilVs.  in  time  they  gi't 
covered  over  with  earth,  so  as  to  form  a  sort  of  roof.  It  is  only  in  these  places  that 
the  fur-seal,  which  is  the  valiuible  article  of  commerce,  is  found.  The  hair-seal  is 
of  no  value,  as  the  hide  is  too  oily  to  tan  into  ordinary  leather.  The  seals  ;;o  into 
the  rookeries  to  breed  and  to  sleep  alter  a  sj)p1I  at  sea,  and  the  Ininters  have  1o  creep 
int»i  the  holes  and  crevices  between  tho  roi'ks  to  gt?t  them.  The  seal  will  light  hard 
when  put  to  it.  The  old  seals  are  mostly  spared,  as  their  fur  is  olteii  torn  from 
lighting,  or  worn  oft'  by  rubbing  against  the  rocks,  and  tin  y  are  left  to  miilti]dy  the 
species,  ^\'hen  an  old  seal  is  met  with  the  liunt<r  lies  jn'rfectly  llat,  and  all;)ws  the 
animal  to  ereej»  over  him.  SometimcB  the  seals  get  so  far  hack  in  the  rocks  that  a 
man  cannot  follow  thcni,  in  which  case  they  are  jmlled  out  to  a  more  ojieii  space  by 
means  of  the  book  and  clubbed.  While  the  hunters  tire  raiding  the  interior  of  tho 
rookeries,  some  of  thi>  \r,\rty  stay  outside  to  interi  cpt  any  that  may  try  to  iscape, 
like  fox  terriers  watching  tiie  holes  of  a  warren  till  the  rabbits  bolt.  Alter  knock- 
ing all  the  seals  on  the  nose  and  sticking  them  in  the  first  onslaught,  the  hiinters 
proceed  to  skin  the  animals.  The  carcasses  are  thrown  into  the  water.  If  they 
were  left  on  the  rocks  the  seals  would  avoid  the  jdace  for  a  considerable  time. 

The  North-west  Hookery,  which,  as  I  have  said,  was  one  of  the  lirst  vi-iited  by  the 
party,  can  only  be  reached  by  crossing  a  "  razor-back,'' or  lonical  shaped  en  eway, 
which  comes  to  a  sharp  point  with  the  sea,  70U  feet  below,  on  both  sides.     iSome 


2(14 


KKIMUJT    OF    ItlMllsH    ( OMMIS^IONKIJS. 


fi  <l. 


lit!  of  tlic  iiK'ii  wiilkrd  it.  Iiiit  ollicrs  nl'  Icis  iiciii  nerve  crnHsril  iiNtriulilliv  Tlio 
<l:iii^ri' i.s  iiii'iraHi-)!  owiii^  to  tin-  I'liiilili'  iimIihc  nt'  tlii'soil,  wliirli  Hlipa  friiiii 
iiiiiliM  tlir  Icct.  i'lie  7  iriilfs  wiilk  to  (  Ik'  Kiiiki'i'v  iiihI  liack  to  rml  Kohh  is  one  ol'  lini 
inimt  Hi'V<i'(>  on  tin-  mlantl.  A  to;;  iiinm  on,  anil  the  |>arl,v  lost  tlit'ir  way  iinnin;;  tlio 
liilJH.  Thuy  diviilut  into  paim,  and  Hoinudid  not  Kut  Uuck  tor  hours  alter  the  otliofH. 
•  «  *  «  »  ••  • 

A  roii;;li  trip  was  niiide  in  tlio  wliaU'-lioat  to  t lie  (io\ eminent  depAt  at  Carnley 
Ilai'lioiir,  ill  tlio  hope  that  some  hoots  would  he  olitaiiieil  tor  oiir  jtiirt.v,  wlio  niiioh 
lu-etled  Ihelll,  hut  there  Were  no  hoots  there;    hut  we  ^ol  some  elntlies. 

A  stait  waB  ,.iade  ui-ross  the  island  next  morning;  to  tho  Red  K'or'k  {{ookery  on  the 
Western  Hide.  Oiir  loii;;est  rojie  (!,lKMMeel)  reijiiired  tliri'o  men  to  earry  it,  eaeli 
havlii;;  a  coil  on  his  shonhler,  with  a  slack  piece  hctweeii  tlm  hearers.  The  total 
desei  lit  to  the  rocd<ery  was  HUO  feet,  and  it  was  undertaken  in  two  loiiKtliH,  the  first 
landin^-ltlace  heini;  at  a  iliop  of  alioiit  i>(iil  t'eet.  The  lirst  man  who  (tied  hy  the 
waist  I  is  let  down  runs  j^reat  risk  frt'ii  dis!od;!;iii}r  loose  stones,  which  may  tall  upon 
his  head.  As  he  ;;oes  down,  a  look  out  man,  on  a  |)roj<M't in;;  jioint,  n'lvvt^  the  si;;tial 
to  "  stop  "  or  to  "  lowi-r  away  ''  from  lime  to  time.  When  live  men  fjot  on  to  tlie  lirst 
led^o,  tiiey  heljied  each  other  to  ^et  to  the  hottoni,  while  coinmnnli  ation  was  main- 
tained with  those  overhead  hy  means  of  notes  stuck  ill  thestrand  of  tlio  ro])e,  wiiidi 
waH  haiiliMl  u])  on  a  NJL;iial  hein;;  ;;ivcn.  If  firewood  is  to  he  ^ot  it  in  thrown  down 
on  to  the  rucks,  hut  at  the  rookery  I  am  s|ie;ikiii;<;  of  tin-  shore  was  lined  with  plenty 
<f  fuel  from  the  wreck  of  the  "Derry  (  asile." 

After  the  scaling;  parly  had  descendel,  tlioir  coniradcH  niado  anothor  trip  hack  to 
the  hoat  for  more  reiinisites  for  campiit;;  as  comforlaldy  as  ])osHil>lu,  as  thiH  ]>laco  is 
tlio  head-(|iiartcrs  for  atlackin;;  all  tin?  rookorics  in  the  locality,  all  of  which  aro 
within  a  radius  of  1,'S  milcH. 

On  tho  fourth  <hiy  the  hunters  roappeared,  and  Hi<;nilied  to  those  wlio  had  kt^pt  a 
constant  watch  on  their  movements  to  sc((  if  they  wanted  anythinj;  sent  down,  that 
tlio  hunting  was  over.  'I'hey  sent  iiii  forty  two  skins,  which  was  nioro  than  they 
(«xpecte<l,  and  when  tho  whole  of  the  party  miisterud  again  on  tlio  to])  of  the  moun- 
tain, they  were  in  v«'ry  ;;ood  s]>irits  accordingly. 

The  next  rookery  chosen  for  a  rai<l  was  called  "Tho  Point,"  hecjinso  the  lowering 
is  down  from  the  end  of  a  promontory.  The  landiiii!-]dac<>  is  a  narrow  jtieeoof  sward 
sloping  towards  the  sea,  which  is  ahoiit  inn  \ards  h)wer  down. 

The  "Cave"  Kookcry,  so  designated  hecaus(?  tln^  seals  aro  found  in  u  natural  ravo, 
ai.J  tlie  Nineteen  h'ookery,  whose  title  indicates  the  niiinliorof  skins  taken  when  it 
was  lirst  visitetl.  These  were  assailed  in  turn,  and  while  wait iiig  for  snow,  which 
put  a  stop  to  further  active  operations,  to  melt,  the  skins  wen^  <luly  salted  and  ridlcd 
U])  in  tho))cculiar  manner  which  prevents  the  inside  of  the  ])elt  toindiing  and  injur- 
ing the  fur. 

'\'\w  next  and  last  rookei 


leap,  so  that  you  will  strike  the  lanMing-place.  instead  ot  Iteing  daKlietl  hy  the 
momentnmof  tlie  swing  against  the  rocks  if  the  loop  is  too  long,  or  swing  fruitlessly 
hack  if  it  is  too  short.  Only  a  few  skins  were  got,  and  the  ]>arty  were  greatly  tlisap- 
]ioiiited  after  all  their  risk  ami  lahoiir.     'J'he  total  take  of  skins  uas  ITS. 

A  start  W!is  made  to  return  to  the  vessel.     Again   heavy  snow  fell,  and  it  was  not 
]ioBsjhle  to  l»>ave  Niuiuan  Inlet  for  two  days,  hut  finally  the  schooner  was  reached. 
**  #  #  *  •  »  # 

On  arriving  at  tho  hoat  from  Normim  Inlet  tli(>  <|iiostion  wa«  ilohated  whether  we 
should  proceed  to  the  Caniphell  I.'dands  and  jirolong  the  trip  at  least  two  months,  or 
•'lose  it  at  once  and  get  ha<'k  home.  Captain  Drew  was  in  f.ivoiirof  coming  away, 
chielly  hocause  the  young  seal-skins,  which  were  the  Ki'catcr  portion  of  the  take, 
were  not  jiroporly  "prinioil"  by  ago  and  salt  water  to  lie  ot  the  full  value. 


17. — I'Jxtraclg  from  I'timphUt  hy  Mr.  A.  If.  Sroll  on  the  Fiir-acnh  of  the  Southern  Ifenii- 

uphrrr.  /.s','.)'. 

In  "Mammalia,  Keceiil  and  I'.xtiiK't,"  )iiililishcd  in  Sydm'y  hy  tho  (iovornniont  of 
New  South  Wales,  Mr.  A.  W.  Scott  writes  as  follows: 

"  1  have  enilc;ivoiired  ....  hy  devoting  as  much  space  as  my  limits  vvnnhl 
])crniit,  to  the  consideration  of  the  :inimals  whosi^  ])ro(lucts  an^  of  such  commercial 
value  to  man,  aixl  whose  extinction  would  so  seriously  atfoct  liis  interests,  to  ])oint 
out  the  ju'cssiiig  neicssity  lli.il  exists  tor  devising  the  means  of  prolectiun  for  tho 
fur  seals  and  tlie  sperm  and  right  whales  of  the  Southern  Ocean. 

•  •••••• 


illiv  Tlio 
li|)8  from 
me  of  tlio 

IIIOII^     tllll 

lie  otIiorH. 

• 

t  Cariilry 
h'lio  iiinrh 

iry  on  t)i<' 
V  it,  iMirli 
Tlio  tiitui 
4,  llin  lirst 
.Ml  »»y  llii- 

fslll    ll)><>ll 

tlic  Hi;ili:il 
to  til*'  iM'Ht 
wiiM  Ilia  ill - 
)ji<',  wliifli 
)\VII  ilowii 
itii  plfiity 

ijt  liiU'k  to 
liH  jilaco  is 
wliirli  ai« 

liad  kt'|it  a 

hiwii,  that 

I  than  tli«y 

tlio  inoiin- 

II!  lowering 
io  of  Bwnni 

itlllill  CUVC, 

»'ii  wIkmi  it 

low,  wliiili 

aii<l  rollnl 

111(1  iiijur- 

icrs.  It  iH 
1,  tliionjili 
lilV  isclosi- 

lliocliasiii 
;tli  for  tilt' 

(1   l>y   tlif. 

rniitlcs.sly 
atly  «li»a|i- 

it  was  not 
roaflit'd. 

# 

ihctlior  w(! 

iiioiitlis,  or 
II  inn  i>way, 

f  thu  take, 


llicni  Ifemi- 


iiriiniont  of 

nits  wonUl 
joiiiiiu'rcial 
to  point 
liun  for  tlio 


UKPOUT    OF    HKITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


265 


"Tlio  islantlN  uf  tlio  Soiitliorn  Soas,  now  lyiiiu  harii'ii  aixi  wasto,  arc  not  only 
niinicroiiH,  Init  ailiiiiradiv  Niiit*><l  for  tin'  )>roiliirtiiin  aiitl  niaiia<r<'iiii>iit  of  tlirNr  valii- 
aliii'  aiiiinalH,  and  n<'<-d  only  llic  Hiiii|>li>  ({vj^iilationM  i-nloro-il  liv  the  Anu'rii'an  l.c^^is- 
latiin'  to  roHiiHcitatc  tint  prt'Hfiit  Hlatc  of  dt-iay  ol'  a  iiiirc  roiiiiiiirralivo  tradf,  and  to 
lii'iii|r  into  full  vigour  aiiotlici'  iiiiportant  cxpnit  lo  I  lie  iiciny  wr  already  poHst^HN. 

"A  dt'taili'd  act'oiint  of  tlit.'  lialiits  of  llir  I'lir  Hcal  of  llio  AiH'klaiid  iHlaiidH  liaH 
rt'cciitly  h'Tii  yivfii  liy  Mr.  MnsjirMvc"  inairaliv<-  of  ilir  wreck  of  tlii'  "(iraftoii," 
Mcllioiirtic,  lM(i">)  "  wliicli  lie  actinirrd  diiniin  a  coiiipnlHory  n'Midfiirr  in  tln-ir  midst 
of  nt'arly  twenty  montlis.  Of  tlie  ffin.ili'H,  In-  relati-H  that  'their  noKti  riHemhleN  that 
of  a  do<r,  I'lit  in  Nomowliat  liroader;  their  Hreiit  appears  to  he  ver.\  acute,  'the  eyeH 
ari'  lar^ejof  a  nreoii  colour,  watery,  and  liiHtrelesM.  When  on  shore  they  ap]ii'ar  to  he 
constantly  weeping. 

"'In  the  hitter  part  of  Deeemher,  and  during;  the  whoUi  of  .laniiary,  fliev 
1!)2  itre  on  shore  a  ^reat  deal,  and  f;o  wandering  separately  llii'on};h  the  hush,  ami 
into  the  loiiK  K'"'^'*'*  <"■  "'"  Hi<les  of  tli*'  luouiitains  alio\e  (he  IiiihIi,  constantly 
hellowiii);  out  in  the  iiiost  dismal  manner.  They  are  iindoulitedly  looking;  out  for  a 
)ilai!c  siiilahle  forcalvin^r  in.  I  have  known  them  ^o  toa  distance  of  more  than  a  mile 
from  the  water  for  this  purpose. 

"  '  Females  l>o;;iii  to  hreed  when  1.'  ytvirs  old,  aiitl  carry  their  calv«m  eleven  months, 
and  suckle  them  lor  alioiit  three  months. 

"  '  ftel'ore  they  have  their  calves  the  cows  lit^  sometimes  in  small  molts  (  from  twelve 
to  twenty),  aH  well  aH  while  ^iviiiK  suck,  and  there  are  generally  one  or  two  hiillH  in 
each  iiiob.     The  cows  are  evidently  hy  far  the  most  muiiieroii8.' 

"Of  tlui  hahits  of  the  very  yoiiiifj,  lie  says: 

"'Itiuinht  he  supposed  tiiat  these  animals,  even  when  youny:,  vvoulil  readily  jjo 
into  tlio  water — that  heiiifr  one  of  their  natural  instincts — hut,  stran;;e  to  say,  such 
is  not  thec:iso;  it  is  only  with  the  greatest  dilliciilty,  and  a  woii<lerfiil  tlisplay  (d' 

itatienco,  that  the  mother  succeeds  in  fjettin;;  her  yoiint;  in  for  the  lirst  time.  1  have 
mown  a  cow  to  ho  three  days  jjettinn  her  calf  down  liall-a-mile,  and  into  the  water; 
and,  what  is  most  surin'isinfr  of  all,  it  cannot  swim  when  it  is  in  the  water.  This  is 
a  most  ainiisinK  fact.  The  mother  f^ets  it  on  her  hack,  and  swims  alonu:  very  f^ently 
on  the  top  of  the  water,  hut  the  ]>oor  little  tiling  is  hh'atin;;  all  the  while,  and  con- 
tinually falling  from  its  Hlippery  position,  wlu^ii  it  will  splutter  alioiit  in  the  water 
precisely  like  a  little  hoy  who  ;jots  beyond  hisde|>lhand  cannot  swim.  Then  the 
mother  ^ets  henciith  it,  and  it  a^ain  jxcIh  on  her  h.ick.  Thus  they  ^ooii,  the  mother 
freiiuently  fjiviiifi  an  an^ry  bellow,  theyouii<r  one  constantly  bleating  and  cryiii;j, 
fre<|uently  falling;  oif,  s])luttering  and  avWiwfr  on  a^aiii,  very  often  ^cttin^  a  slap 
from  the  Hipper  of  the  mothi^r,  and  sometimes  she  };iv(>s  it  a  very  cruel  bite.  'I'he 
])oor  little  animalH  are  very  often  seen  with  their  skins  jiitu'ced  and  l:icerated  in  the 
most  friK'hlful  manner.  In  tlii.'*  niaiincr  they  ^o  on  until  they  Lave  niado  their  pas- 
satje  to  whatever  jdace  she  v  ishes  to  take  her  yoiinj;  one  to.' 

"The  males  are  described  ■  '.us: 

'"One  of  a  iiKMliiim  si/.e  will  measure  about  (>  feet  from  noso  to  tail,  and  about  6 
or  7  feet  in  circumference,  and  wei^h  about  .'>  cwt.  They  by  far  exceed  these  tliinen- 
Hioiis,  The  fur  and  skin  are  superior  tothoseof  the  female,  beiii);  much  thicker.  (Jii 
the  neck  and  shoulders  he  has  a  thicker,  Ion<;er,  and  much  coarser  co:it  of  fur,  which 
may  be  almoHt  termed  bristles;  it  is  frcuii  li  to  -l  inches  long,  and  can  be  riiDled  u)> 
and  made  to  stand  erect  at  will,  which  is  always  doin;  when  they  attack  each  other 
on  shore  or  are  surprised,  sitting  as  a  <l()g  would  do,  with  their  head  erect,  and  look- 
ing towards  the  object  of  tludr  surprise,  and  in  this  attitude  they  have  all  the  a]i)iear- 
aiice  of  a  lion.  They  begin  to  come  into  the  )>ays  in  the  month  of  October  and 
remain  until  the  latter  end  of  February,  eaili  one  selecting  and  taking  up  his  own 
]>articular  beat  in  a  great  niea.sure;  but  sometimes  tlu^re  are  siiveral  about  the  same 
])laee,  in  which  case  they  fight  most  furiously,  never  coming  in  contact  with  each 
other  (either  in  or  out  of  the  water)  without  engaging  in  the  iimst  desperate  combat, 
tearing  large  pieces  of  skin  and  tlesh  from  each  other;  their  skins  are  always  full  of 
wounds  and  scars,  which,  however,  apjiear  to  heal  very  <|nickly. 

'"Attliis  place  we  sawbundreds  of  seals;  both  the  slnucs  and  the  water  were  lit- 
erally swarming  with  them,  both  the  tiger  and  black  seal,  but  in  general  the  tiger 
seals  keep  one  side  of  the  harbour,  and  the  l)lack  seals,  which  are,  much  the  largest, 
the  other  side,  but  in  ono  instance  we  saw  a  black  and  a  tiger  seal  fighting.'     .     .     . 

"Mr.  Morris,  of  Sydney,  for  many  years  a  sciler  by  jtrofession,  in  addition  to  the 
inl'ormation  already  ((iiotcd  in  p.  15,  lia>i  kindly  fiirnished  me  with  the  following 
interesting  jtarticiilars  of  the  history  of  the  southern  fur-seal  lishery  and  the  habits 
of  the  animal,  which  have  the  advantage  of  being  derived  from  his  own  personal 
ex)»erience. 

"  From  him  I  learned  the  follow'.. .g  particulars: 

"  '  The  females  in  September  come  on  shore  to  pup,  and  remain  until  about  March. 
Tilt!  |in]is  are  born  Idack,  but  soon  change  to  grey  or  silvery  grey.  The  herd  then  go 
to  sea  for  the  remaining  portion  of  the  year,  returning  again  Id  September  with 
regularity. 


fli 


26G 


HErORT   OF    KRITIKH    COMMIS.S10NKK8. 


'"  Diiriii);  tliiit  niiNi'iir<>  in  tli(>  N<<a  thn  iii:il<>  |iii))m  Iiuvo  cliiiiiiriwl  from  the  f^rny  to  a 
I'i^lit  brown  colour,  wliilo  tin-  t(Mniil<>H  riMn!>.in  ntiMlicitMl. 

" 'In  N<!W  South  \Vh1«*h  ill*)  HtalinLT  trade  witn  at  its  lii'ii;lit  troni  IXti)  to  IS'JO,  tli<> 
tirot  Hysteiiiutin  proiuot«r8  of  whii-li  \vi>ro  tlit<  Syiln<\v  tiiniM  of  Citlil)'.  l.onl,  nnd 
Underwood;  Kilieitnd.lonnH;  Itirnir;  iind  llook  and  Cainplii'll.  IMiiM'iHMfis  i>in)ili>yi>d 
li.v  tlicni  were  nitinned  by  cruwN  of  from  twrnty-livo  to  twrntv-i-iKl't.  men  each,  nnd 
W'Tu  tittod  out  for  a  cruize  of  twelve  niontliM. 

•"The  mode  of  capture  adopt*^!  was:  The  men  selecteil  fur  the  Hliore  jinrty  would 
number  f^om  tix  to  ci^^hteen,  thiH  bein^  r<'};ulat(>d  by  the  nioro  or  Ichn  nnnierouH  ^alh- 
erin^;  of  BealH  iM;en  in  the  rookery.  ThoHe  nu^n  alwayrt  land  well  to  leeward,  mh  the 
Neeiit  of  the  animal  in  very  keen,  and  raiitioii.sly  keep  aloni;  the  ed^e  of  the  water 
in  onler  to  cut  otf  the  possi hi lity  of  retreat;  then  when  abreaHt  of  the  nnd>  tbi\v 
apiiroach  the  8ealn  and  drive  them  up  the  heiirh  to  rtonie  eonveiiient  Hpot,  an  a  Hniall 
nook  or  naturally  formed  ineloiinre;  this  aneoniplixhed,  one  or  two  men  ^o  in  to  tlie 
attack,  while  the  otherH  remain  enKap'd  in  )ireventiii);  outliretikH.  Ahmoou  aw  a  Hulli- 
eient  number  have  been  ttlaiu  to  erect  a  wall  of  the  dead,  then  all  hands  ruub  in  to 
the  general  luaHsacro,'" 


193 


ArrKNDix  (E). 

Sr.Al.   ritKS|-.HVATIt>\    KK(il'I.ATIt).\S    AM)   OltlUNANCnS. 

Falkland  iHlanda.  I  ,lHpan. 

Cape  of  CJood  Hope.  |  Newfoundland, 

(ireonland  ScaH. 


kit  f'H'i 

m 


rAI.KI.AN'l)   Isi.AN'l>a. 

[By  liis  Kxt'i'llciify  TliiiiiiaM  KiTr,  Uovernor.] 

No.  4,  IHHl. 

An  Ordiiinnrf  f-i  prnriih  for  thv  rHlM'mhmentof  a  Clour  Tiiiir  in  the  Sral  Fisliery  of  the 
h'alkland  hlainlH  and  their  Itejn'iideneirn  itnii  Ihv  Seas  ailjiivvnt  thereto. 

Wbereas  the  seal  fiHhery  of  tliese  islands,  which  was  at  one  time  a 
Hoiirce  of  prcdit  and  advantage  to  the  <Milonists.  has  been  exhanstcd 
by  indiscriminate  and  wastefnl  fishing,  and  it  is  desiraltlo  to  revive 
nnd  ])r()tect  tbin  induHtry  by  the  establishment  of  n  close  time  during 
which  it  shall  be  unlawful  to  kill  or  capture  sealH  within  th«<  limits  of 
this  Colony  nnd  its  de))en<lencie8. 

He  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  (Jovernor  of  the  Falkland  Islands  and 
their  dep<'ndencies,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  J.ejjiMlative 
('ouncil  tbereof,  as  fi)!low8: 
CloHo  timi'  for     1.  No  perscm  shall  kill  or  capture,  or  attempt  to  kill  or  caj)tMre,  any 
Rpal  liHli'iy,  iiiiii  Heal  within  the  limitR  of  this  INdony  anil  its  ilejiendencics,  between 
III'  ii'cli'^""'  ''"^  t''®<l".v»''«'"<''"!'''«'i'  mentioned  (wliicli  interval  is  hercinaftiT  referred 
'  ""^ '■  to  as  the  close  season),  that  is  to  say,  between  the  1st  day  of  Octolier 

and  the  Ist  day  of  April  followin;;,  both  inclusive,  and  any  person  act- 
ing in  contravention  of  this  section  shall  forfeit  any  seals  killed  or 
captured  by  him,  and  shall,  in  addition  thereto,  incur  a  penalty  not 
exceeding  100/.,  and  a  further  penalty  of  5i.  in  respect  of  every  seal  so 
killed  or  captured. 
Linbillty  of     2.  Any  owner  or  master,  or  other  person  in  chnrge  of  nny  ship  or 
owner  iiiiil  iiiiiH-  vessel,  wbo  shall  permit  such  ship  or  vessel  to  be  em))!oycd  iu  killing 
tiTol  Bliip.  „p  (>npturing  seals,  or  who  shall  |)erniit  apy  jierson  belonging  to  such 

ship  or  vessel  to  be  employed  in  killing  or  caj>turing  as  aforesaid 
during  the  close  Reason,  shall  tVu'feit  any  seals  so  kille<l  or  captured, 
and,  in  addition  thereto,  shall  be  liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding 
300/.  for  each  offence. 
Pnin'rutloii  of  3.  Every  offence  under  this  Ordinance  may  be  prosecuted,  nnd  every 
otKiicus.  penalty  under  this  Ordinance  may  be  recovered,  before  the  Folice 

Alagistrate  or  any  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  iu  a  Hunnuary  manner,  or 
by  action  fn  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  Colony,  together  with  full 
costs  of  Buit:  Provided  that  the  penalty  impcvscd  by  the  Police  Magis- 
trate or  two  Jiutioe*  shall  not  exceed  100/.,  exclusiVo  of  ooata. 


(frey  to  n 

IS-.Xi,  tlie 
.oril,  niid 
(MiiployiMl 
«iu'h,  niwl 

rty  woiiM 

ril,  MM    tlic 
(111'    WIltlT 

iiKtt)  they 
iH  a  Hiiiitil 
ill  to  tlio 
I  UN  ii  siitti- 
iiihU  in  to 


hfry  of  the 

u>. 

)lll'  tiino  !l 

>\liaUHt«Ml 
111  rcvivo 
lie  (luring 
liiiiitH  of 

slaiiils  and 
A-fjislalive 

|it  iir*",  any 
lictwccii 
•r  rot«'rn>il 

ifOctdlilT 

icrsoii  ai't- 
kilk'd  or 
enalty  not 
ery  seal  so 

ny  Bliip  or 
lu  killiii>; 
Iff  til  siicli 
aforesaid 
capttired, 
exceeding 

mid  every 
tlie  I'olice 
inuiiner,  or 
with  lull 
ice  Magis- 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 

Oiio-lialf  of  ovrr."-  penalty  UTovi-n-d  under  tliin  Ordiiiaiice  8liall  l>e 
]  uid  to  till*  pt'l'siiii  ^^'llll  pniM-i'iltrd  tin-  nllrncr  or  Hiied  for  Hitcli  penalty. 

All  liner,  fnrl'i-it  II  res,  and  peiialtieH  reeovered  nnder  tliin  OrdinaneA 
where  mil  otherwiMe  hereiiilii'lore  |irii\  Ided,  Hliall  lie  to  llerMajeHiy, 
her  lieirH  and  Hiieci  hmoi-h,  and  nhall  In-  paid  to  the  Troiutiirer  for  the  ime 
of  the  (ioverniiieiit  of  tliii*  (Joliiny. 

For  all  purposes  of  and  incidental  to  the  trial  and  pnnixhnient  of 
any  perHon  areiiseil  of  any  olfenee  iindiM'  tluH  ( >r<lina!iee,  and  the  pro- 
eeeiliiif^s  and  inattirs  preliiniiiarx  and  iiieidental  toaiid  ('oiiHe<|uential 
on  IiIn  trial  and  puiiislnncnt,  and  fur  all  piirpo.teH  of  and  inrideiital  to 
the  jiirimlivtion  of  itny  Court,  or  of  uny  eoimtahle  or  oltleer  with 
reference  to  Hiirh  offence,  the  oll'ence  xhall  be  deemed  to  have  lieeii 
roiiiinitted  either  in  tlie  ]ii:ire  in  which  it  waH  actually  coniinitted,  or 
in  any  jdace  in  which  I  lie  otreiider  inny  for  (he  time  heiiijj  he  foniid. 

4.  Where  tlie  owner  or  in;iHler  of  a  Nliipor  vesHel  ih  ad,jndf;ed  to  pay 
n  penalty  tor  an  olVeni  <■  under  (Imh  Ordinance,  theConrt  may,  in  addi- 
tion to  any  other  jiower  they  may  have  for  the  piirpoHe  of  conipellinjr 
]iaynient  of  Midi  pennlty,  direct  the  Name  to  he  levied  by  diHtreNH  or 
arreMtnient,  and  H.ile  i  f  the  said  Hhip  or  vensel  and  her  tackle, 

ft.  Ill  til Ih Ordinance  the  exprcsNion  "Heal"  meaiiH  the  "fur-Heal,"  the 
"Bea-otter,"  the  "hair-Heal,"  the  "hia-eiephant,''  the  "Neu-Ieojiard," 
and  the  "Hca-dojr,'' and  incliiden  any  animal  of  t)ie  Heal  kind  which 
may  lie  found  witliin  the  liinitH  of  this  ('olony  and  itn  dependencicH. 

0.  This  Ordinance  may  be  cited  aH  "The  Seal  FiHherv  Ordinance, 
1881." 

fsKAt,.]  (Sijjned)  T.  Kkhh,  Goremor. 

PasHiMl  the  l.e<rislative  Comiril  thin  27tli  day  of  l>eceml>er,  l'<81. 


267 


l.indilit  V  of 
iliip  111  |ieiiiill.v. 


I  till  II  it  ion 

MfUl.    " 


SIlur'.  litla. 


of 


(Signed) 


John  WitKiiir  Cut.i.i.Ns, 

link  to  the  Council. 


194 


C.M'K    III    (JiiOIi    Ilol'K. 

Ciipf  liovfniminl  Sulice, 


,si:ai.  isi.anii. 


IIIh  rxcelleiicy  flic  riovcniMr.  haviiiji  lieen  pleased  toderide  that  the  seal  island  In 
Mussel  Hay  sIimII  lint  lie  Krniiti'd  on  lease  fur  the  present,  liereliy  prohiliits  all  persmm 
fnnii  distiirliin)r  the  HcalH  on  the  Haid  island,  anil  warns  tli<!in  from  trcspaRHiiif;  there 
after  this  notice  on  )iain  of  ]iroHeciitioii. 
Ity  Command  of  his  Kxcellcucy  the  Govcrinir. 

(.Signed)  John  Montaoi'ic, 

Sitnluri/  to  Cioi'irnmcnt, 
Cui.oNiAi.  Oil  i(  i:, 

Cajte  of  Good  llnpr,  Ajuil  J'.',  IS  1 1. 


LTasmaMA.      See  p.  158.] 


J  A  CAM. 


Regulation*  for  the  Protevtion  of  Ihc  rur-Snil  I'lshviy  Uaucd  hy  the  Japnneee  Government 

ill  (hliihcr  AS7cS'. 

Article  1.  In  view  of  ])rotcctin)i  Hoal-hiinting  and  checking  foreign  poachers,  a 
vonsel  of  foreign  typcghall  be  commissioned  to  cruize  in  the  neighlioiiriiood  of  It  nip. 
"('hishimainaru"  Hliall  be  commissioned  for  this  jiurpose  for  the  time  being. 

Art.  'J.  The  mode  of  killing  Hhall  mainly  be  by  clubbing,  and  the  UHeof  giuiH  ahall 
be  avoided  as  iniu^h  as  jiossilde. 

Art.  3.  Young  Heals  nhall  be  Hpared  an  nindi  an  poBsible. 

Art.  4.  'i'he  niiniber  of  Bealn  to  be  caught  within  1  ri  of  coast-line  shall  not  exceed 
forty-live  per  aiinuin. 

Art.  6.  Between  the  mouths  of  May  and  November  the  killing  of  seala  within  1  rl 
of  ooast-liue  is  prohibited. 


tr'i 

■■] 


♦2(;h 


UKrouT  OF  iiurriHii  commihsionkks. 


Ai't.li,  Any  jiitmiui  wlm  calcliiH  wiiiiiiilo<l  <ir  rri|i|tli'il  NeiilN  wtiHlit-il  mmIidi'i',  rvrii 
>\  illiiii  till- |Hi>liiliiiiiiii  limit,  hIiiiII  In-  |tai<l  in  nioniy  or  in  kitnl  iirrortlin^  in  llm 
i|iialily  of  tlii    r<kin. 

Art.  7.  'I'o  pii'Vi-nl  tliiMlnrri'iimi  of  mhiIii  by  <'iiri<leHH  rlniHinu  iin«i  wiinton  killinu, 
it|ioriiil  I'liif  hIi  III  iihvaVN  Itr  tnUi-n.  an<l  tin-  |>rev<-iili Vf  md-iIioiI   mIi:iII  Im>  t-Htalilislii'il. 

Art.  H,  I'lii'  niiiiilii'r  of  nimIs  tukt-n  uill  l>u  inM|H'i'i<'il,  ami  tlirlr  ^kinH  Hliall  ii\  lli*< 
jirooC  of  tli'ir  ayi'M. 

Art.  !*.  'I'  i<-  covfriiiu  anil  Itn-nlinK  Ht-aMon*,  &f.,  nliali  Im-  i-an'riilly  iiMcortikinoil  liy 
)ii'at'liriil  II  isrrv  atiiMiH. 

.\rt.  111.  I'rart  iral  oU-ifrviition**  ami  invii«ti|;atioiiH  ithull  lir  mail*-  »>*  In  tin-  trntli  of 
till' himIh  liif  in;;  or  I'lian^in^  tlii<  i-olonr  of  tlnir  (iir  airorilin^  to  ilitlerriit  M-aHoiiM. 

Art.  II.  .All  :i<-l  nil  I  invcNtivrittion  nliall  Im-  niailt-  uh  to  how  many  himIh  ran  lii>  i-aiiKlit 
iinnnally  if  tlii>  ii>i-  of  ^nim  l>i<  iliNcontiiincil,  anal  cIiiIim  ami  Ihiwn  iinil  iirrowH  do 
tiiiopit'il  inH.i'ail. 

Art.  \'J.   \\'\\i\ It  JinnlinK,  if  aiiNtliin^  o<'ciiri>  nki-ly  to  form  n<i  nlijort  for  fiitiirc 

invi-HtiKatioii,  a  niinntf  n-coril  shall  In-  kept. 

Art.  IK.  While  the  |ir<'Mi'iit  |{i';;nlaliiinH  nliail  lie  Nlriitly  olioynl  hy  all  thoNi*  who 
air  r<>H|MinNilii<'  for  seal -hiintiii);,  thny  ran  a<l<lr<-«N  Ihi'iiiHclvi's  to  tin*  uuthorit  ir-<  to 
rll'cct  ri-<|(iirr<i  itnu-mlmuntB  in  i-uhu  practiral  im-uiivtMiiitnccH  Hlinll  havo  ln-cn  <-x|>tt- 
rit^ncuil. 


.SV(//  and  (Hhr  Calching. 

Wo  lu'roliy  liivf  otir  HaiH'tion  to  the  K'i'-;nl:ition-i  for  ratcliin^  soalH  and  Hi-a-olfiTH, 
ami  lor  thr  Hale  ami  iin|iortalio!i  of  their  raw  HkinH,  and  order  the  naniu  tu  hv  pro- 
ninl;;atfd. 

[Hill  Iiii|M'riul  Majealy's  Sign- M annul.] 

[I'riry  Sral] 

Tlie  Kith  day  of  the  ll'lh  month,  l!»th  year  of  Meiji  fl>0«!). 

Counlur.ti);iied  hy  Coiint  I  lo  lliKonrMi, 

Minixlt'v  I'ffHidinl  of  the  Cahinet, 
Count   V.\MAii.\'r.\  Al(i'ii».Mi). 
Viiiixtir  it/  Sliilf  for  Hinnc  .iffaini. 

Co. lilt   MAISl'KArA    .MA.SAVO.Sili, 

MiiiiKlir  (»/■  Sliile  fur  Finance. 
Count   YA.M.MiAlA   Akiio.mo, 
MxttiMttr  iif  State  for      irivuUurv  and  Commerce. 


lOB 


Imperial  ttrdinanae  So.  SO, 


|{i:iilTI,AriON>'.     KOIl    CATCIIIXtl     SKAI.8     AMI     .«KA-OTTKI(.S,     ANI»     KOK    TilK     SAI.K     AN1> 
LMI-OIUAIION    OK    IIIKII:    ItAW    SKI.NS. 

Artii'le  1.  IVrsDiis  who  li:(ve  oM.-iinid  tin-  sjiei-ial  ]terniiHNioii  of  the  Miiii«iter  of 
State  for  .A^rienltiire  and  Coiiinii'ii'i',  in  aii-orilaiiee  with  tho  Heroml  paraf;riipli  of 
lierrie  No.  I)!  of  the  17th  year  ol'  Meiji,  iiia>  eii;;a^L>  in  eateliiiiji;  Heals  and  Heaotters 
diirini;  the  term,  and  within  the  limit.n  of  the  plaeen,  Hpeeithtd  for  the  piirpoHo  hy  the 
Hokkaido  l.oc-al  (iovuriiment. 

Kvery  ]iersoii  e,",t<  liiii^  seals  and  sea-otti-rs  nliall  at  all  tiiiicH  earry  a  certitieate  of 
Hiieli  )iermissioii,  and  whenever,  whetln-r  at  nea  or  on  shore,  any  ollieer  siipervisin;; 
seal  and  sea-otter  catehin^,  or  any  jioliie  otiieer,  demands  to  inM])eut  tht!  eertilieatf, 
the*  same  shall  he  iiiiiiiedi.'itely  jiiodiired. 

Art.  2.  Any  iierson  enKa^in^  in  eatrhin^  sealn  and  Heaedtcrs  shall,  «in  arrival  in 
Hokkaido,  report  the  name  and  tonnaj^e  of  the  vessel  and  the  names  of  her  erew  to 
an  ollieer  ilesi^nated  hy  the  Hokkaido  l.oeal  (iovornuierit  Ollico  for  that  purpose, 
and  shall  at  all  times  i-Nliihit,  on  the  mast  or  in  some  :>th<!r  eonsijienoiis  position  in 
tho  vessel,  :i  signal  spi'rially  adopted  hy  the  Hokkaido  Local  Uovernineut  (Mlieo  for 

.-..UU..I.J    ..II  ,ir.>  .ritil     ill     <..!  4  ..li  i  ti..-    uii.il.1     .I*,.!     .....k     ..**d.*-ci 


vessels  eii;i;a^eil  in  eatehiiii;  seals  ;ind  sea-otterH 
.\rt.  :{.   Any  jierson  do-iiiin^  to  sell  the  ra 


.\rt.  ;<.  Any  )ierson  do-iiiin^  to  sell  the  raw  nkins  of  Heals  and  sea-otters  shall  pro- 
diiee  the  samo  to  the  ollieer  mentioned  in  .Article  -'  hereof,  and  shall  have  the  seal  (a 
liraiid  may  !ie  used  instt^ad  of  a  seah  of  the  said  ollieer  stamped  tburcuii.  No  perso;. 
Hhall  be  permitted  to  Hell  nkins  not  biariiif^  nneh  Htuniii. 


UKITirr    OF    HlilTISII    COMMISSIONKKS. 


20!) 


tiiurce. 


Art.  I.  \VlHMii>vi>r  it  in  roiiiiil  tliitl  iiiiy  imthhh  jm  iln)Hl^till^  IId*  kiiiHof  Mials  ami 
Hill  iittrrM  not  Hlaiii|i<'il  liy  tli«  oDiri'r,  hh  |irii\  iilcd  in  t  li><  iiiiTcilinu  Atliclo,  into  any 
poii  <>!'  til)  Kni|iii'c,  iM'  JM  HiayiiiK  in  any  |i)ii't  of  tin-  Lni|iii'f  \Nitli  Hinh  HUiiiH  hiilni 
on  Ixiartl  it  vt'NNfl,  or  In  Hl■llill^,  <>r  iitli'iiiptiii^  to  hcII,  hih-Ii  Hkin^  in  tlio  iiiarkrt,  llm 
CiiKtoniM  or  |iolit'i>  oDii'i't-N  hIuiII  nt'i/n  tlii'  xaiiif,  uiiil  mIiiiII  iiiiiiitHliiiti-ly  niitko  I'oin- 
plaint  to  tliH  coniiictcnt  iinlliorili*'s. 

Itiil  till'  raw  Hkiim  ol'  ni'iiIm  ami  ni'iioIIitn  i'iiii;;lit  witliin  tin*  liTiitorv  of  HiiN'^ia  or 
of  llm  I'liitiMl  Stuti-H  of  Aiiiri'ira,  with  llio  |ii'i'niiHNion  nl'  tlio  <Iii\  I'rnnirnlH  <>{  tliimo 
riiiiiilrirH  ri'MpiTtivi'ly,  may  Im>  inipoilnl  into  tlio  Kinpiri',  proviilml  tlir  <>»  nor  or 
iiiastrr  of  till"  vrMHi'l  llrnt  priMliKi'M  ii  rritllii'ato  i»«nfil  iiy  a  roiiip.ii-nt  antliorily  of 
It'iiNNiii  or  tlir  I'liitrd  Slati'H,  or  liy  u  Kiiit>iaii  or  IJniliMl  Stutfs  Contnl  ii-Hiiliii);  in 
.lapan. 


Hctiiih  ttf   Vforedure  to  cnrry  nul  Ihe   l,'ri/iiliilinn'<  ronlrollhuj  Ihv  Seal  and  Sra->tllrr 

lliiiitinii,  Mail  III,  isss. 

Ai'ti  li<  1.  Till*  opi>n  Hi-iiHoti  for  hi'iiI  anil  Ni'iiottor  linntiriK  nIiiiII  Im>  troni  ihr  I.MIi 
April  to  lli(<  Itlst  Oi'iolii'r  in  ouch  .st-ar. 

Art.  2.  'I'hf  arrii  of  linntinK  hIiiiII  lir  all  thr  iNlaiiils  sitnatril  ciiMtwaiil  nt'  llrnp,  ami 
NiMilhwanl  of  shiniMliii,  of  the  Knrili's.  ami  it  will  In-  iliviili-il  iii*<>  tin  re  Hi-rlioiiH,  anil 
I'MT.N  yi-ar  only  out;  of  tlii'He  MiM-tioiis  Hhall  In- opi'iii'il  tor  hiintiii;.,. 

'I'hr  tirxt  HiM'lion  iiirlmlrH  hcvi-ii  iMiamis,  i.  c,  Iliiip,  Chirihoi,  IE,  i'  ^irlii-ilioa  |  f|, 
Itroughtun,  K'aikoki',  MiiHliir,  ami  Cliiriiikotan. 

The  Hi-cond  Hortion  inrlndttH  six  islamU,  i.  c,  .ShiniHliir,  Shiritoi,  ('shishir,  Sli-to- 
iii>pit  [f  |,  KaHlinit,  and  MatMiia. 

Till-  third  Ncrtion  inclmlos  twclvu  iHlaiiilH,  i.e.,  .Shanm-kot  '  Vrkki'rma  |  f|.  Kiir- 
ri-nkotaii,  Oiinikotaii,  Amis,  Mukurimhi,  Sliiircnwa  [fj,  I'liraniimhir.  I'oll.  '. nrksrar, 
Araito,  and  Shliiisl',<  . 

Art.  ;{.  Wilt',:  i  '  .at  JH  uoiiifr  out  for  liiMitir'^,  her  nainr,  tonnifc,  nul  tlii<  naiiins 
of  thr  i-r»\v  shall  ho  roporird  for  inspi'itioii  to  'ho  hram  li  o(ii<  •■  oi'  him!  and  si>a- 
ottrr  1  '■•iii>;  siiperinti'mliii^  nuthoritii-H,  rillii-r  ii;  ^finiiro,  in  ihurmiiity  of  Neninro, 
or  at  Shikolan,  in  tli«  county  of  ChiHliinia. 

.\rt.  1.  Whi'ii  the  hritnch  ollico  of  si'iil  and  sca-ottrr  hniitin;;  supiTiiiti'iidinir 
authorities  find  tin-  rrport  iiifiitioiutd  in  ArticU;  W  in  diir  loriii  on  inHpi-i'tion,  it  ^^  ili 
^\\t'  to  tho  hoat  II  tla^  lifn-iuiiflvr  shown. 

Art.  5.  .Viiy  prrson  who  wLslivs  to  i<xporl  and  srll  tin-  raw  liidrs  of  his  ratcli  sliall 
iirodiiri'  thi'iii  to  till-  Sliikotan  hi'iinrh  of  tlir  seal  and  t>i'a-utior  hunting  siipvriiiti-nd- 
ing  authorities,  und  shall  havu  tlicin  staniprd. 


Nkwhusdi.anf), 


kl.K     ANf» 


iliciite  of 
ivising 
rtilicate, 

rriviil  in 
rrrw  to 
purpose, 
isitioii  ill 
Hlico  for 


In  ri'jily  to  nn  inquiry  as  to  the  Ifegulations  for  the  protoetion  of  the  Iinir-Hrni 
fislii-ry  III  New'fouiidliiiid,  iiifornialion  to  the  following  elleet  was  kindly  fiiviilsiied 
by  Sir  'rerence  O'ltrien,  K.  (J.  M.  <i.,  the  (ioveriior  of  that  Colony. 

The  aecoinpaiiying  Aits  will  furnish  the  whole  lu<rislatioii  on  the  matter. 

The  Kegnlntioiis  extend  to  all  vessels  under  the  Kritish  tlag,  there  being  no  foreign 
vessels  «Migaged  in  the  lishery. 

The  Hegulationfl  are  acknowledged  to  be  etVcctual,  and  w-ere  iniicli  iieedrd  fur  the 
preservation  of  \\w  sealii. 

The  means  taken  to  enforce  the  Regulations  will  be  found  in  the  Acts  iiIiom-  men- 
tioned, wliirli.  it  iiiav  be  .-idded,  liave  no  force  in  extra-territorial  waters  as  siirh. 


ma 


270 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


! 


196  Nkwkoundlanu. 

Ada  rettpeclinp  the  I'roaecution  of  the  Seal  Fiahrry. 

ANNO  tJUADKAGKMMO  SKCUNDO   VICTOIU.K    KIUJIN-B. 
Cap.  I. — An  Act  reipecting  th«  I'roteeution  of  the  Seal  Fithery. 

[I'ASSKD   I'V.BRUAHV  22,   1879.) 

Section. 

1.  :i6  Vict.,  cap.  9,  ropoulivl. 

2    StcaincrH  not  to  sail  iH'fnn"  lOtli  Mnn-li ;  Penalty. 

3.  SailiiiKvcMMcls  not  to  sail  lii'lorc  1x1  M;inli:  TrnaKv. 

4.  Seals  not  til  bo  killed  lirfdie  IJtIi  Marcli:  I't'iiiili.v:  I'roviso;  Notice. 

5.  (.'atM  not  to  be  killed;  Penalty;  Delinition;  I'roviHO. 
fl.  Limitation. 

7.  TinicH  of  CIcarnnce:  I'rovixo;  Siinilays. 

8.  Uecovory  of  Penalties;  A|i|ii'opriatiun. 
0.  Ai)peal;' Proviso;  Kecogni/.iince. 

R  n  a  o  t  i  n  g  I?e  it  oiuKited  by  tbe  Govoriutr,  Lefjinliitivo  Couniil,  and  As.siMiilily, 
'''•'"■"■•  ill  I.ejjisliitivo  St-saion  convened,  i»,s  rollowH: 

:i(i  Vict.,  cap. 9,  I.  Tlio  Act  ]>aHHC(l  in  the  tliirty-HJstli  yc.ir  <>f  the  reifju  of  (fcr  pres- 
rcpealeil.  ^iit  Majesty,  entitled  "An  A<t  ti)  regiiliitts  tlio  I'losocutiou  of  Mm  Seal 

Fi.sliery,"  is  hereby  rt'iieiiicd. 

sieanier.mi -tto  jj,  Xo  stcaiiH'i- shall  leavo  j)iirt  for  tho  neal  tinborv  bel:)rti  the  lOtb 
Man'lT'""'     "''<Ji>.V  <>'' March  in  any  year,  under  the  i>eniilty  of  L',(iO()  dollars,  to  l.e 

i'enaity.  recovereil  from  the  owner  or  other  juTsoii  oil  whose  iiccoiint  tile  steiiiiuT 

sjiall  have  bi-en  sent  to  tiie  He;il  fishery. 

SailintivesswlR      m    j^-„  sailliiK-vessel  yluill  leave  poia  for  the  seal  fishery  before  tlio 

I's'i'  .Ma""!!  ''''"""  1«*  "'"y  "f  ^''"''■•'  '"  '"'•>'  >"•■''■■  "'"'*■'■  ^'"''  PO"''lty  «>f  JO*'  dollars,  to  bo 
rciiiiliv.'  recovered  f.viiii  the  owner  or  other  person  on  whose  account  such  ves- 

sel sliiill  ha  'e  been  sent  to  such  lishery. 
Seals  not  to  be  jy  ^^  seals  bliall  be  killed  by  th(^  <ro\v  of  tiny  steamer  or  sailiii};- 
vessel  before  the  12th  day  of  March  in  any  year,  under  a  penalty  of  I 
dollars  for  every  seal  so  killed,  to  bo  recovered  from  the  owner  or  otiier 
person  as  aforesaid,  or  from  tlie  master  or  criiw  of  the  said  vessel,  or 
from  the  parties  rocoiviiifi;  the  same  resjiectively :  Provided,  that  in 
case  of  tho  owner  or  other  per.>*oii  as  aforesaid,  (iiutsiieh  owner  or  other 
person  received  such  seals  with  notice  or  kiiowled^je  that  the  samo 
nail  been  killed  before  the  12th  day  of  March  in  .my  year, 

V.  No  immature  seals,  known  as  cats,  shall  be  killed  by  the  crew 
of  any  steamer  or  sailiiif^-vessel  at  any  time,  under  a  penalty  of  4  d(d- 
lars  for  every  such  seal  so  killed,  to  bo  rei'overed  from  the  receiver  of 
such  seals,  or  from  the  master  or  crew  of  any  such  steamer  or  vessel. 
And  it  is  hereby  declared,  a  yoniifi  seal  pelt  of  less  weij^ht  than  2S  lbs. 
shall  be  considered  an  immature,  or  eat  seal:  Provided,  that  no  p;irty 
or  jiiirlies  n-ferred  to  in  this  section  shall  be  liable  to  the  penalties  or 
fines  herein  stated,  unless  it  i)e  proven  (hat  over  5  per  cent,  in  niinilier 
of  seals  taken  on  board  or  landed  from  siieli  vessel  are  of  less  wei^rht, 
cai'h,  than  2S  lbs.  aforesaid  The  tines  and  peiuilties  mentioned  in  this 
section  to  ajiply  to  the  excess  over  such  ft  per  cent. 

VI.  No  jietion  shall  bo  broufjht  liy  any  jierson  to  recover  any  jten- 
alty  provided  by  this  .\et  alter  twelve  mouths  frcnn  the  time  such  ])en- 
ftlty  shall  have  been  incurred. 

VII.  Noollieer  of  Her  .Majesly's  Customs  i"  this  Colony  shall  clear 
any  steamer  for  ,1  sealinj;  voyao;(<  before  tlie  !'tb  day  of  M.Ticli,  or  any 
sailinii-vessid  for  a  sealing  voyii^e  before  the  jjiBt  day  ol'  l''ei)ru;iry  : 
Provided,  that  in  the  event  of  eitiier  of  these  days  tailinjij  on  Sunday, 
such  vessel  may  be  <'Ieared  on  the  jirecediiifi  ^^iiturday. 

of  VIII.  All  jienalties  incurred  under  the  provisions  of  this  Act  shall 
be  sued  for  iiml  recovered  in  a  siiiiini:ii'y  m:iiincr  Itefore  a  Stiiiendiary 

Appropriation;  Miioistrate,  by  any  person  who  may  siu^  for  the  same;  one-lialf  of  sijeii 
penalty  shall  fi;o  to  tho  party  w'lo  shall  sue  for  and  pro.seeute  the 
same,  and  the  remainder  to  tho  Re  eivei-tieiicral  for  the  use  of  imblic 
hospitals. 

Appeal)  IX.  If  iiny  person  shall  feel  himself  a^jfyrieved  by  any  .Ind^iiieiil  of 

a  Stipendiary  Majiistrate,  under  tliis  Act,  he  shall  have  liberty  to 
appeal  therefrom  to  the  then  next  sitting  of  II(«r  Majesty's  .'^ujiremo 

Proviso;  Court  at  St.  .loliii's:  Provided,  that  notice  of  the  same  be  given  to  tho 

Magistrate  within  twenty-four  hours  after  such  .ludgmeut  shall  have 

KeooKulzanuo.  been  delivered,  and  within  five  days  thereafter  roco;i;ni/.anees,  orotlu^r 
security,  with  or  witlioiit  sureties,  at  tbe  option  of  such  Miigistrate, 
shall  be  entered  into  to  ])roHecute  the  same  without  delay,  aud  pay 
•ach  amount  as  may  b«  a\riu:ded,  with  costs. 


killcil  before  lUlh 
March; 
Penalty ; 

ProviHO; 

Notice. 

Cats  not  to  be 
killed; 
Penalty; 

Delinition; 
Proviso. 


Liniilatiiin. 


Times  of  clear- 
ance; 


Proviso; 
Sundays. 
Keen  vo  ry 
penalties; 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


271 


197 


ANNO   QUADKAC.K.Sn^O   8KXTO   VICTORIiE   KKGIN.E. 


1879.) 


Cai' 


'.  [.  —.In  .\cl  lit  nmi-nil  ait  Act  paturd  in  the  tSnd  i/c/»r  nf  the  It'Hijn  nf  Her  v 
Majesty,  viilitle'l  'An  Act  rtxpecting  the  I'roxieution  "/the  Seiil  Fitheri/.' 


resciU 


[Passed  March  3,  1883.] 


Sect  ion. 

1.  42  Vict.,  cap.  1,  soclions  2  ami  .t.  ropnilfil. 

n     ui....».»..  ....*  t :l  i...r......  it   .     »      inti.  \r. 


1.  4J  Yioi.,  cap.  1,  si'ciiciim  -  tiim  .i.  rrptiinii. 

2.  Stpamors  not  tn  Hail  bcfurc  l(  A.  .>!.,  Kuli  .March;  Penalty:  Proviso. 

3  Sailing-vessels  not  lO  sail  lii'fore  6  a.  m.,  1st  March;  Penalty;  I'rovlso. 

He  it  enacted  by  the  Admiiii.stiiitor  to  the  Government,  Legisliitive 
("oiiiicil,  and  .Vssciiildy,  in  I.cgislulive  Session  convened,  as  follows: 

I.  'I'lie  second  and  third  sections  of  the  Act  passed  in  the  forty- 
second  year  of  the  reiijn  of  Her  |)rcH('nt  Majesty,  entitled  "An  .\ct 
rcsj)ectiiifj  tile  iiro.-<ecntion  of  the  Seal  Fishery,"  tiro  hereby  repealed. 

II.  No  steamer  shall  leave  port  for  the  seal  fishery  before  the  hour 
of  I)  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  on  the  10th  day  of  March  in  any  year, 
nndcr  the  ]icnalty  of  2,(K)0  dollars,  to  i)e  recovered  from  the  owner  or 
other  i)crsr>n  on  whose  account  such  steanier  shall  have  been  sent  to 
such  lislii-ry.  Provided  that,  in  the  event  of  the  said  lOtli  day  of 
March  fallinj;  on  Stindjiy,  any  steamer  may  leave  port  for  such  fishery 
at  any  time  alter  li  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the  previous  day. 

III.  No  sailiiif^-vcssel  shall  leave  port  for  the  seal  fishery  before  the 
hour  of  II  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  on  the  Ist  day  of  March  in  any  year, 
under  the  ])eiialty  of  400  dolhirs,  to  be  recovered  from  the  owner  or 
other  person  on  whose  account  such  vessel  shall  have  been  sent  to 
such  fishery.  I'rovidcd  that,  in  the  event  of  the  said  Ist  day  of  March 
fallinji:  on  Sunday,  any  sailiiifj-vessel  may  leave  port  for  such  fishery 
at  any  time  after  (i  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the  previous  day. 


R  n  ao  1 1  n  ;• 

clause. 

42n(l  Vict  ,  cap. 
1,  sees.  2  anil  3, 
repealed. 

Straniers  not 
to  sail  Im'Toic  8 
am   mill  Mai<li( 

Pi  IKlll.V; 

Proviso. 


Sailinc-vcssplii 
not  to  Hiiil  lii't'iii')) 
Oa.m.,  Ist  March; 

Pcn;illy; 

Proviso. 


ANNO   QIINCJI'ACUSIMO   VKTORI.F   RKOIN^E. 
Cap.  XX  III.  —.Ill  An  to  leijula'c  the  taking  of,  and  liiijht  nf  I'rnjiertii  in.  Senlt, 


the  crew 

of  4  d(d- 

eceivcr  of 

ir  vessel. 

n  2S  lbs. 

no  party 

iiltics  or 

niiml>cr 

\vci;;lit, 

d  in  this 


hall  clear 

•h,  or  any 

''eliriiary : 

Sunday, 

Act  Hhail 
l>endiary 

fof  HU<h 

■cute  the 
of  public 

j;iiieiil  of 
ihcrty  to 
Supremo 
fen  to  the 
hall  have 
or  other 
ij^istrate, 
and  pay 


[Pabsbi)  May  18,  1(*87.] 


Section. 


1.  Uiijht  of  property  in  seals. 

2.  When  deals  not  to  he  killi'il ;  Penalty. 

3.  Scconil  trip  of  steamers;   Proviso. 

4.  Penalty;  Proviso. 

5.  Musters'  penalty. 

6.  Term  "seroml  trip." 

7.  Complaints  must  he  made  withiu  three  months. 

Ho  it  enactetl  by  the  Administrator  of  the  Government,  the  Leyjis-  FnactlngcUnBP. 
lati  ve  Council,  and  House  of  Assembly,  in  Lejjislative  Session  convened, 
as  follows: 

I.  In  any  action  or  proceodinB  for  the  recovery  of,  or  iu  relation  to,    ,'^_''j'''  o^  prop- 
the  ]>roi)crty  in  seals,  or  8cal-i>clts,  killed  by  ))crsons  enga<red  in  ,),. '''''y 'i  si-'als. 
prosccutiiifj  the  seal  lishery  in  steam-vessels  noin^j;  from,  or  coming  to, 

the  jtorts  of  this  Colony,  it  shall  be  held  that  no  i)roperty,  or  rif^ht  of 
pro]>erty,  slwill  have  accrued  except  in  seals  killed,  sculped,  ]>anned, 
or  bulked  by  ami  in  the  :ictual  and  personal  charj^e  of  the  claimants, 
or  some  i)erson  or  personn  for  them  watching  or  engaged  iu  carrying 
away  such  seals  or  seal-pelts. 

II.  No  seals  shall  be  1  -lied  by  any  crew  ot  any  steamer,  or  by  any     When  seals  not 
member  thereof,  before  the  12th  day  of  March,  or  after  the  20th  day  of  t"  I'"  kill,  il; 
A]>ril,  nor  shall  seals,  so  killed,  be  brought  into  any  ))()rt  in  this  Colony 

or  its  dejiendencies  as  .ate  re  said,  in  any  year,  under  a  j)cniilty  of  4  dol-     Penalty, 
lars  for  every  seal  so  kilK  d.  to  be  recovered  from  the  master  and  crew 
by,  and  paitl  to,  any  informer  who  shall  sue  for  the  same,  in  a  sum- 
mary mauner  before  a  Stipendiary  Miigistrnte. 

III.  No  steamer  shall  lit>  i>erm!itcd  lo  goupoii  a  second  orsnbseiiiient     .Second  trip  of 
trip  to  the  seal  tishery  after  the  1st  day  of  .Vpril  i-.i  anv  vear :  Provided  "'''"""T"; 
that,  if  it  be  shown  to  the  satisfa-ition  of  the  Collector,  Sub-Collector,       roMio. 

or  other  Customs  olHcer  td'  the  port  I'nnu  wlilch  the  said  steamer  sails, 
that  a  steamc-  has  been  forced,  by  any  accident,  to  return  to  port 
durin.<;  the  lirsr  trip,  she  shall  not  be  deemed  to  have  gone  U])oa  ■ 
secoud  trip  if  she  agaiu  leavea  port  bel'or*  the  10th  day  of  April. 


272 


UKi'oHT  ov  imiTisir  commissioners. 


riiiiilty;  IV.  'I'lio  iiiMHtcr,  <»\vn<T.  !iii«I  rrow  of  any  Htciinicr.  wliicli  slisill  ^o  mi 

a  HI IK  I  or  NiiliH(>i|ii)'iil.  trip  ('(iiitrnr.v  li>  tlif  Miird  nciI  ion  nt'  I  his  Ad, 

hIimII  Im<  li:ililt>  to  iorlVit  iloiililo  lli<^  vitliix  of  tlirir  rcs|M'i't ivr  intrifNlM 
ill  till' H<-:il.s  wliirli  Nliall  Ixi  l)roii;;lil  ill  on  hihIi  sim-oihI  or  Hnli.si>i|Ut'nt. 
Irijis,  to  III'  rcrovtTcil  anil   paiil   to  .'in\  iiil'oinii'r  wiio  sliail  suit  for  Mio 

I'lovisii.  Naiiic,  ill  a  Hiiiiiiiiarv  way,  Itrlorn  a  Slipi'iidiary  .Maj,'istraln:   I'lovnli-il 

tliat,  in  rasi'  tint  ownrr  or  piii'i'lia.HOi' ol'  Miirli  hi-uIn,  liaviii;;  liail  niitico 
tliat  Mii'li  seals  wiTi-  killi'il  on  siicli  sttriinil  or  siilisiM|nfnt  trip,  sliall 
III'  lialili'  anil  rrHponsililo  lor  tin*  paynirnt  of  siirli  penalty,  to  tlio 
Kxti-nt  of  till'  inti-rrst  of  file  ownrr,  master,  anil  erew  oi"  sneli  steamer: 
ri'oviilril  tliat,  in  cases  in  wliieli  a  larger  sum  tlian  lUO  ilollars 
1!IS  Hliall  III'  ail.iiiil}.;eil,  a<;ainst  aiiv  ilefenilant,  he  may  appeal  to  the 
Siipieino  Conrt,  upon  (it'  rei|iiii'i'il )  ^i vin;;'  ^ooil  anil  snllieieiit. 
security  witliiii  ten  ilitys  alter  cunviction,  to  prosccnto  tiio  appeal  uiiil 
aliiile  linal  .linlKinenls. 

Mii-.tiMs'  1)111  X .  Scalinii-masters  viojjitiiifj  tli«  tliini  seition  of  this  Act  shall  lio 
iiii'onipi'teiil ,  lor  two  years  after  con  viit  ion  for  any  oH'cnce  tliereiiiiiler, 
to  he  employcil  to  commaiid  vessels  of  the  seal  lislicry,  <>■'  to  lie  cleareil 
at  the  custom-house,  as  masters  of  such  vessels, 
sicdiiil  \I.  I'or  the  purposes  of  this  Act,  vessels  shall  he  ileemeil  to  he  on 
a  seconil  or  Hiili.iei|n"iit  trip  if  they  sli;.'ll  en^a<;e  in  killing  seals  on 
the  coast  of  this  isluiiil  anil  its  ilepenilencies,  alter  clearini;  anil  sail- 
inu:  for  Kavis  ,'^lraits  or  (ircenlaiiil  fishery,  anil  tlm  master  anil  owners 
shall  he  liahle  to  the  same  |)enall  iits  as  pro\  iileil  in  fiiiiitli  anil  llftli 
sections  of  this  Act.  .\ny  complaints,  on  inlormatioii  iiniler  this  sec- 
tion, may  lie  made  within  three  nioiilhs  next  .'liter  the  return  of  tho 
said  vessel  to  a  port  of  this  island. 

('(•in  pla  iiits  \-||_  \,,y  I'omplaint  or  information,  under  the  forcj^oinj^  provisions 
w'ii'lii'ii  I  hi'r.'"'''  "''"  '^''f-  '""'*'  ''•'  '"="'"  "ithin  threo  months  of  tho  time  of  tho 
iiniiiiliH.  alleged  lireach  thereof. 


alt 


'I'liin 

liip." 


Anno  (,)i  iniji  aim.simo  Sk.ci'ndo  Vicioiiii';  K'l'-.iiiN.i';. 

Cap.  I. —An  Act  to  aiiicnil  tin-   Lam   iflaliwi  Id  Ihf  lukimj  of  SiaU  mid   lli;ilit  »/ 

I'liii'i'iii/  llifiiiii. 

II'ASSKII    MaHIM   7,   ISSll.l 

R  ,1  ,, ,.  t  I  „  „  r.e  it  enacted  liy  the  fJovernor,  Leijislal  ive  Coniicil,  and  Assemhly, 
I'liiiisi'.  in  l,i'i,Mslali ve  Session  convened  as  follows: 

i;  I' pea  1  i  II  c  I.  iiie  liist  scclioii  of  the  Act  passed  in  the  liftietli  year  of  tho 
ilaiiMv  rci;;n  of  Her  iircsenl   Majesty,  cap. 'J:!,  cut  it  led  ".'\n  Act  to  ri';;iilato 

tho  taking  and  rif;ht  of  property  in  Seals,''  is  herchy  repealed. 


A\fiiiiitr<ni(linn  nsiurliiuj  Ihr  Seal  nulicrji  of  ihv  tlrceiiland  Sin.  prrimrrd  at  the  linnrd  of 
/')•(((/<'  (it  Ihr  /'ci/i/ci/  of  the  />'<7u'i' /(;/'«  Ncd  CommiK-iioiirrs. 

Iioufilily  speaking;,  this  so-called  fishery  used  to  lie  carried  on  lietween  Sjiit/.tiorjien 
and  Iceland,  its  chief  centre  being  the  neighhonrhoiid  of  the  Isl.'ind  of  .Ian  Mayeii. 

As  early  as  the  month  of  T'elirnary  1X715  the  late  Mi'.  Frank  Itiieklaiid,  liy  a  letter 
to  the  •'  'rimes,"  entitled  "A  I'lea  for  tlie  Seals,"  and  otherwise,  called  ]inhlic  atten- 
tion to  the  ahiiscs  ciiiinecteil  with  the  pursuit  of  this  lishery.  The  circuiimtaiiecH 
would  ajijiear  to  have  heen  !is  follows: 

.Mioiit  the  time  of  the  Spring  l''i|nino\,  th(>  seals  congregate  in  immense  nnniliers, 
and  the  females  give  birth  to  their  young  upon  the  ice.  The  young  at  birth  are 
veiy  helpless,  mil  weigh  about  I  lbs.,  but  they  grow  with  astonishing  rapidity,  and 
it  is  said  that  in  about  a  fortnight  the  weight  of  each  young  seal  is  some  7(1  lbs. 

Owing  to  cnmpetilioii  in  the  tishery,  it  had  liecomo  the  jiractico  to  take  (i.  ('.,'kill) 
seals  imnieilititely  upon  the  birth  of  the  young.  In  this  wtiy  the  mothers  were  slain 
or  often  scared  away  from  the  young  liofon>  the  latter  were  of  age  to  take  care  of 
themselves.  The  young  were  of  small  value  for  eommereial  purposes  at  this  stago 
of  their  existence,  and  tlioiiu;Ii  some  of  them  wore  killed  and  shi]ii)ed,  eniirnious 
numbers  were  left  to  die  of  starvation. 

Conducted  in  this  manner  the  lishery  was  a  scene  of  revolting  cruelty,  the  crirs  of 
the  thousands  of  voiing  dying  seals  being  said  to  resemble  the  cries  of  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  liumaii  infants,  and  the  destruction  of  the  lishery  by  the  scattering  or 
extumiiuatiuu  of  the  hcuIh  tjceiiied  uut  fur  distant.    Tliu  tjcaltt  in  (|ueHtiuu  are  uot 


lllllll  fJO  oil 

r  lliiH  Act, 

(■    illtt'lt'NlS 

iilist'i|ii<'nt> 
4110  (or  t  li(t 
;  l'iiiviil<'<l 
IiikI  iKitico 
trip,  shall 
Itv,  to  llin 
li  sIcamtT : 
lUOdolhiiH 
|M':ii  to  ii\tt 
\  Hiilliciciit. 
iipiii'iil  uikI 

ct  shall  ^t^ 

lion'im(l»'r, 

lid  flcaml 

mI  to  lie  oil 
ii;j  Ht-als  on 
iX  and  sail- 
inil  owiuTS 
h  anil  lii'th 
cr  this  Hcc- 
tnrn  of  tlio 


:  |)roviHionH 
inio  of  tli« 


M.i;. 

mill    Iliijlit  of 
II  7,  ISH'.l.l 

Assi'iiilily, 

•ar  of  tlio 

()  rt'i^iiliito 
lod. 


he  Himrd  of 


an  Majt'ii. 
t\  a  lott(!r 
lilic  attiMi- 

lllllBlalK'fH 


VI  hiiiiiIkts, 

birth  art) 

pi'litv,  and 

(0  Ihs. 

(i.  <'.,kill) 

worn  slain 

iko  caro  of 

this  stajio 

cnorinoiiM 

the  cricH  of 
iindri'dH  of 
attorinji  or 
n  uru  uot 


UKl'OKT    OK    HlilTISI!    COMMISSIONKUS. 


273 


those  from  \viii<'h  the  f;ishiorialile  fur  is  ohlaineil,  liiil  theii'  skin  is  mmli  iisid  fur 
liiakili<;  hoots,  esjtecially  |>ateiit  leather  iniots,  and  the  nil  olilaiind  IVumi  them  is 
applied  to  various  purpose-,. 

As   ref^ards  the   Iniled    Kin<rdoiii,  the  (islieiv   was   pioseriited   I'roiii  the  ports  of 
Diindeo  and    Teterhead.     Norway   was   (he  foici;^ii  ronnlrs    inosiK    iiiteri'sii'd.     in 
1X71  the  Swedish  (ioveniiiient  sii;^^ested  to  our  l'iirei.;ii  <  tilicc  t  hat  sniiii'  iiitei national 
arran^enlentl  iiii^ht  jiroperly  lie  attempted  with  a  view  ol'  im|M)Miii;i  re.-^l  lict  i  ve  l.'e;; 
Illations  to  remedy  the  evils  aliove  lelirnd  to. 

The  earlier  aelion  of  the  itnard  of  Trade  upon  this  propositi  is  set  forth  in  I'ar- 
liameiitary  I'aper  No.  7:f  of  I  ST.")  (cony  herinxilh').  The  result  so  far  was  to  ohlain 
eoneiirreiiee  on  the  part  of  ihosc  interested,  Imlh  in  tiieal  I'liitain  and  in  Ndrw.iy, 
as  to  the  necessity  tor  a  close  season  aliont  lliii  lime  of  llic  liirlli  of  tiie  yonny;  seals. 
I  tut  thiM'e  w:is  consideralile  di\  er;;ence  of  opinion  liol  h  as  to  t  lie  dale  tor  end  in;;  and 
the  duration  of  such  close  season. 

.Siihsei|nently,  the  Itoard  of  Trade,  in  consul  tat  ion  wil  li  the  T'oreiMii  ( lUiic,  framed 
a  Kill,  which  they  inlrodined  into  I'ailiamcnt,  and  wlinli  lieeaini'  law  as  "The  Seal 
I'ishery  Act,  ISTo"  CM  \'ict.  cap.  IS).  This  Act  einpuwcied  Her  .Majesty,  liy  Onler 
ill  Conneil,  t<i  li\  a  day  li(d'ore  xNliiih  it  would  he  ille;;.'il  for  liiitish  snlijcets  in  :iny 
year  to  kill  or  capt  ore,  or  attcinpl  to  Kill  or  ca pi  nr<-,  seals  witliin  an  area  specified 
ill  the  ."^idiediilc  to  the  .\ct,  and  the  .\e|  proviiled  lie.iv\  penalties  for  those  contra- 
vcniii;.;  its  pro\  isions.  j'lie  area  in  i|iicsiion  was  thai  inclnded  lieiween  (17  and  !'>' 
north  latitude,  and  .">  east  and  17  west  of  (Greenwich,  in  adopi  in;;  which  the  itoard 
of  Tiade  were  chielly  ;,'uiil"Ml  liy  Capt.iin  I  >avid  ( J  ray,  of  I'e  lei  head,  one  id'  the  most 
experienced  of  I  lie  ship-ni asters  eiii;a;;('d  in  the  lishery,  and  by  whosc^  ;;raphic  rcpre- 
seiitations  .Mr.  I'lUckl.ind  had  liceii  put  in  motion. 

In  tln^  meanwhile,  the  l'oreij;n  Ollicc  were  m.ikiiij^  representations  to  other  coun- 
tries who  miiiht  he  inti'ieslcd  in  the  matter,  with  a  view  of  insiiriii;;  recip- 
I'.l'.t       rocal  le;;islation  on  their  part.     .\s  already  indiiated,  the  (isliery  was  chielly 
condiiitod   by  snbjecls  of  (ileal    r.rit.'iin  or  Norway,   but  (o'linaiiv,   Ihilland 
anil  .Sweden  were  also,  tliou;;h  to  only  a  small  extent,  ccmieriied. 

In  the  course  of  the  year  \Xl'>  all  thi-  ( oivernnieiits  of  these  forei;;n  countries 
expressed  a  williii;;ness  lo  ini(i;itc  le;;islatioii  of  the  char.iitcr  desired.  It  was  also 
thou;;lit  well  lo  provide  for  the  eoni  iii;;ency  of  the  sulijcels  of  K'ussia,  I'r.ancc,  Den- 
mark, or  the  I'nited  Stales  jidnin;;  in  the  lishery.  The  (ioveinnicnts  of  these  latter 
countries  were  accordiii;;ly  informed  of  what  was  lieiuM  done,  ,'ind  ii  liopc  was 
exprt^ssed  that,  in  the  event  of  their  respective  siilijecls  coming,  as  they  mieht  any 
day  do,  to  fish  witliin  the  area  in  i|uesiion,  similar  le;;islal  iiui  would  be  adopted  by 
the  (iovcrnnicnts,  and  that,  in  the  meant  ime,  they  would  iiol  allow  their  (lai:s  to  be 
carried  by  the  subjects  of  counlries  which  had  le^islateil  in  the  matter  for  the  pur- 
pose of  evadin;;  su-li  |e;;ishition. 

The  replies  of  the  liisl  three  of  these  (ioveriliiients  were  ;;encrally  fa\  (iiiiable,  but 
that  of  the  I'liited  .siati'swas  indeliiiite.  Neither  l*'rciich  nor  l);iiiish  subjects  were, 
however,  en;;ai;ed  in  the  fishery. 

Hy  the  commcneement  (if  the  ,\i'ar  IH7(i  the  steps  towjirds  le;;islatioii  in  Norway 
and  .Sweden  were  represented  as  approacliiu;;  completion,  and  satisfactory  iissur- 
ances  as  rej^ards  le;risiat  ion  in  (iermany  and  lloll;iiid  hail  lieen  recei\ed.  An  <lrder 
in  Council  was  (hereupon  obtained  in  (his  eouii(  ry  which  broMnht  liieSeal  l^'ishcry 
Act  into  operation,  and  lix.^d  tiie  ;ird  April  in  every  \earas  \Ur  day  bid'ore  which 
Itritish  subjects  should  md  commenei'  I  ho  taUiUL;  of  seals  within  any  part  ol  I  lie  area 
dclined  in  the  Srhedule  to  the  Act.  This  dal"  was  named  as  a  compromise  between 
the  views  of  Ibitlsh  and  Norwc;;iaii  subjects. 

The  former  wished  for  a  rather  later,  .'iiid  tht;  latter  for  a  rather  earlier,  ilate. 

This  Order  had  hardly  been  proinul;;ated  when  a  telei;i  apliie  inlimation  w;is 
received  frcin  Her  Majesty's  Minislei  at  Stockholm  to  the  elicit  that  the  Noiwe^riiin 
(Jovernnient  would  be  unable  to  dliiain  le;;islati  ve  aiil  liorit  \  for  lixiiiL;  a  elose  season 
as  rey;arded  the  lisheiy  of  the  current  year.  In  coiise(|ueiice  of  this,  the  jiritish 
Order  in  Council  had  to  be  revoked. 

Fn  the  course  of  the  same  year  the  ni'ccssary  lei^islation  was  (ditained  as  ri';;ardH 
Norway.  There  had,  however,  been  in  that  country  a  reaction  of  opinion  ;is  to  tlio 
need  of  a  closo  season. 

This  was  probably  due  to  a  consideration  of  which  the  Mo.ard  of  Trade  were  later 
on  made  aware  by  Captain  dray,  i.  c,  that  the  new-liorn  seals,  which  had  formerly 
been  of  liltle  conimcrcial  value,  had  now  become  far  more  valuable  owiii;;  to  a  jiroe- 
ess  invented  for  iitili/in;;  their  hair  in  tiic  nianufaclure  of  sham  scal-sUin.  They 
would,  in  conseiiiienee,  bo  taken  in  as  larnc  numbers  as  posidble,  instead  of  bein;; 
left  to  (lie  of  starvation  alter  the  slaut;hter  of  the  mothers.  This,  if  a  fact,  would 
make  it  jierhaps  unnecessary  to  interfere  with  the  conduct  of  the  lishery  on  the 
ground  of  preventing:  cruelty,  but  would  ni.'ike  a  ilose  se.ason  more  needful  .as  regards 
]irovontin;r  the  extermination  of  the  seals.  The  Norwe;;ian  (loveriimeiit,  however, 
tlioiifrlit   themselvoH   bound    in   honour   to   proceed   with   the   moasiire.     SIraiiyely 

B  «,  PT  VI 18 


274 


REPORT    OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


enough,  during  tlio  ])rngrcsM  of  tlio  Hill,  tlicro  wan  Home  iiloii  of  making  it  apply  to  a 
larger  area  than  tliat  contcinplatfil  liy  tho  Knglish  Act,  it  licing  held  in  Norway  tliat 
such  ftn  area  wan  an  umliily  ri-strict<Ml  one.  and  tlio  Hill  was  j)a8se<l  on  tlie  under- 
utanding  that  a  niodiliratinn  on  tliis  ])oint  tsliould  ht-realtcr  lie  uiadn,  if  necessary. 

In  November  1876  a  Iresli  Order  in  Council  was  obtained  in  Kngland  again  fixing 
tlio  3rd  A]iril  as  tho  «lay  for  o]i(-iiiu;;  the  lislicry.  :ind  stcjis  were  taken  for  circulating 
copies  of  it  anil  of  the  ,\ct  anion;;st  those  conciincd  in  tho  I'nited  Kingdom,  and  for 
infuruiing  the  foreign  flovernnients  interested. 

I5y  about  the  enil  of  March  1«T7  the  (iovernnients  of  Norway,  Sweden,  Germany, 
and  Holland  had  all  taken  legislative  steps  similar  U)  those  adojited  in  Great  Britain, 
and  tho  close  season  until  the.  iJrd  April  thus  established  has  been  duly  observed  by 
parties  of  these  nationalities  and  by  Hritish  subjects,  who  were;  all  that  were  engaged 
in  the  fishery,  exceiit  jiossilily  some  Russians.  It  has  not  been  necessary  to  organize 
any  police  lor  tho  enlorctimt^nt  of  tho  Act.  No  date  was  fixed  for  the  conunencement 
of  the  close  season,  1  hough  (ieiniany  raised  the  point,  the  advisableuess  of  lixing  a 
date  for  that  purpose  biiiig  then  doubted  by  the  l.oanl  of  Trade;. 

lu  1879  Russia  intimated  that  she  iiad  imposed  similar  restrictions  on  her  own 
subjects. 

In  1885  Ca))tain  Gray  an<l  others  of  the  Peterhead  interest  represented  that  the 
close  season  which  had  been  impo.sed  had  had  most  boneticial  results,  but  that  further 
restrictions  were  to  be  desiicd. 

They  intimated  that  a  new  branch  of  the  fishery,  i.  e.,  that  for  "hooded  seals,"  had 
been  created  betwe(!n  Icehind  and  Greenland,  extending  as  far  south  us  tho  latitude 
of  Cape  Farewell;  and  that,  with  a  view  to  more  olleetually  protect  the  breeding 
seals  and  immature  young,  the  close  season  should  be  extended. 

They  aci^ordingly  proi)osed  that  tho  area  for  restrictions  should  in  future  be  that 
comprised  between  tiO^  and  TtJ  north  latitude,  excluding  Iceland  and  its  territorial 
waters,  and  between  the  (ireenland  coast  on  thii  W(!st  and  the  ice  margin  on  the  east, 
that  tho  clo.se  time  shonh'  ;uul  on  the  Idtli  .April,  and  that  a  delinite  date  (Idth  .Inly) 
should  bo  lixed  for  commencement  of  tho  close  season. 

They  added  that  there  was  reason  to  believi;  that  tho  Norwegians,  as  tho  only 
foreigners  then  engaged  in  the  (isliery,  would  be.  ready  to  concur. 

These  proposals  wore  sui>]i(>rted  by  tho  Fishery  Board  for  Scotland,  the  only  part 
of  the  I'uited  Kingdom  from  which  shi])s  were  known  to  proceeil  to  the  fishery.  At 
tho  instance  of  tho  Board  of  Trade  the  proposjils  were  submitted  by  the  Foreign 
OlHce  to  the  (iovernnients  of  tho  live  foreign  countries  who  participated  in  tho  exist- 
ing restrictions. 

By  November  ISSfi  re])lies  were  received  from  all  those  ^.ountries,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Russia.     These  replies  wore  to  the  following  ell'ect: 


(il'.ItMANY    AND   IIOM.ANl). 

The  Governnuuits  expressi'd  themselvc^s  as  disposed  to  favourably  regard  the 
Scottish  proposals  but  as  awaiting  iiiforuuitiou  as  to  the  course  cuntemplated  by 
otlier  Powers. 


200 


SWEDEN. 


Those  interested  received  tho  Sc(ittish  jnojiosals  ratlior  favourably,  but  wished,  in 
consideration  of  young  seals  moulting  in  .\])ril,  t  hat  ojiening  of  ilshery  should  bo  not 
later  than  the  7th  of  tlial  nioiiih,  and.  further,  that  closing  dayshoulil  bo  tho  7th  July. 


NORWAY. 


Those  interested  tliought  the  10th  April  ami  10th  .Inly  inadmissible  as  dates  for 
opening  and  closing,  and  tlid  not  wish  ic'cland  and  its  waters  excluded  from  tho 
protected  area,  I  hey  !ilso  had  |iroposals  of  their  own  widely  diveigeut  from  those 
of  Scotland.     'I'hese  were: 

(rt.)  That  toi)reveut  desi  ruction  of  females,  it  should  bo  forbiilden  to  kill  old  seals 
before  the  1,5th  .Xjiril  iti  .\.  M.  i  at  the  jiliices  where  the  young  are  taken. 

(6.)  That  in  (Muisideration  of  hooded  seals  having  no  young  to  need  protection 
towards  end  of  close  seascui,  tin*  lishery  for  tlles(^  seals  between  Capo  Farewell  and 
Si>it/,bergeu  should  be  free  until  tho  loth  .Inly  (ti  r.  .M.),  after  which  date  it  was, 
according  to  them,  ]uirsued  luily  by  one  or  two  ships  under  conditions  ruinous  to 
the  fishery,  as  the  seals  having  by  that  date  become  very  wild,  immense  numbers 
wore  then  destroyed  by  shooting  at  long  range  without  many  being  actually  taken. 

(c.)  That  to  obviate  dangers  incident  to  ojM'ning  the  fishery  ininiediatoly  after 
midnight,  the  opening  should  he  at  6  A.M.  ou  tho  3rd  A}U'il,  or,  if  that  day  is  a 
Sunday,  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  •tth, 

(d.)  That  the  limits  of  protected  area  should  be  GO'^  and  78^^  uurlh  latitude,  the 
east  coast  of  Ureoulaud,  and  10-"  east  longitndo  (tireouwich). 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


275 


TJiPso  viewH  were  conveyed  to  the  Scottish  OfHce  by  the  Board  of  Trade,  witli  an 
intimation  that  they  were  nnalile  to  see  that  future  strjis  towards  fstalilislinifiit  of 
new  rfHtrictions  could  betaken  unle8.s  some  course  ronhl  be  HUg;;est«-d  lor  rfrnucilinj^ 
the  FfHiiectivf  views  of  the  Scottinh,  Norwe;jian,  and  Swedish  interests. 

Karly  in  18x7  tlie  reply  of  the  S<^ottish  intercHlH  was  rec^eived.  They  tlioiij;lit  the 
j)oiut  raised  by  Sweden  in  connection  with  youiitr  seals  moult iiifj  not  material,  as  the 
short  hair  skins  had  now  become  more  vahialde  tlian  the  fur-skins.  'I'lu-y  wrw  will- 
inji  to  accept  the  area  as  defined  by  Norway,  and  that,  on  the  day  of  npi-nin^,  tlm 
fishery  should  commence  at  (i  a.m.  They  agree  as  to  nee<l  for  ])rotirtin;:  fi m.-ilo 
seals,  but  thought  opening  on  the  lOtli  April  would  insure  this,  as  lati  r  tin'  Irmali-s 
would  get  too  wild  to  allow  of  their  being  shot,  and  they  agree  as  to  need  lor  pro- 
tecting hoo<led  seals  late  in  the  season. 

They  were,  however,  firm  as  to  the  need  for  making  the  oj)ening  and  <'insinti  dat«'S 
for  the  fishery  as  near  the  lOtb  April  and  10th  July  iis  ])Ossii)le,  and  did  not  scr  liow 
hooded  seal  fishery  could  be  made  free  during  general  close  time  without  cndangt-r- 
ing  the  observance  of  close  time  for  other  kituls  of  seals. 

These  views  were  communicated  t<)  the  Foieigu  Oflice  by  the  Hoard  of  Trade  in 
the  hope  of  an  understanding  being  arrived  at  between  Norway  and  Scotlaml.  so  as 
to  form  a  basis  for  negotiation  with  the  ptlier  Powers.  At  the  same  time,  it  was 
])ointed  out  that  the  including  of  Iceland  and  its  waters  in  the  jnotecteil  aiea  would 
involve  inviting  Denmark  to  join  in  the  arranuenients. 

In  March  1888  a  further  communication  was  received  from  Norway.  It  now 
appearetl  that,  owing  to  a  change  o!)served  in  the  last  two  oi'  three  years  in  tlii-  con- 
dition of  the  iee  off  Greenland,  the  Norwegian  interests  no  longer  w  ish  the  houded 
seal  fisheries  to  close  on  the  loth  July. 

They  declined  to  make  any  concession  as  regards  the  day  for  opening  the  seal 
fishery  generally,  and  it  was  doubtful  whether  tln'y  would  adopt  any  date  fur  clos- 
ing. On  other  points  they  now  acquiesced  with  Scotland,  to  which  country  these 
views  were  conveyed. 

Later  in  the  year  Russia  intimated  that  she  concurred  with  Norway  on  all  iir)ints. 

Subserinont  correspondence  aflbrded  no  prospi.'ct  of  r<!C()nciliiig  the  diveruent 
views  of  .'Scotland  and  Norway,  whilst  Denmark  took  exc'cplloii  to  tlie  tiiritoiial 
waters  of  either  Iceland  or  Greenland  being  included  in  the  area  of  proteriion. 

In  these  circumstances,  the  negotiations  came  to  a  standstill,  and  the  arrangements 
made  in  1875-71I  l.ave  been  maintained. 

Co])y  of  the  English  Act,  with  the  Order  in  Council,  in  handliill  lorm,  asclniilated 
in  the  past  amongst  those  interested  and  now  in  force,  is  annexed. 

(Initialled)  J.  M,  N. 

FEUUU.VliY  11,  18'J2. 


Se.\l  Fisheky  (Giji-.kni.and).— 38  Vict.,  Cai-.  18. 


I  old  seals 

roteclion 

veil  and 

it  was, 

liinous  to 

Tnunibers 

|ly  taken. 

o'ly  after 

I  day  is  a 

lade,  the 


Order  in  ConncH  made  the  2Sth  day  of  Xovember,  1S7G,  for  apphiiiui  "The  Seal  I'inhery 

Act,  1S75." 

At  the  Court  at  Windsor,  the  28th  day  of  November.  ISTti. 

Present:  TiiK  Queen's  Most  Excellent  Ma.iesty  in  Council. 

Whereas  by  "The  Seal  Fishery  Act,  1875,"  it  is  enacted  that  when  it  appiars  to 
Her  Majesty  in  Council  that  the  foreign  States  whose  ships  or  subjects  are  engaged 
in  t  al  fishery  in  the  area  mentioned  in  the  Schedule  to  that  Act,  or  any 

201  part  of  such  area,  have  madii  or  will  make,  with  res|)ect  to  their  own  ships 
and  subjects,  the  like  ]ir(ivisi(>iis  to  those  contained  in  that  .\ct,  it  shall  be  law- 
ful for  Her  Majesty,  by  Order  in  Council,  to  direct  that  that  Act  shall,  after  the  date 
mentioned  in  tlie  Order,  apply  to  the  seal  fishery  within  the  said  area,  ur  such  part 
thereof  as  may  be  specified  in  the  Order: 

And  whereas  it  has  been  made  to  appear  to  Her  Majesty  in  Council  that  the  foreign 
States  whose  shi])3  or  subjects  are  at  jnesent  euuaged  in  the  seal  fishery  in  the  are.-i 
mentioned  in  the  Schedule  to  the  said  recited  Act  have  made  or  w  ill  make,  with 
res|)ect  to  their  own  ships  and  subjects,  the  like  provisions  to  those  contained  in  the 
said  recited  Act: 

Now,  therefore,  Her  Majesty,  in  exercise  of  the  power  vested  in  hiT  by  the  said 
recited  Act,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  her  Privy  Council,  is  i)leased  to  direct  that 
"The  Seal  Fishery  .Vet,  1875,"  shall,  after  the  date  of  this  ))iesent  <  irder,  apply  to 
the  seal  fishery  within  the  area  ni(>ntioned  in  the  Schtvliile  to  the  said  Act. 

And  Her  Majesty,  in  exercise  of  the  same  power,  by  and  with  the  like  ailvice,  is 
further  pleased  to  fix  the  3rd  day  of  April  iu  every  year  as  the  day  before  whicU  the 


276 


KKPOUT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


iiiastJT  iiiitl  person  in  cliiirgc  of,  an<l  every  ]terson  luilontriiij;  to,  any  Hritisli  Mliip,  aixl 
fvi'iy  |{rilif<li  suliject,  shall  not  kill  or  caidnn-,  orattcin|)l  to  kill  or  capture,  any  seal 
\villiin  the  area  iiicnlioned  in  the  St'hediile  to  tlie  said  Act. 
"The  Seal  Fislmry  Act,  IH""),"  in  as  follows: 


hi: 


m> 


38  Vkt.,  Cm-.  1H.— .l;i  Act  tn  jirmiilr  for  thi-  mtalilishmiiit  nf  a  Vlatf  Timiin  the.  Sial 
t'itheni  ill  the  Siai  adjacent  tu  the  Eastern  Cmistii  vf  tiieriiUiinl. 

IJUNB  U,  1875.1 

lie  it  enacted   by  the  l,)neen's  Most  Kxcellent  Majesty,  liy  and  with 

the  advice  and  consent  uf  the  Lords  Sjiiritnal  and 'I'emporal.  and  < 'oin- 

nions,  in  this  ;)rescnt  rarlianient  assinnhlcd,  and  liy  the  authority  of 

the  same,  as  follows: 

Apiilic.ition  (ii      1.  When  it  ajipears  to  Her  Majesty  in  Council  that  theforeifjn  States 

Aci  i,y  uidiT  ill  whose  ships  or  snlijeits  are  en;j;af^ed  in  the  seal  fishery  in  tlie  area  nien- 

('(11111(11    ill  niii   )i,,||,.,i   ill  )]„,  Schedule  to  this  Act,  or  any  part  of  su(^h  area,  havt* 

II II  ('  I  ion    wit  II  ,  .,,  ,  •,!  i  »      .1     •  1  •  I        \  ■      1      ii 

lori'l"u  .Stuits.     "lade  or  will  make,  with  respe(  t  to  their  own  sliijis  and  snhjects,  the 

like  jirovisioiis  to  those  contained  in  this  Act,  it  shall  lie  lawful  for 
Her  Majesty,  hy  order  in  Council,  to  direct  that  this  Ait  shall,  after 
the  date  mentioned  in  tht^  Oi'ilcr,  apply  to  the  seal  lishery  within  the 
said  area,  or  such  part  thereof  as  may  lie  siiecitied  in  the  Order. 

Ilcr  Majesty  may,  by  the  same  «ir  any  snlisei|iient  <  )i(lcr,  limit  the 
ojieration  of  the  ( )rder,  and  render  the  ogieration  thereof  snltjeet  to 
such  conditions,  exceptions,  and  (inalilicatious  us  may  be  deemed 
expedient. 

So  lonj;  as  an  <  trder  under  this  section  reniains  in  foreethis  .Act  sliall, 
Hub.ject  to  any  sucli  limitation,  condition,  exeni]ition,  or  (|nalilication 
as  aforesaid,  apply  to  the  seal  lishery  within  the  said  area,  or  such 
l)art  as  may  he  spcM-ilicd  in  the  Order. 

Ilcr  Majesty  may  from  time  to  time,  by  Order  in  Council,  rescind, 
altt'r,  or  add  to  any  Order  made  in  pursuance  of  this  section,  and 
make  a  new  Older  in  lien  thereof. 

livery  Order  in  Council  made  in  jinrsuMiicc  of  this  section  shall  be 
laid  before  both  Houses  of  Parliament  within  six  weeks  after  it  is 
maile,  or  if  I'arliament  be  not  then  sitfin;;,  within  six  weeks  after  the 
then  next  nieetiiiff  of  I'arlianitMit,  and  shall  also  lie  published  in  tlie 
"  London  (!a/(!tte."' 

When  an  Order  i;;  Council  has  been  made  for  applying;  this  Act, 
then,  so  lon;{  as  such  Order  remains  in  fon'e,  the  master  or  jierson  in 
chary;e  of  or  any  person  beloiifjiu};  to  any  Itritish  shij),  or  any  Hritish 
subject,  shall  not  kill  or  ca])tuic,  or  atlcni|)t  to  kill  or  cajiture,  any 
seal  witbiii  ihearea  mentioned  in  the  Si'hednlc  to  this  Act,  or  the  jiart 
of  the  area  s]ieiitieil  in  the  Order,  before  such  day  in  any  year  as  may 
b(^  fixed  by  the  Order,  and  the  muster <ir  jierson  in  charfjtiof  a  Itritish 
ship  shall  not  permit  such  sliip  to  be  employed  in  such  killing;  or  caji- 
turiiiiT,  or  permit  iiiiy  person  belonging  to  such  shi]t  to  act  in  breach 
of  this  section. 

Any  jicrsoii  who  is  guilty  of  any  brcadi  (by  any  act  or  default)  of 
this  section  shall  be  liiibb.' to  a  ]>cnalty  not  exceeding  "idO/.  for  each 
<ifrciice. 

F.V(!ry  offence  under  this  Act  may  be  jn-oseciitcd,  and  everj  pen- 


f'lnsp    time 
Real  lisli(  I  V. 


for 


I'roMi'ciilidii  of 


oilciiccH.  alty  under  this  ,\ct  may  lier< vered — 

(1.)  Ill  I'.iigland.  before  two  .lusiiees  of  the  reaco  in  a  summary 
manner,  or  by  acfio.i  in  an,\  of  Her  Majesty's  Superior  Courts  at  West- 
minsfer,  together  with  full  costs  of  suit;  and 

(2.)  In  Scotland,  by  action  as  for  a  debt  in  the  ordinary  Sheriff 
Court  or  in  the  Court  of  Scssinn;  and 

(Ii. )  In  Ireland,  before  two  .lustices  of  the  I'cace  in  a  summary 
manner,  or  liy  personal  action  in  any  of  Her  Mai<'sty's  Superior 
Courts  at  hnblin. 

rroviiled  that  the  jicnaUy  imposed  in  a  siinimary  manner  by  two 
Justices  shall  not  exceed  10(1/.,  exclusive!  of  costs. 

One-hall' of  every  penalty  recovered  under  this  Act  shall  be  paid 
to  the  ]>eison  who  ])rosecuted  the  offence  or  sued  I'or  such  penalty. 

For  all  ])urposes  of  and  incidental  to  the  trial  and  ]>unishment  of 
any  jierson  accused  of  an  offence  under  this  Act,  and  the  proceedings 
and  matters  preliminary  and  incidental  to  and  consetiuential  on  his 
trial  and  ]iiinishnient,  and  for  all  imrposes  of  and  incidontal  to  the 
Jurisdiction  of  any  Court  or  of  any  constabhi  or  oflicerwith  reference 
to  such  offence,  the  offence  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  committed 
cither  in  the  place  in  which  it  was  actually  committed  or  in  any  place 
in  which  the  olVeiuler  may  for  the  time  being  bo  found. 


soil   111 

{ritish 
iiiiy 
piirt 
iii:i.v 
Itiitisli 
or  cai>- 
hroach 


ij  peii- 
uiiniiiry 

\Vt'8t- 

Sliciitl' 

iiiiiuary 
iiiporior 

by  two 

1)0  paid 
iilty. 

lU'Ilt    of 

ci'diii<{8 
ou  his 
,1  to  the 
(fcrt'iice 
iiniitted 
ly  place 


REPORT   OP    lUJITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


277 


4.  WluT«'  an  oircncc  under  this  Act  is  commit  ltd.  then — 

(a.)  If  the  simii-  is  romiiiittt'ii  l»v  tlie  fault  or  wiili  tin-  (•(iniii\ain'f>     ■  •    ,  i,- 

of  thi' ster  of  any  ^lli|..  timt  iiiMstrr.  and-  »«Ii!'r  .'nVi'ma". 

202  (/).i   If  llie  same   is  eomiriitted  liy  tlie  fault  or  with  the  eon- 1,  ,-m|  slop  in  cii-- 

nivaiK-e  of  the  owner  of  any  shii),  that  owner —  ':>"'  lams. 

shall  lie  liable  to  the  like  ]ienalty  to  which   the  jieison   comiuiliin<; 
sneh  olVene(>  is  liable  nniler  this  Act. 

r>.   Where  the  o.vner  or  master  of  a  ship  is  adjnilaed  to  pay  a  pen-     I  hiliilitv  nt' 
alty  for  an  ollenee  umhr  this  Art,  the  Cuiirt  may,  in  addition  to  any '"'I'l' '"  l"'i'illy- 
other  power  they  may  have  for  the  purpose  of  eompt^lliny;  pa\iiient  of 
sneh  penalty,  direct  the  same  to  be  levied  by  <listiess  or  arrestment 
and  sale  of  the  said  ship  and  her  taekle. 

(i.   Ill  this  .\et  the  eNjiressJMii  "Seal'"  mejins  tht^  harp  oi' s.iddlebaek 

seal,  the  bladdernosed  or  h led  seal,  the  irronnd  or  bi-ardeil  seal,  and  ,.  "'''"V'"'"     "'" 

the  lloe  s-  il  or  lloe  rat.  and  ineliiiles  any  animal  of  the  seal  kind  whieh 
may  be  speeided  in  that  behall'  by  an  Order  in  Conncil  nnder  this  Act. 

7.  This  Act  may  be  cited  as  "  The  Seal  I'lsliery  Act,  1875."  •'''""^  ''"«>• 


SciiKDii.i;. 
.()•('«  Ill  irhirh  Ail  <i]>jiViii*. 

The  area  included  between  the  jiarallels  of  (IT  and  7o  '  of  north  latitnde,  and 
between  the  meridians  of.")  east  ami  17  west  longitude,  reckontid  from  the  meridian 
of  (ireenwich. 


Korncyian  lAiwfor  the  ealahlishmint  of  a  T/d.sc  Time  for  Seal  Fiahcry  in  the  Arctic  Seas. — 

Stiichliiilni.  Miiy  IS,  /sT'-'. 

[TniiiHl;ili(iii.| 

Wo,  Oscar,  by  the  ^raro  of  CJod  King  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  the  Wends  and 
fiotlis,  hondiy  notify  that  a  fvesolution  jiassed  by  the  <  )rdinary  Storthing  now  in 
session,  on  the  25th  April  of  this  year,  of  the  following  tonoiir,  has  been  submitted 
to  us: 

1.  When  it  shall  apjiear  that  the  foreign  States  whoso  Hhi])s  or  subjects  are  engaged 
in  the  seal  li.'diery  in  the  area  included  between  the  ])arallels  of  (17  and  75  of  north 
latitude,  and  between  the  meridians  of  5  east  and  17-^  west  longitinle,  reckoned 
from  the  meridian  of  (ireenwicli,  ha\o  made  or  may  hereafter  make  the  like|)rovi- 
sion,  it  shall  1)(^  lawful  for  the  King  to  tix  a  time  of  year  during  which  it  is  forbiilden 
either  for  the  crew  of  a  Norwegian  vesstd  or  for  a  Norwegian  subject  within  the  area 
aforesaid  to  kill  or  capture  seals,  inclndiiin  I'lislojihom  erinluut. 

2.  Anyone  guilty  of  a  breach  of  the  ]irohibition  enacted  by  section  1,  or  who  shall 
in  an.v  way  aid  or  al)et  such  breach,  shall  be  lial)lo  to  a  line  of  from  20(1  to  10,000 
kronor.  Hut  iiomMif  the  crew  shall  be  held  lial)le  exicpt  the  master  in  case  thi'  siiid 
breach  took  jilace  either  by  his  order  or  with  his  knowleilge,  and  without  his  having 
done  everything  in  his  power  to  |)revont  the  same. 

The  ])rovision  in  the  Criminal  Law  of  tliu  Ih'd  .luno,  1x71.  2nd  chapter,  section  40, 
last  senteiK'e,  is  not  applicable. 

;>.  In  the  event  of  a  breach  of  the  ])rcseut  Law  taking  iilace,  it  will  be  dealt  with 
by  the  roliei'  Court.  The.  vessel  will  be  liable  for  any  tine  that  may  be  incurred  by 
either  the  m.-ister  oi  owner.     One-half  of  the  lines  shall  go  to  the  informer. 

We  have,  therefore,  Jiccepted  and  sanctloucd,  as  we  hereby  acce])t  and  sanction, 
this  Ki'solutiou  as  law. 

(Jiven  at  our  I'aluco  at  Stockholm,  the  18th  May,  1871),  nnder  our  hand  and  seal  of 
the  real  in. 

(signed)  [l,.  S.]  OSCAK. 


Ordinanee  of  the  King  of  Sweden  and  Xoncai/  to  enl<ihli!ili  a  Clone   Time  for  the  Seal 
Fishery  by  Swedinh  IVsgc/s  in  the  Arctie  Sean. — Stoekholm,  yovemher  oU,  lS7>u 

[Trniislation.] 

We,  Oscar,  bv  the  grace  of  God  King  of  Sweden  and  Norway,  of  the  Ooth.s  and 
the  Wends,  make  known  that,  consiihfring  that  the  scial  lishfiries  in  tin!  Arctic;  Seas, 
especially  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Jan  Mayen's  Island,  are  conducted  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  threuteu  the  extermination  of  the  seal  iu  thoue  waters,  and  the  total  destruo- 


278 


REPORT   OP    HRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


tiim  of  tlio  (Isliorios,  ncjjotiiitions  liuve  boeii  initiatptl  l»y  our  Kingdom  of  Norway 
witli  tlio  (iovoriiiiit^iits  of  tlioHc  foriM^n  coiiiiti'iHH  wIkiho  iiiliiiliitaiiu  tuUo  )iart  in  the 
Biiiil  liMlii-rii'H,  jin<l  tlioso  (JovcriiiiiiMits  iiiiving  now  |>i'oiiiiil)ralcil,  or  (k'dart'il  tlii^ir 
■willinfjiiesH  to  |)roiniil;ratc,  Hnitablo  Ordiiiaiicus  to  tlm  aliovti  cll'crt,  and  seeing;  that 
a  cortaiu  Hinall  niinilMT  of  SwtMlisli  Hlii|(M  aluo  take  part  in  \\w  listicrieH,  and  tliat,  in 
HO  tar  »H  tlicsH  Ordinances  an;  c.alcnlatod  to  worit  tin'  dt-Hiittd  t-llVct,  it  is  esHuntial 
lliiit,  as  IiaH  alriMuly  Utn-n  ordained  clHt-wlioro,  tlm  liability  for  tluMr  violation  should 
!(»',  of  Huch  a  character  as  to  ontwuiKli  tlui  Itenelit  to  ho  derived  from  a  breach  of  the 
law.  wo  have  now  thoii);lit  it  ri<;ht,  in  ho  far  nn  >Sweilen  iH  conetM'ned,  to  participato 
in  tlio  said  Agreement,  and  we  have  tlieri'fore  graeionsly  ordained  us  follows: 

^  1.  In  the  Arctic  Heas,  between  t>7^  and  75^  north  latitude  and  5°  east  and  17° 
west  longitude  from  (Jreenwich,  all  Swedisli  ships  and  all  .Swedish  subjects  are  for- 
bidden until  further  notice  to  kill  or  catch  seal  (including  the  I'hoca  crhtata)  earlier 

in  tin*  year  than  the  8rd  April. 
203  ^  -'.  All  persons  infringing  the  Regulations  contained  in  the  foregoing  par- 

agraph, or  being  in  any  manner  parties  to  such  inl'ringenu-nt,  will  be  liable  to 
a  line  of  from  200  to  10,0(M)  kronen-,  with  the  i»r()viso  that,  should  tiie  said  infringe- 
ment have  taken  place  either  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  eaidain  of  the  ship 
or  v.-ith  his  knowledge,  or  without  his  having  done  everything  in  his  power  t«i  guard 
against  it,  he  alone  of  all  the  crew  shall  be  liable  to  the  penalty  inciirred.  Of  the 
fines  imjiosed,  half  goes  to  the  infortnor  an<l  half  to  the  Crown.  Failing  means  to 
meet  the  fine,  the  corresponding  legal  penalty  shall  be  enforced. 

vS  3.  In  cases  of  violation  of  the  prescrii)tion8  of  this  Ordinance,  Jurisdiction  lies 
with  the  ordinary  Courts. 

Let  this  l>e  obediently  observed  by  all  whom  it  may  concern.  For  further  cer- 
tainty we  have  hereunto  atlixod  our  hand  and  seal. 

(.-jigued)  (L.  8.)  OSCAU. 

Stockholm  Palace,  November  SO,  1876. 


204 


Appendix  (P). 


Pauticci.ars  of  Pki.aoic  Catch  ok  MiMrisii  an'd  Unitkd  States  Sealinq- 

vK88Ei,8,  ia7i-yi. 

MnttoraiKhim  on  the  Nitmher  of  Fur-Seal  Skins  taken  at  Sea  in  1891. 

l'"'ri>m  the  K'elnrns  (I'ablo  A)  compiled  by  Mr.  Milne,  the  ('olleetor  of  Customs  at 
Viitoria,  Mritish  Coliiinlda,  and  from  infornuition  furnished  iiy  Mr.  1>.  Opi)enlieimor, 
tiie  Mayor  ol'  Vancouver,  it  apjiears  that  i\n'  number  of  15ritisli  vessels  engaged  in 
sealing  in  WM  was  lil'ty,  and  that  their  total  catch  for  the  year  was  49,615.  These 
Returns  have  been  i'omi)iled  with  the  greatest  care. 

With  regard  to  the  catch  of  the  United  States  sealing-vessels  for  the  same  year, 
there  is  much  dilliculty  in  arriving  at  an  estimate  of  the  number  of  skins  taken, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  jtractically  no  records  were  kept  by  the  United  States  Cus- 
toms authorities  of  the  uuniber  of  skins  landed.  The  only  otlicial  Returns  supplied 
to  us  are  those  derived  from  a  telegram  from  the  Custom-house  at  San  Francisco  to 
the  Treasury  l)ei»artment  at  Washington  (Table  B),  which  gives  certain  particulars 
ns  to  the  catch  of  sixt(!en  vessels,  and  statements  from  the  Collectors  of  Customs  at 
San  Francisco,  Port  Townsend,  Astoria,  and  San  Diego,  giving  the  number  of  aealiug- 
vessols  that  cleared  from  those  ports  in  181)1  (Table  C). 

From  the  latter  Table  it  ai)pear8  that  the  number  of  United  States  vessels  engaged 
in  sealing  in  181*1  was  forty-two,  but  no  details  as  to  their  catch  are  given. 

It  has  bei'ii  ascertained  that  ti2..')00  seal-skins  were  sold  in  Loudon  in  1891,  under 
the  classilication  of  "North- West,"  this  being  the  termed  used  for  skins  supposed 
to  be  taken  at  sea. 

If  we  assume  that  these  represent  the  whole  pelagic  catch  for  the  season  of  1891 
in  all  parts  of  the  North  Pacific  Ocean,  and  deduct  from  this  number  those  known  to 
have  been  taken  by  British  vessels,  i.  e.,  49,615,  there  remains  a  balance  of  12,885 
skins  to  be  accounted  for.  A  certain  number  of  those  may  have  been  taken  by  the 
Indians  in  canoes  on  the  coasts  of  Washington,  British  Columbia,  and  Sonth-East 
Alaidia,  but  their  number  would  probably  not  amount  to  more  than  3,000.  Thii 
•would  leave  about  10,000  as  the  catch  of  the  United  States  sealing-vessels. 

It  must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  above  figure  of  62,500  does  not  repre 
sent  the  total  number  of  skins  taken,  as  a  portion  of  those  sent  to  London  are 
re-exported  after  having  been  dressed,  and  thus  would  not  appear  in  the  sales  list, 
and  that,  besides,  many  skins  are  not  aeut  to  London  at  all  to  be  dressed,  bnt  ar* 
prepared  in  America. 


feErORT    OF    HRITISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


2VJ 


It  aiif>fjirM,tli('i(>tori',  tliat  in  tJio  iil)s(Mi(!e  of  Hiilllrioiit  otllrial  ri'cnids  it  is  iiii|)«ssi- 
l)l<i  to  lonii  auytliiiij;morf  tiiiin  a  v<u'y  approxiinati'  cstiiiiatti  of  tlie  immluir  of  sciil- 
NkiiiH  taken  by  tlio  IJiiiteil  States  H(!alin;;-vu.sHflt<. 

Taking  the  average  catch  of  tlio  HiitJHh  Coiimihiaji  vc.«><cls  as  1,000,  and  allowing 
a  HJniilar  catch  to  the  United  StalcH  vessels,  their  total  catdi  would  amount  to 
about  40,000,  but  froui  information  derive<l  from  niuitlicial  sources  this  estiuiato 
apftears  to  be  too  great,  and  after  careful  consideration  it  may  lie  estimated  that  the 
cal<h  of  the  forty-two  United  States  vessels  engaged  in  sealing  in  ISDI  was  between 
1G,000  and  l.'0,000. 


205 


TAni.K  (\).—Tin(ish'  ColiimhiaH  Smliii;)  Fleet,  IS9I. 


tonis  at 

nheimer, 

iged  in 

These 


ot  repre 
idun  are 
lalcs  list, 
bat  an 


Name  <if  Vcsaol. 


Annie  ().  Aliiiire 

Auroni 

Aniciku 

Ariel 

Annie  E.  I'luiil 

H((iitrie.e 

IJeatrii'o  (Vuncjiivt'i) 

Uurealis 

U.  D.  Kand  (Vancouver) 

CarlotlA  G.  Cox 

Carmelit* 

C.  H.  Tapper 

Kliza  ]C<(war(ls,  HteiunHliip 

( Vancouver) 

B.  B.  Marvin 


Favourite 

(leneva 

Kiitlierine 

Kate 

jA'titia 

lialirador 

Laura 

Minnie 

Maggie  Mac 

Mary  Taylor 

Mascotte 

Mountain  Cliicf 

Mary  Elian 

MaudS 

May  iielle 

Otto 

Ocean  Belle 

0»car  and  Ilaltie 

I'enelope 

I'ioneer 

Kosie  Olson 

Sierra  

Sapphire 

Soa  Lion 

Tereaa  

Triumph 

Thistle,  steam-ship 

Umhrina 

Venture 

Vancouver  Belle  (Vancouver) 

Viva 

W.  P.  Savward 

Winnilrod 

AValter  A.Earle 

Wanderer 

Walter  L.Kioh 


Fifty  vessels 

Skins  purchased  from  In- 
dian* at  y  iotoria  in  18U1 . . 


a 
o 
H 


113 

42 
75 
«1 
82 

m 

•JH 

;)7 

19 
7tJ 
U'.t 
Ult 

;!7 

117 


Cn^ 


80 

12 

0 

!r2 

0 

23 

81 

9 

5 

68 

0 

5 

'^S 

U 

20 

5 

11 

11) 

G 

0 

40 

12 

6 

71 

1 

24 

43 

5 

18 

40 

2 

5 

2:l 

0 

.  .  * 

fi!) 

10 

12 

07 

7 

24 

58 

5 

10 

85 

5 

7 

8:i 

7 

23 

81 

5 

20 

70 

7 

20 

CU 

e 

21 

38 

0 

3 

35 

ii 

124 

8>S 

211 

50 

6 

10 

u;i 

7 

23 

08 

7 

23 

147 

7 

26 

08 

7 

23 

48 

15 

4 

7a 

27 

02 

6 

23 

69 

13 

0 

13 

2 

2 

G8 

C 

20 

25 

0 

4 

79 

7 

22 

23 
5 


25 


7     16 

21    ... 

5  !  22 
lUI... 

5 

4 
20 
23 
24 

15 

23 


20 


46 
53 


59 


270 


35 
3 


32 
4 


;i08 

137 

54 

7 

21 

21 


Ciiteli. 


73 

to 


442 
340 
400 


IIIO 
]:>0 
473 


517 
751 
235 

1 

1C2 


337 
224 
101 


374 


373 
548 
445 


COO 
304 
701 


170 
54 

229 

102 
40 

886 

;io 

354 


170 
0 


187 
7 

198 
7 


508 
4(10 
410 
712 
170 


974 

584 
307 
000 
204 
405 


1,201 
7;i4 


848 
200 
510 


Date  of 
Warning, 


o 
H 


588 
47 


1,082 
154 
870 
200 

1,547; 


1,510 

1,030 

374 

40 


2,070 
440 
406 

1,082 
154 

1,071 
:i42 

2,410 


2,  381 

207 

1,224 

1,100 


216 

61 

22 

3 

204 
79 


1,030 

241 

48 

1,170 

1,002 

001 

1,484 

52 


2, 435 

82 
085 
171 

82 
504 
050 

28 
731 
801 

08 

1,  021 

330 

21 


3,401    360 


715  |308 


3,  565 


17,162   23.888 


2,  Olio 

2,300 

600 

50 
738 


2,  753 

404 

1,415 

1,132 

4 

500 

01 

703 

0H8 

703 

80 

21 

005 

1,421 

042 

48 

1,008 

1,525 

l.liliO 

2,  358 
208 
KHIi 

3,  430 
1,1120 
1,  202 
1,013 

3K5 

900 

659 

28 

1,092 

1,722 

105 

2,007 

537 

540 


49, 615 
1,953 


Aug. 
July 
June 
Ann. 
tiniii' 
July 


July   12 

Aug.  1(1 

8 

July     1 

"       7 
"       1 

(Seized 
J  uly  0) 
Aug.  12 
.Inly  10 
"     18 


Dale 

of 

Iti'tiirn  to 

lirili.sh 

Ciilnni- 

bia 

Aug. 

30 

" 

11 

July 

27 

Sept. 

7 

July 

28 

Sept. 

27 

Aug. 

20 

31 

Aug. 

30 

built. 

2 

July 


July  27 


Sept   18 

Aug.  30 

Sipt,.  24 

"     28 


Au« 


28 

24 

3 

14 

20 
>.ov.  10 


July 
Aug 


July     2 
"■    23 

41        *2'* 

Seizor 
Jiini!  30 


July    7 
July  24 


Aug.  6 
July  14 
"  17 
"  17 
"  12 
"      23 


July    5 
June  30 


July  15 

Aug.  12 

"      15 

June  29 


Aug.  20 
July  20 
Sept.  26 
Aug.  21 
Sept.  27 
'•  23 
"  22 
Oct.  8 
Sept.  17 
Aug.  20 


Sept.  2 
Aug.  1 
Sept.  27 
Aug.    5 

"  1 
Sept.    9 

••     17 


Sept.  17 
Aug.  22 

•'  11 
Sept.    2 

"  17 
July  27 


t  Total  orair. 


•I.  =  InBide  Behiing  Sea.    O.  =  0ut.sido  Belirinp  Sea. 

}a09  caught  oil'  Kurile  Islands.  i  <iy.  Boats  apart  from  oanoM. 


w 


ii 


2«Sl)  KKl'OKT    OF    IIKITISH    COMMISSIO.NKRS. 

2()6  TAiii.h:  (IJ).— /'aW/./i/r/ct  <>f  Ihiihil  Si„in  Seitli,„j  I'livl,  ISDl. 

N.  K.  'I'Ihki'  pill  lii  iiliirs  iiir  iliirh  iil  I'nnii  iiiriii'iii;ii  icni  uivni  to  tlit<  lli'liriiii;  Sia  ('iiiiiniiHHioiinrR  Iiy 
Ml .  ■! .  Slaiiliw  -liriiu  ii  lit  \Vui«liiii;;tiiii  iu  .Miirrli  IH.i'.',  anil  u  lii<  h  lii<  Hialril  wits  all  llmt  In-  wiiit  iibltt 
III  nillci  I  t'i'uiii  iillli  jiil  Hiiiirrt'H. 

'2\  Nc!ilinj;-vi'«s('lH  clciircd  Iroiii  Sim  I''r;iii('isco  in  Ik;i|,  an  \ntr  tclf^jraiim  iVoiii  Collector 
K.  Ii.  .Icniiiiii,  rdiniary  !.'.■>  iiml  l.'ii,  \H'.fJ: 

Alln'it  Walkt'r.  Matlii  T.  l)y<T. 

llattic  C.:iiH^.  ('.  II.  Wliili'-. 

Ilt'lt'ii  Itliiiii.  ('it V  <><"Suii  liii';;o. 

JJIv  L.  .1.  11.  I..\vis. 

C.  (i.  Whito.  K.  ]■].  W.lisli  r. 

Ili^riiiaiin.  Li//ir  I  »('il>,v. 
La  Niiiit'a.  luliii  llancoik. 

i  ouis  oKseii  (8.  8.).  Miiry  (iillxTt. 


Siipliit;  Siidioiiaiiil. 
Sun  I  lirjrii. 
Annie  llailiy. 
Kinnia  ajiil  l.onise. 
l>(i.sii'  Sparks, 
rear!. 
Alfxaniltr. 

'I'llistlf   ((i.  8.). 


9  soalinj^-vt'ssols  clcarcil  IVkmi  Port TownsiMul,  as  per  t<!lr;nraiii.s  from  (.'ollcetor  A. 
\Va8»oii,  reliriiaiy  L'.'j  and  L'(!,  I«!IL': 

AllioAl^iT.  (icor;j;c  1{.  Wliito.  Henry  I'i'nnis. 

I'.niniet  Felix,  Mist.  .1.  C.  Swan  (Neah  May). 

('Iiailen>{c.  Mayllower.  I.ottle  ( N<'ali  IJay). 

2  seMlinif-viNsolweleared  from  .\.storia,  as  per  telon;rams  from  ("olle<'tor  K.  A.  Taylor, 
l>el»ruary  I'u  and  M,  ibiiJ: 

iiossio  Kufter. 

Kate  and  .\n)i  (Vakina  Hay). 

2  8ealin;;-vessels  cleared  from  San  Diejfo,  as  i)er  telegram  from  Collector  .John  R. 
IJerry,  1-ebniary  2t),  i.H'S2 : 

Lanra. 
Ktliel. 

5  sealing;- Vessels  cleared  from  miacellaiieons  Cnited  States  ports: 


Sill.<i  (Ii). 

1 

Sitka. 


'12  total  nnmher  of  vessels. 


A<(r/ii(/,   hliiiid  (3). 
Nellie  Martin. 
Undannted. 
F.  F.  l-'eeiicy. 


Tablk  (C). — Information  iahnJiiied  from  Tehi/rams  from  fhe  Ciiittom-honxe  at  San  Fran- 
riHco  to  tli<'  Tnamir!/  Ihpartmvnt,  Wunhinijton,  dated  February  10,  1S9~. 


[TiikiMi  IVoin  MiiiiilVsts;  iiiiil  Mr.  Staiilryliiiiwii  slaten  inall  that  the  ('iistoni-liinisc  JKiible  to  furniNh.] 


Naiiii!  of  Vessel. 

Dale  of  A 

rrix 

al. 

ISill 
u 

It 
II 

11 

11 
ii 

Skins 
reported. 

■1    II    Lewis    . 

Mareh 

7, 

1, 

5. 

17, 

17, 

ai, 

21, 

1, 

10, 
■Ii, 
24, 
:>, 
8. 
!', 
9, 

7 

148 

17 

465 

438 

23 

15 

i.osn 

9 

lU 

81 

31 

3 

Kosi»!  Si»arI\H 

Sotihic  Sutli<^rliiinl   

Aii^iiist 

Scpl  ember 

Dneliilier 
.September 

Oelolier 

Ndvjimber 

C.H.  \yiiity 

(J.  (1,  Wilson - 

C.d.  White 

Ditto       

LilvL 

Helen  Illiini    

K  E  WeliHler 

I'earl 

2 

894 

9 

Laliimru 

Joliu  R. 


KEI'OHT    OF    HKITISH    rOMMISSIONERS. 


281 


'I'lio  follnwiii;;  HkiiiH  wiTo  tukiMi  to  piirtH  in  Alaska,  uiitl  arrived  at  8aii  FraiiciKco 

ill  COUHlill^-VliHtll-lH: 


Niiiiic  of  V 

•n»v\. 

Date. 

CarKo. 

SS.  Ilrrllm 

Jnly 
Aii;iii8t 

Oiliil.ff 
Niivoiiiliiir 

:u.  1«91 
4,    •• 
14,    •• 

"h!  " 

u,   " 

I'n<la>iiiti'<l 

N.'riiaxcr 

1(1  liiirirln. 

4)i  s;li  I.H  ;lllll  12  lllllllllcR. 
21    HkillH. 

42  biiiiilli'H  uiiil  1  li<>\. 

llliik.lrv    

SS.  •Ii'iiiiio 

A  rii  jjo 

207 


Siimmarii  Sliileiiwntof  the  .liiiiroximalv  \uinher  of  Fiir-SmI  Skinii  taken  by  I'vliujio 
Scull  IS  f mm  /.s',V  to  IS'JI. 


Yi'iir. 


1871) 

'"   i 

IH7H> 

387!».. 
1880.. 
ISHl.. 
1H82.. 
1883.. 

1884.. 
1885.. 
1886.. 
1887.. 
1888.. 
1880.. 
18!)0.. 
1891.. 


NllIllllIT  111' 

HiJtiHh 

riitoli.   ' 

('iiliiiiiliiaii 

V(!»»<'Ih. 

' 

Aliiiiit  :i 

?2.  (100 

4 

M,8ilO 
?  4.  8110 
?  (i.  IMH' 

4 

5 

8 

f  12,000 
? 13,  500 

9 

11 

»  Ifi,  r.00 

13 

21,  189 

16 

24.:i|4 

17 

20,  2r.o 

21 

24,  :i29 

22 

27.  8r>8 

20 

:i!l,  547 

50 

49.  615 

A|iiiriixi. 

unite 

NiiiiilMr 

III'  I'liiti'il 

Sliitfn 
VesBi'U. 


A|i|iriixiiiialo 
Catch. 


Catch  of  Furvicii  Vessels. 


13 
32 
8 
33 
12 
42 


2,  5110 
(in  Kchriii!;  Si-ii) 


11,000 

II.,  (lOO 

Viikiiiiwn 
13,  .100 

11.000 
18,000 


I  (ioriiiiiii  (ciitrh  unkiiuwn) 


1,756 
605 
1,350 
1,214 
1, 701 
1,031 


A|i|)roxi- 
iiiat)' 
TuUl. 


2,000 

4,  ROO 

4,  8iH) 

6,  mW 

12,  OOO 

16,  000 

16.500 
25, 935 
30,000 
37,  .500 
25, 000 
42,  870 
51,  .560 
68,000 


Since  1S85  correct  dnta  of  Hie  ..ritisii  Colnnibian  seal iiijj;- vessels  have  been  pre- 
scrvcil ;  previous  to  that  ycjir  the  tifjiires  };iveii  are  iqiproxiniate. 

All  figures  ^ivcu  for  tlie  United  States  sealing-tleet  are  approximate,  no  reliable 
records  having  been  kept. 

The  catch  of  the  German  vessel  ("AdMo")  .are  correct,  she  having  landed  her  cargo 
at  Victoria. 


Annual  Reports  of  Number  and  Catch  of  Hiitinh  Coiiimbian  Sealing  Fleet  from  1871 

to  IS'.H). 


SEALING  REPOUT  FROM  YEARS  1871  TO  1878. 


Skiiin 
!  iviMUlril. 

7 

148 

17 

465 

438 

23 

15 

i.osn 

9 
10 
61 

31 
3 

2 

894 
9 


Vl'HMt'lfl. 

Tons. 

Crow. 

Fftvourifco  .   .- 

80 
29 
36 

14 

8 

9 

The  above  vessels  at  this  time  were  not  regularly  engaged  iu  seal-hunting,  but 
were  visiting  the  trading  Rtatioiis  of  their  ownerN,  where  many  of  the  skins  were 
obtained  by  barter  from  the  Indians  along  the  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island, 
Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  Bella  Bella,  Bella  Coula,  and  other  points  on  the  British 
Columbian  coast. 

The  owners  being  very  reticent,  no  reliable  information  could  be  obtained;  con- 
secjuently,  the  nuniber  of  skins  and  the  extent  of  the  industry  were  not  known  at 
that  time. 

The  probable  catch  of  the  Indians  and  above  vessels  would  be  about  from  3,000 
to  5,000  skins  yearly,  and  the  price  at  this  time  waa  low,  »bout  from  3  to  4  dollars 
per  skin. 


282 


REPORT    OF    HKITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


I; 


It  waa  rnporti^il  in  th(«  venni  1K7i  nti<l  \flTt  tlint  tha  American  nrhnoner  "CyniAt," 
Cnptiiin  KIiiiImtIv,  v^ctit  to  lielirinj;  S«a  anil  olitainpil  n(uu\  <;atch^H.  ThiM  ia  prol>al>1y 
iniHtrrect,  lui  tli*;  oliiuf  object  of  iier  voyage  woa  aeaotter  liuntiitg,  abe  one*  briugiug 
tbem  to  Victoria. 


BBALINO  RKVOUr  Fi)K  YKAUS  1878  TO  IMa 


VmwU. 

Ton*. 

Crew. 

80 
29 
36 
35 

u 

'riioriit' til.. ••••>-■••.•■>••..••••••••••■•••••-•••••••••■•■•>•>■*•■■••■ ■••>■■•••• 

8 

S 

s 

Theee  vohhpIs  wcro  en^n^tMl  in  tin-  coii-tt  Hoiiliiif;  only,  with  an  avtM!it;<i  rutcli  oacli 
of  about  1,20U;  price  of  nkinM  tlifn  in  Victoria  from  4  to  5  dollara  eucb,  the  Iniliau 
catch  being  about  2,000  to  2,500  akinH  yearly. 


BEAMXO  REPORT,  1881. 


VeaneU. 

Tons. 

Craw. 

KftTonritit ..••.••......... 

80 
29 
36 
35 
63 

14 

Thornton      . 

8 

9 

On  ward •• 

9 

Marv  Ellen 

,2 

Theae  vessels  wore  only  cii^ia^fd  in  sealing  on  the  west  coaHt  of  Vaiipoiivor  Inland, 
about  1,200  skins  being  the  average  catcb.  Value  at  Vicluria  about  5  dollars  per 
akin. 

No  official  Report  made  by  above  veasels,  and  no  memoranda  at  Custom-bouse. 

About  this  time  the  Indians  would  kill  and  bring  to  Victoria  for  Bale  about  2,D00 
akina  yearly. 


SEALING  REPORT,  1882. 


Ve«(M*ls. 

Tfins. 

Crow. 

Favoiirite - 

80 
29 
36 
35 
77 
69 
69 
63 

14 

0 

Auiia  i^6ck... - -- 

g 

Onward  .........•.••.....• 

9 

Orftco ..-.. ..■■•■•••.• 

12 

14 

AV.  P.  Skyward 

Mary  Ellen 

12 

12 

These  vessels  were  only  enga  d  in  sealing  on  the  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island, 
and  did  not  go  to  Hehring  .Sea,  The  average  catch  would  be  about  1,500  skins  for 
each  vessel,  and  the  prices  lov     about  from  5  dollars  to  5  dol.  50  c.  per  skin. 

Vessels  at  this  time  oonaidered  in  the  coasting  trade,  and  no  official  Report  kept. 


r'<Cy(tnet." 
niaprohalily 
ac«  briugiiiK 


Totm. 

Crow. 

80 

14 

29 

8 

36 

B 

35 

B 

;(i  riift'li  oacli 
II,  the  Intliuu 


Tons. 

Crew. 

80 

14 

28 

8 

36 

0 

85 

9 

63 

2 

Oliver  iHland, 
5  dollars  per 

oni-Iioiise. 
about  2,G(X) 


Tons.     Crew, 


80 

14 

29 

B 

36 

9 

35 

9 

77 

12 

89 

14 

6B 

12 

63 

12 

Oliver  Island, 
500  Bkins  for 
Bkiu. 
Report  kept. 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 

BEALINO  KKI'OKT,  1883. 


283 


VoitlM'U. 

Ton*. 

Craw. 

Miirv  Kll.ii  

63 
77 
S9 
36 
29 
OU 
58 
69 
8') 

13 

(iia.n 

14 

W.  J'.  Sftvwurd 

J  a 

lu 

I'horntoii -  - 

I>iil|iliin 

.'.."■ 

12 

12 

Allrwl  Ailiiiua 

14 

KavouriU» ,,. .., 

16 

None  of  tli«8(>  veBscls  cloarod  for  or  t'litorcd  Upliriiijj  S«'a,  but  confined  their  opera- 
tioiiR  to  limiting  on  tlu'  west  ro.ist  of  Vancouver  iHland.  Number  of  Hoaln  taken  by 
eacili  Bcbor>ner  not  recorded.  The  average  catch  for  each  vesHel  woiUd  be  about  1,.'J(I0 
skins;  value  at  Victoria  about  (!  dollars  <>a('li. 

In  this  year  the  American  schooner  "City  of  San  Diejjo,"  Daniel  McLean,  master, 
and  his  brotlier  Alexander,  mate,  and  a  crow  uf  thirteen  men,  entered  Hehring  Sea 
to  hunt  seal.s,  and  had  a  suceeNHl'ul  catch  of  2,500  skins.  This  vessel  fitted  out  in 
San  Francisco  and  proceeded  direct  to  HehriuR  Sea. 

In  this  year  the  (ieniian  schooner  "Atlele,"  which  came  from  .lapan,  was  caught 
trespaHsini;  near  seal  islands  in  Hehring  Sea,  and  w.ns  seized,  bat  was  afterwards 
released.  The  aei/.ing  vessel  conliscating  the  skius,  reported  the  skins  taken  at 
about  300. 


200 


P'  AMNO  nKrORT,  1884. 


Vt'BseU. 

Tons' 

Crew. 

Tliorntnit   .. .■■, 

29 
6U 
35 
58 
30 
77 
59 
69 
81 
63 
80 

g 

16 

9 

Kiite 

12 

Anna  Beck ... 

u 

Oraoe ...             ..   .. 

18 

W .  r.  Say  ward 

12 

16 

lUack  Diamond  

19 

Mary  Ellen 

17 

Favoarit* 

19 

All  the  above  reported  as  having  entered  Heliring  Sea,  but  no  returns  reported. 
Average  in  1884  about  1,.')00  skin.s  per  vessel.  Have  carefully  examined  the  records, 
and  can  iiiid  no  particulars  of  catch. 

The  following  foreign  vessels  also  cleared  from  Victoria,  British|Colambia,  but  did 
not  return : 


Vessels. 

Tons. 

Crew. 

City  of  San  Diugo 

38^ 
50 

10 

AltiXi'uder - 

American. 

Oltor 

Ad61e 

ii 


284  REPORT    OF    HRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 

CATCH  OF  BKITISn  COLUMBIAN  SKALING-VE.SSELS,  1885. 


VeHsels. 


KiiMtler 

Kiitti 

Favourite 

Oiiwiinl 

Diilpliin 

Uliiik  Dianioiid 

All'ifil  Adaiim 

<  i  iiico 

Tliipnitiiii 

W.  r.  Siiywiml 

Moiiiitaiu  ('hit'f 

Aiiiiu  licck 

Mary  Ellou 

(Thirtct'ii  vosmcIh.) 


TdllH. 


Men. 


28 

S 

58 

14 

80 

18 

;i5 

9 

(id 

15 

Ml 

15 

6!l 

18 

77 

16 

2'J 

9 

5y 

16 

20 

6 

30 

7 

6.1 

:8 

701 


166 


C.itrli. 


Coast. 


1,450 
1.67.") 
1,7'J6 
1,«!I4 
l,s:i;i 
i.4i;o 

I.HIW 
1,4'J5 
1,  900 
1,  i;'J5 
1,  2;i4 
1,489 


20,  389 


;iU(i 


500 


800 


Total. 


1, 4.')0 
1,07.-1 
1,  7i;t! 
I,ti94 
l,8:i3 
1,  426 
l.Hl-J 
1.800 
I,  425 
1,  900 
1,225 
1,  234 
1,989 


21,189 


OTlIKll  .SKIN.S  LANDED  AT  VICTORIA. 


Aili'li!  ((iniiian). 


210 


50 


15 


1,350 


40O 


CATCH  OV  liKITISII  COLUMHIAN  SEALIXU- VESSELS,  1886. 


1, 7,56 


Vessels. 


Marv  K.lU'ii 

Patliliiider 

Dolpliiu 

IVnt'loiio 

(iraco 

Anna  Heck 

W.  I'.Saywanl 

Altri'tl  Ailaiiis 

Favourite 

Klack  Dianionil 

T.rosa 

Arctiea 

Kate 

Tlmrnlon* 

On  ward' 

Carolina* 

(Sixteen  vessels.) 
Ade'.e  ((iernuiu) 


*  Tliese  ves.'-.els  weri'  sei/.ed  and  conlisealeil  liy  the  ITuitod  States  Government. 


Catch. 

Tons. 

Uoats 

mill 

Canoes. 

Crew. 

Const. 

lieliring 
Sea. 

Total. 

63 

6 

24 

1,200 

2, 3.53 

3,553 

CO 

0 

22 

750 

950 

1, 700 

60 

5 

"iH 

1,040 

900 

2,  000 

70 

8 

20 

600 

(i50 

1,2.50 

77 

6 

21 

000 

1, 100 

1,700 

30 

9 

18 

541 

001 

1,142 

59 

5 

24 

7,50 

8,50 

1,600 

09 

10 

22 

0,"iO 

750 

1,400 

80 

12 

28 

6,50 

2, 231 

2,8,41 

81 

12 

24 

3.-in 

378 

728 

03 

5 

18 

800 

1,400 

2,  200 

42 

58 
29 
35 
32 

4 
4 
3 
4 
4 

10 
15 
14 
15 
15 

1,300 

1 ,  090 

500 

400 

700 

1,300 

1 ,  000 

,500 

400 

700 

920 

101 

314 

11.921 

12,  423 

24,  344 

00 

4 

10 

433 

132 

605 

Catch. 


Ut-liring 
Sou. 

Total. 

1,  450 
1   fi7') 

.......... 

liOO 

1,  7L'(i 
1,  ti!l4 
1,  H.')3 
1,4^6 
1,  H12 
1,  HOO 
I  423 

1,225 
1,  2:!4 
1,9«9 

5(J0 

«00 

21, 189 

400 


2, 353 
950 
900 
(iSO 

1, 100 
fiOl 
850 
750 

2,  2:tl 
378 

1,400 


1,750 


Total. 


3,553 

1, 700 

2,  000 

1,250 

1,700 

1,142 

1,60(1 

1,400 

2,881 

728 

2.  2(10 

l,:t(>() 

1,000 

,500 

4(10 

700 


24,  344 
005 


REPORT    OF   BRITISH    COMAIISSIONERS. 
C.VTCII  OK   imiTISlI  rOLtJMHIAN  SEAI.rXr,.VE.S,SKL.S,  1887. 


28rj 


A'csscls. 


AV.  P.  .Saywari!'. 

Anna  r.nck* 

(J  race* 

I)cil|pliin» .' 

Allied  Adams.. 

Ada* 

I.dttio  Kairticld.. 

llarv  Tavlor 

ratlilindiT 

IN'mldpc 

Tiiiini|)li 

FaviPiirito 

Jilack  Diniimnd  .. 
lloimlain  Cliicf. . 

Teresa 

Kate 

Mary  Kllen 


Tom 


liiials. 


Crew. 


(Seventeen  veMsels.) 
Ad(''le((iernian) 


59 
30 

77 

00 

0!) 
04 
125 
43 
00 
09 
98 
80 
81 
20 
03 
58 
69 

1,143 
50 


12 
4 

6 
5 
12 
0 
6 
5 
6 
6 
6 
14 
5 
7 
7 
8 
8 


24 
12 

18 
18 
29 
24 
24 
18 
21 
23 
24 
28 
21 
15 
23 
20 
24 


C'dast. 


477 
210 
410 
330 
525 
512 
400 
450 
1,000 
■■00 


Catch. 

liehrini; 
.Sea. 


030 
250 
700 
5,50 
743 
515 


120 

359 
2.SH 
X54 

1,304 

2,  fi()(l 
.i5o 

l,;(li(l 
7(10 
480 

1,  257 
245 


T(jtttl. 


690 


945 


477 

330 

709 

018 

1,370 

1.87(i 

3,  000 

1.000 

2,  300 

1,  5(10 

48(t 

1,887 

495 

700 

1,240 

743 

1,400 


123 
5 


301 
20 


8,  .5(12 
720 


11,704 
630 


20, 200 
1,350 


211 


*  .Seized  by  Tnitod  States  rioveninient  in  Behrinij  Sea. 
CATCH   OK  15UITISII   COLUMIilAN   SEALING-VKSSKLS,  1888. 


Ves.sel.H. 


Mary  Ellen 

JVnel()|w 

.liianita 

Moiinliiin  (,'liief  . 

.San  .Ios6 

Sapphire 

A'iva 


lUack  Diamond 
Mary  'I'aylor. .. 

Triumph. 

Annie  (',  Moore 
Mn^'yie  M,ic  ... 

Favourite 

Annie 

UoHie  Olson 

I'athlindnr 

I.ily 

O.  .S.  Kowler 

Alinnie 

Aurora 

Arauuaht 


(Twenty  one  ves.iels.) 
Adelo  (German) 


Tons. 


lionts. 


12 


40 

13 

26 

6 

52 

4 

124 

9 

92 

6 

81 

9 

43 

9 

98 

12 

1,3 

6 

71 

5 

79 

13 

25 

5 

39 

4 

00 

9 

08 

12 

34 

3 

40 

12 

41 

11 

71 

5 

Crow. 


30 

20 

28 

10 

10 

22 

21 

20 

24 

29 

23 

20 

30 

11 

13 

22 

22 

12 

20 

23 

20 


Coast. 


805 
1,410 
177 
4O0 
107 
1,200 
800 
231 
3'J2 


Catch. 

ISehrinjj  I 
Sea.-     i 


910 
1,937 
1,017 

825 


125 
300 
150 

loo 

600 
93 
230 
209 
335 


2,  otig 

803 

ziio 

715 

1,299 

1,834 

1,  039 

500 

050 


,525 


Total. 


1,715 
3,  347 

1. 194 

1,  225 
107 

1,200 
2,875 
1,U94 

392 
2,470 

715 
1,424 

2,  1.34 

1. 195 
600 

1,  2.50 

93 

230 

731 

335 


1,34  7 

;'.o 


170 
8 


442 

20 


7,  G7<i 

392 


10,053 

822 


24,  329 
1,214 


1   'Araonah     aei/.ed  by  Kiissiaus  near  Coiiper  Island  ( Parliamentary  Paper  C.  0253.  p.  80). 


286  REPORT   OP    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 

CATCH  OF  BRITISH  COLUMBIAN  SEALrNG-VKSSELS,  1889. 


Vessels. 


Pathfinder 

Teresa 

Annie  C.  Mnoii'. 

ViTa 

Penelope 

Sapphire 

Aurora 

Jiianita 

Mary  Taj'lor 

Minni« 

Wanderer 

Ariel 

Lily 

Black  Diamond.. 

Ka'* 

Favourite 

Mou  't«iu  Chief. 

Sierra 

W.  P.  Say  ward  . 

Winnifred 

Beatrice 

Maggie  Mac 


(Twenty-two  vesttcls.) 
Ad61o  (German) 


Tons. 


m 

c:i 

u;! 

9i! 
70 
r.':i 
41 
40 
42 
4(! 
15 
till 
6.-! 
81 

r.8 

Til 
26 
10 
59 
10 
67 
70 


1,320 


Boats. 


179 


Crow. 


24 


2:i 


21 


29 
18 
21 
Ifi 


29 
24 
25 
i:i 
5 
29 


481 


S])rin;j 


1184 
284 
nil) 

.').';9 
:tS4 
754 

:i:u) 
in:) 
3s;) 

200 
178 


280 
347 
624 


210 

i^0 


500 
164 


6. 129 
240 


Catch. 


Cna.st. 


55  K 

4^9 
872 


610 
480 

:i2 

364 


841 
282 
34(1 


Bclirins; 

S.-a. 


,'),.(   I 


48 
82S 
1,318 
2,182 
1,  796 
1,626 


29 
"560' 


844 
74 
55 

800 
1,704 


1,643 


!  700 

613  i         1,290 


6, 242         15,  497 
1,461     


Total. 


990 
1,310 

2.  1 20 

3,  Ii43 
2,180 
2,  990 

816 
164 
747 
700 
178 

1,  (:85 
354 
6H4 

1,424 

2,104 

210 

80 

2,  200 

1,200 
2,  067 

27, 868 
1,  701 


213 


CATCH  OK  BRITISH  COLUMBIAN  SEALIXGVESSELS,  1800. 


Vessels. 


Mary  Taylor 

Pioneer 

Viva 

Triumph 

E.  B.  Marvin... 

Sapphire 

C.H.  Tapper... 

KaU 

Farourito , 

Aurora 

Beatrice 

Katharine 

Lily 

Penelope 

■W.  P.  Say  ward. 

Magf^ia  Mac 

Jnanita 

Annie  C.  Mooro. 

Teresa 

Ariel 

Minnie 

SeaLi'T.   

Walter  L.  Rich. 

Ocean  Belle 

Wanilerer 

Venture 

Mary  Ellen 

Alciiintain  Chief. 
Letitia 


(Thirty  vei<nils,) 
AdMe  (German) , 


Tons. 


43 

66 
92 
98 
117 
124 
99 
58 
80 
42 
06 
81 
09 
70 
59 
71 
40 
113 
03 
91 
40 
50 
79 
83 
25 
48 
70 
23 
28 


1,  994 


Crew. 


Boats,  i 


11 
5 
6 
7 
7 
19 
7 

16 

13 

11 

12 

11 

9 

5 

9 

0 

10 

7 

7 

12 

0 

5 

6 

7 

9 

4 

7 

4 

5 


246 


White.  Indian. 


6 

20 

23 

23 

26 

0 

23 

5 

6 

5 

4 

5 

5 

22 

6 

20 

0 

20 

23 

4 

5 

18 

20 

23 

4 

15 
23 


372 


18 


36 


2') 
26 
19 
25 
18 
20 


10 


16 


15 


293 

7 


Catch. 


Siirini;. 


104 

235 
202 
1.^2 
308 


156 

356 
165 
220 
380 
122 
148 
154 


07 
90 
175 
220 
300 
254 
122 


82 
94 
115 
00 
70 


,  658 
220 


Coist. 


302 
716 
436 

1,018 
878 

1,378 
.571 
511 
981 
797 
710 
345 


678 
339 
1,  200 
311 
703 
569 
349 
704 
817 
502 
916 


951 


Beliriiij: 
Sea. 


10,  732 


592 

981 

2,015 

473 

91 S 

7i;i 
790 

230 
1,116 


854 
945 

500 
445 

4,59 
752 
770 
030 
.i,-|0 
137 
407 
774 
C:l3 
480 


18,  165 
811 


Total. 


098 

1,  935 
2,713 
1,073 
2,164 
2, 242 
1,307 

897 

2,  453 
902 

1,784 
1, 670 

022 
1,171 

952 
1.9.52 
1,178 
1,423 
1,104 

1 ,  700 

2.  531 
1,815 
1,317 
1,  420 

82 
94 
1,  060 
(iO 
70 


39, 547 
1,031 


m 


Iiriiii; 

T„tal. 

48 

990 

8-.'.S 

1,310 

l,:iiK 

2.  1  L'O 

2,  i«:i 

3,  043 

1,  7!H) 

2,  180 

1,  (iliti 

2,  990 

810 

■^'j 

1G4 

747 

500 

700 

178 

844 

1,  085 

74 

354 

55 

084 

8(10 

1,424 

1,7(14 

2,104 

210 

Kl) 

1,043 

2.  200 

700 

1,200 

,  'JIIO 

2,  007 

5,  4SI7 

27,  808 

1,  701 

Sea. 

Total. 

592 

998 

981 

1,  935 

2,015 

2,713 

473 

1,073 

2,164 

71  "i 

2, 24a 

71)0 

1, 387 

'230 

897 

1,118 

2,  453 

902 

854 

1,784 

945 

1, 070 

500 

022 

445 

1,171 

459 

952 

752 

1,  9.52 

770 

1,178 

030 

1,423 

1,194 

1,137 

1,700 

1,  407 

2.  531 

774 

1.S45 

fi33 

1.317 

480 

1,  420 

82 

94 

1,  008 

00 

70 

8,  105 

39, 547 

811 

1,031 

REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 

Approximate  Xumber  and  Catch  of  United  5<«/e»  Sealing  Fleet,  1SSG-01.. 


188B— 


City  of  San  Diogo \ 

Sylvia  Il-imly \\\  (  r.oinlcd  at  Virt.uia  . 

Vandcrhilt ^ 

About  teu  others,  witli  total  catili  of,  .say 

Total  for  1886  (thirteen  ve.ssels) 


1887— 


City  of  San  Diego ), 

Vandorbiit \\  \  Landed  at  Victoria. 

About  thirty  others,  with  total  catch  of,  say 

Total  for  1887  (thirty-two  ves.sel.s) 


287 

Skins. 
2,  fil8 

8,  noo 

11,000 

2, 187 
l.S.  .-)00 


1«.  (H)0 


1888- 


188!  t 


About  eight  vessels,  catch  iinluiown. 


Walter  L.  Rich 

San  Diego 

Venture 

Allie  Alger 

Henry  Dennis '.'.'.'.'.'.]  Landed  at  Victoria. 

Lottie 

Molly  Adams ' . 

Bessie  Rntter 

J.  H.  Lewis 

About  twenty-four  otiier  vessels,  with  total  catch  of,  say 


Total  for  1889  (thirty-three  vessels) 


5,711 


7,  fiOO 


1890— 

Mattio  Dyer 

San  Diogo 

Geo.  A.  White .'.V, 

Henry  Dennis 

Venture 

About  seven  others,  with  totarcatch  of,  say 


•Landed  at  Victoria  3  hq 

8,000 


Total  for  1890  (twelve  vessels). 


11,000 


213 


Appendix  (G). 

M;.scKi,r..\NKoi:.s  Taiu.e.s. 


^"  ^LoXn.^"'"'  ^^"""'^'^  ^"'  ^^'''^^''  ^"'^"'^  Vnr.^^-A\  Skins  at  Public  Auction  in 
2.  St.ateuiont  of  Fur-Seal  Skins  obtained  in  trade  from  Tn.lians  bv  the  Hudson  H.v 

'/■  ul'!"**  taken  for  .Shipniput  from  Commaii(ier  Islands,  18()2  to  18'tl 

L!rfonc.*M,^\""''"'^''''^  ^'''"'  ^''"'"  ^"^"*  ^'''""^"'  «<>">'»»"i<'ated  by  Mr.  Alfred 
^"  ^'iilia  Col"'"  "'  ^'"'■-'=^"'*^  «^^'"»  i"  L"»^l""  Market,  from  Messrs.  C.  M.  Lampson 


w 


m. 


288 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


1. — Average  Prices  realized  for  Alanka  Salted  Fur-Seal  Shiim  at  I'lihlic  Auciion  in  London, 
fiirninhcd  by  the  Hudson  liai)  ('onijianjl. 


Year. 

SkiiKs. 

1871 

104,  Hit!) 

1H72 

96  2811 

]H7:t 

103  724 

1H74 

99  15U 

]  «7r) 

99  h;i4 

9(1  "TO 

1S77 .      ... 

751410 

1H7H 

99  911 

187!t 

1(1(1  o:i6 

ISSO 

KH)  nil 

\m\    - 

99,  921 

Price. 


(1. 


Yrnr. 


Skins. 


I'lice. 


44 

10 

r)2 

0 

52 

0 

r,o 

9 

;i4 

4 

:i9 

11 

(i9 

2 

84 

9 

91 

5 

79 

9 

1882. 
188^1. 
1884. 
188,'). 
188l>. 
1887. 
1888. 
1889. 
1890. 
1891. 


s. 

d. 

10(1.  1(10 

53 

7 

7."..  914 

82 

9 

99.  994 

51 

» 

99.  874 

57 

7 

99,  947 

09 

3 

99.919 

5fi 

0 

1011,  (i:)7 

77 

n 

Kni.  mil 

tifi 

11 

2(1,  994 

140 

6 

i;i,  494 

125 

4 

^^|^■.— I'ri'viuus  to  1871   fur-senl  skins  wero  sold  iiriviiloly,  iiud  it  in  iiii|i(i88ibl<' to  obtain  correct 
avcra;;!'  iiriccw. 

2. — Statement  of  Fur-Seal  Skina  obtained  in  Trade  from  Indians  by  the  Hndson  Bay  Com- 
pany iin  the  ('(laxt  of  lirilish  Colnmbia  between  Port  Simpnon  and  the  Xorthern  End  of 
Vancouver  Island,  lS-'i.'-UU. 


Tear. 


Number  of 

Skins 
obtained. 


1R'>2. 

18.-.:!. 

18.->l. 
18.'>5. 
1S,-|(!. 
18r.7. 
1, ■<.">«. 
18.V.). 
18(ill. 
IhCil. 
lS(i2. 

i8(i;). 

1804. 

18(M. 

18110. 
18(!7.. 

i.-^oa. 

l.X(i9. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 


5 
11 

e 

32 

65 

28 

99 

187 

62 

71 

398 

509 

.521 

243 

381 

708 

307 

43(1 

4, 080 

8,911 

1,  ;i30 

1,229 


Yenr. 


1874 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 

1882 

1883 

1884 

1885 

1880 

1887 

18S8 

1889 

1890 

Total  nnmbcr  obtained  in  39 
voais  

Axini;;!'  iKinilicr  obtainrd  cacli 
vear 


Niinil)prof 

Skins 
obtained. 


1,873 

1,033 

1,515 

1,  210 

1,514 

1,  257 

1,418 

1 ,  882 

3,551 

5.57 

471 

Its 

1,  545 

102 

640 

281) 

228 


39, 024 
1,117 


n  in  London, 


I'rice, 


I 


100 
ill  4 
!)'.)4 

K74 
1147 
!M!t 

(i;i7 

(131 
!(!)4 
4!M 


53 
H2 
51 
57 
0I» 
5(i 
77 
(ifi 
140 
125 


d. 
7 
0 
0 
7 
3 
0 
U 
11 
6 
4 


obtiiiu  correct 


on  liaii  f'om- 
llivin  knd  of 


Ndiiihprof 

Skins 
obtained. 


1,873 

1,033 

1,515 

1,210 

1,  544 

1,  257 

1,418 

1,88'i 

3,  551 

5.57 

471 

1(5 

1,  545 

102 

646 

289 

228 


39,  024 
1,117 


214 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS.  289 

3. — Skina  ialen  for  Shipment  from  Commander  Island$,  1862-91, 


Notea. 

Year. 

Number. 

1 

1  1862 

4,000 
4,500 
5,000 
4,000 
4,000 
4,000 
12, 000 
21,000 

lS(i3 

Only  grey  pups  killed 

18i!4 

],>.(i:i* 

l,K(i(i    

1867 

18(18 

IMtl!) 

Alaska  Commercial  Company's  first 
terni  licfian. 

1870 

27,  500 
3,412 

29,318 
30,396 
31,272 

Elliott  makes  catch  3,014,  but  this 
doabtless  a  mistake. 

1871 

1872 

1873 

Stopped  killing  paps  for  food 

1874 

1875 

36,  274 
20,  !I60 
21,5;i2 
31,340 

42,  752 
48,  504 

43,  522 
44,620 
28,  096 
52,  052 
41,737 
44, 500 
4(i,  754 

1870 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1881) 

1881   

18S2 

1X83 

18K4 

IMS.")    

AnnroTimate  esHmate  ............... 

1886 

Approximate  estimate  ............... 

1S88 

45  Olio  ] 

1889 

55  493  ' 

1890 

55,727 
27,467  ; 

End    of  Alaska   Commorcial   Com- 
pany's lease. 

1891 

Total  . . . 

1 872, 408  1 

Kotea. 


Including  Robben  Island. 


Withont     Rnhben     Island,     from 
wliich  no  skins  were  taken. 

Including  1,453  taken  on  IJobbcn 
l.sl;ind. 

Ini  hiding  500  taken  on  Robben  Is- 
land. 


•1865  to  1891  from  otTioial  figures  obtained  by  us  on  Coiiimnndor  Islands. 

t  The  skins  olituimd  by  raiders  ii])on  licdibeu  Island  and  on  tlieConiiiiandcr  Islands  are  not  included 
in  the  figures  al)ove  given,  wblch  merely  repreiout  tlie  annual  catch  as  oUicially  recorded. 

Notes  on  the  Killing  of  Fur-Seala  on  the  Commander  Islands. 

The  facts  available  for  the  earlier  years  after  the  discovery  of  these  islands  are 
very  iiic()uij)lete,  hut  the  following  notes  may  bo  cited: 

In  1751-53,  .lufjot,  among  skins  brought  from  Hehring  Islimd,  liad  2,212  fiir-seiil 
skins,  and  in  1752  and  17513  tho  crow  of  a  vcssol  belonging  to  'rra])eznikoff,  an 
Irkutsk  merchant,  took  2,500  fnr-.scal  skins  on  the  same  itslaiid.  ("Neiit!  N'achrich- 
ton  von  dcnen  Ncuentdecken  Insiiin,"  quoted  by  NordeiLskiiild,  in  "  Voyage  of  the 
Vega,"  vol.  ii,  p.  270.) 

Returns  of  lurgoes  of  skins  from  the  Commander  Islands,  quoted  by  Bancroft 
(Bancroft's  Works,  vol.  xxxiii,  pp.  111-191),  show  that  between  1752  aiKl  17><t5  (tho 
last  year  not  inclinled)  at  least  !)3,708  skins  \vt!r(i  shipjied.  Most  of  these  were 
obtained  from  the  Commander  Islands,  upon  which  alone  the  actn.il  kiliiiin doubtless 
exceeded  this  figure,  probably  very  <onsiderably.  It  was  not  till  18^ti  that  the  lirst 
skins  were  taken  on  the  PribylotV  Islands. 

Elliott  states  that  he  believes  tluie  was  an  interregnum  between  1760  and  nhfi, 
during  whicli  the  fur-seals  were  driven  from  tho  t'()mmanii(^r  Islands,  and  no  skins 
were  taken  ((.^«'nsus  Ki'port,  p.  10!t).  This  is,  however,  mimift'stly  an  error,  in  vi«!w 
of  the  statements  of  individual  cargoes  uptni  which  th(<  aldivo  total  aiiinKiit  is  based, 
and  from  which  it  wniild  appear  that  the  Commander  Jslaiids  never  cfascd  to  jiro- 
duce  ii  certain  niimlicr  of  skiii.s.  Elliott  furlher  states  that  he  does  not  1-;mow  wln-n 
the  seals  returned,  but  is  "  inclined  to  believe"  that  they  did  not  ve:()>pi'ar  in  any 
considerable  number  till  1S37  or  1H:}8.  In  18(57  the  ifiissians  did  not  think  tliat  more 
than  20,000  skins  could  be  secured  on  tho  Commander  Islamls  annually.  Sine-  ih(i7 
(tol880)thecai)acity  of  the  Commander  Islands  gradually  incrc^ased  from  alioiit  15,ihnj 
to  50,000  skins  per  annnni,  doubtless  because  of  tho  careful  luauagemi-nL  of  the 
industry  on  these  islands.     (Census  Report,  p.  lO'J.) 


B  S,  PT   VI- 


-19 


290 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


215      4. — Shipment  of  Fur-Seal  Skins  from  Lohos  Islands,  communicated  by  Mr,  Alfred 

f.afone,  M.  F, 


Tear. 

a 

• 

S 
1/3 

i 

a 

■cPn 
1^ 

m 
1 

M 

H 

1 

0 

M 

•Si 
•Sh 

Total. 

1887 

256 
301 
155 
175 
224 

163 
2.'>5 
1.34 
175 
11.5 

1,54 
654 
266 
403 
867 

558 
1,489 
741 
968 
69 1 

1,195 
1,660 
1,651 
1,084 
1,093 

5,660 

7,  088 
5, 955 
5,901 
6,  333 

6,488 
5,915 
3,618 
4,898 
3,  400 

■■■93' 

344 

333 

488 

502 

10 

21 

23 
106 

14,849 
17,718 

l"!  "MIS 

1888 

1889 

189U 

95  :     14,244 
40        12  776 

1891 

Totals  . . . 

1,101 

842 

2,  344 

4,450 

6,683 

30, 937 

24,319 

93 

1,677 

285  1     72,789 

Total  Catch  of  Salted  Lohos  Island  Seal  Skins,  1876-91,  communicated  by  Mr.  Alfred 

La f one,  M.  P. 


Year. 

Skins. 

Year. 

Skins. 

J876     

11, 3.53 

13,  066 
12,301 

12,  295 

14.  865 

13,  ,508 
13,  200 
12,  422 

1884 

14  580 

1S77                  

1S85 

10,  862 
14, 986 
14, 849 
17,718 
13  205 

1 878  

J886 

]fl7!l  

1887 

1(<K0     

1888 

IHSl       

1H8'.) 

IH.^2 

1890 

14, 241 

1883 

1891 

12,776 

5. — Particulars  of  je'ur-Seal  Skins  in  London  Market,  from  Messrs.  C.  M.  Lampson  and  Co. 

(34,  Queen  Street,  London,  May  2S,  1S9S. 

Deau  Sir:  We  have  the  pleasure  to  incloKo  herewith  particulars  of  fur-8oal  skins 
j,ol<l  ill  Loudon,  for  which  you  asked  us  when  we  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
here. 

We  are,  &o. 

(Signed)  C.  M.  Lampson  and  Co. 

Sir  Geokge  Baden-Powell,  K.  C.  M.  G.,  M.  P.,  &c., 

S,  St.  George's  Place. 

(A.) — Salted  Lobos  Island  Fur-Seal  Skins  sold  in  London. 


Year. 

Skins. 

Year. 

Skins. 

1 S73              

6,956 
8,  Sno 
8,179 

11,  3.53 
13,(66 
12,3111 

12,  205 
14,  865 

13,  561) 
13,  2(l(t 
12,  861 

1884 

16, 258 
10, 953 
13,667 
11,068 

1,S74 

IH,^) 

1  ST.'i         

1886 

1 H76       

1887 

1,477 

1888 

20, 747 

1  (J7«  

1889 

8,755 

1K71)       

1800 

18,541 
15, 834 

l.SHII                       

1891      

1S81 

1892  (to  date) 

4,800 

18.V 

Total 

1883 

247,777 

•^ 


Mr.  Alfred 


h 

O 

«■? 

ToUl. 

n,« 

pH 

» 

21 

14,849 

23 

17,718 

106 

'     13,205 

95 

14,244 

40 

12,776 

285 

I     72,789 

Mr 

.  Alfred 

Skins. 

14,580 



10,  862 



14,986 

14,849 



17,718 

13,205 

.... 

14,241 

12,776 

•paon  and  Co. 

y  2S,  1892. 
-8oal  Hkins 
seeing  you 


AND   Co. 


Skins. 

16,258 

10, 953 

13, 667 

11,068 

20, 747 

H,  755 

18,541 

15,834 

4,800 

.... 

247, 777 

216 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 

(B.) — SaJfs  of  Cape  Horn  iiulird  Fur-i'inl  .S'Ajh«. 


291 


Year. 

SkiuB. 

Year. 

Skins. 

1876 

6,306  : 

7,6:il 

8.227 

12,  180 
17,  562 

13,  104 
11,711 

4.6^5 
6,743  1 
3,404 

1886 

909 

1877 

1887 

2, 762 
4  403 

1878  

1888 

1  H7i»  

1889 

3  021 

1  s  80 

1890 

2,  4")0 

1881 

1891 

3  114 

\XH'l 

1892  (to date) • 

3  966 

1  S.<3 

Total 

]  884 

1 1 2, 208 

1885 

(C  1.) — Salted  Xorth-weat  Coast  Fur-Seal  Skins  aold  in  London  prior  to  Pelagic  Sealing 

in  Behring  Sea. 


Tear. 

Skins. 

Year. 

Skins. 

1872  

1,029 

1880  

8,939 

9,  997 

11,727 

1S73   

1881                

1874 

4,949 
1,646 
2,012  ; 

1 8 ,--  2 

1875 

lasi! 

2, 319 

1870     

1S84 

9,  242 

1877 

Total 

1878 

264 
12,212 

64,360 

1879 

(0  2.) — Salted  North-wvHt  Coaxt  Fur-Seal  Skinti  dressed  and  di/ed  in  London  (but  not  aold 
there)  taken  prior  to  I'dafjic  Sealing  in  Behring  Sea. 


Tear. 

Skins. 

Tear. 

Skins. 

1872 

690 

40 

122 

678 

1,002 

772 

2, 4:14 

2, 307 

1880 

4,562 
5  8:10 

1,S73     

1 88 1   

1H74     

1 88"     

11    159 

]  87.5 

Ih83 

6,  385 

1 870 

lbo4 

10, 115 

1877     

Total 

1878 

40, 215 

1879 

(C  3.) — Dry  Korth-weal  Coast  Fur-Seal  Skina  8o)d  in  London  prior  to  I'elagio  Sealing  in 

Behring  Sea. 


Year. 

Skins. 

Ttur. 

Skins. 

1868 

2,141 

1,  071 
684 

12.  405 

14,  .">84 

,-!ll 

2,  772 

1,  :i5i 

00,t 
1,173 

1878  

912 

]  HO!)          

1 870     

918 

1870 

1880 

1871 

1 ,» s  1 

686 

1872 

].-.>' 

321 

1873              

Iss.i     

300 

1874 

18d4 

785 

1 875 

Total 

187(i         

42, 707 

1877 

Of  the  skin.s  sold  In  1871  and  1872,  a  very  lar^o  proportion  were  the  aciiiniiilation  of  the  Kussian- 
Anieriuau  Cuiupany,  and  .sold  by  tliuui  alter  the  purchas>e  of  Ala.'ika  by  the  United  Status. 

Recapitulation. 

Salted  fur-seal  skins  sold  in  London,  1872-84 61,366 

"  "  dressed  and  dyed  in  London,  1872-84 46,1*15 

Dry  fur-seal  skins  sold  iu  London,  1868-84 42,767 

Grand  total 153,348 


ii 


292 


REPORT   OP    BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


217      (C  4.) — Dry  Xorth-tveHt  Coast  Fiir-Sinl  Slhit  soldin  London  uj  ut  eommeneement 

of  Pelagic  Sealing  in  lidiring  Sea. 


Year. 

Skim. 

Year. 

Skins. 

1KR5 

1,520 

!I7!1 
2,8!:i 
1,-J'i2 

1800. 
1H91. 

690 

iitHI't 

i,08:i 

]t<«7 

Total.. 

IHSH 

8,604 

1889 

Salted  Norlh-wesl  Coast   Fiir-Scal  Skina  dresned  and  di/ed  in  London  (hut  not  sold  thet'e) 
taken  after  vommentement  of  Pelagic  Sealing  in  llehring  Sea. 


Year. 

Skins. 

Year. 

Skins. 

1885 

16,  007 

LI,  087 
3,  581) 

1888 

1,930 

]88B 

1889 

2,017 

1887  

Total 

39, 290 

In  addition  tn  the  above  it  is  estimated  that  from  25,000  to  30,000  skins  have  bi-rn  dressed  and  dyed 
in  the  I'nitcd  .Stutes. 

(C  5.) — Salted  North-west  Coast  Fiir-Scal  Slins  soljl  in  London  after  commencement  of 

Pelagic  Scaling  i/t  lichAng  Sea. 


Year. 

Skins. 

Year. 

Skins. 

188,5 

2,078 

]7.!tii:t 

3H.  !1(I7 
;;ii.H18 
39,563 

1800 

.'18  315 

]88()   

IHDl 

54  IHO 

18S7       

1892  (to  date)  of  catch  of  1891  ... 

'*S  "1)8 

Total 

1889 

254  Uu8 

RkCAI'ITUI.ATIOX. 

Dry  sldnB  sold  in  Loiulon,  188.">-91 8.  fifli 

Salted  .skins  dressed  and  dyed  in  London,  but  not  sold  tln'io,  lXS:)-89 Sit.  L'ilO 

"  "       "  United  Stiiles,  estimated,  l,So5-81» liO,  000 

Salted  skins  sold  in  Loudon,  1885-92 25 1, 068 


Grand  total 331,962 

(D.)— Sales  of  Alaska  Salted  I'"ur-Scal  Skins. 


Year. 

Skins. 

101,899 

itii,  283 
l(i:!,724  . 
!i;i.  IflO  1 
O'.t,  1134  ' 
(III,  27li 
7.5,410 
9!l,illl 
1011,(130 
1011,  101 
Oil,  021 

100, 100 

Year. 

Skins. 

]S71      

1883 

7,5  914 

1872     

1881 

90,  00  ^ 

1,873     

18,S5 

90  874 

] 874                 .            

18,SG 

09  047 

187,5                                     

1   1887  

99  !M!) 

187(1   

1  1888 

loo,  037 

1877       

1889 

100,  031 
20  904 

1878 

j  1800 

1879       

1801 

17  052 

1 880   

Total 

1881      

1,883.897 

18S2 

mencement 


Skins. 


099 

1,083 


8,  601 


mid  there) 


SkinH. 

— 

■ 

■  -- 

1,930 
2,017 

... 

39, 290 



- 

icd  and  dyed 


encement  of 


Skins. 


38.315 
54,  IHO 
2H.  i;'J8 


254,i/u8 


8.  CM 
3;t,  L'llO 

;>(»,  000 

25 1,  068 
331,  962 


Skins. 


7.").nu 
9!".  mit 

9'.l.  .S74 

iiil.  '.t47 

9i».  lU'.t 

HUMI37 

lOO,  o;!i 

20,  994 
17,  053 

1,883,897 


218 


REl'OUT    OF    BRITISH    COMMIS.mONERS. 
{]].)—SaleM  of  Copper  Island  Salted  Fur-Sml  Skhit. 


203 


Tear. 

8'iiua. 

22,  l;i8 
30,  3 19 

34. 479 
33, 1!W 
25,  :iH() 
18,  U,SB 

•dx.-:\r> 

38,  SKU) 
45, 209 
39,311 

36. 480 

Year. 

Skins. 

1873      

1884 

20,  075 

1 H7  1      

1 885 

48,  (I'Jlt 

1K7.-,         

1H80 

4i,7:)ii 

IKTO         

1K>7 

54,.5.-il 

)S77       

ls>^ 

40, 200 

1H7-I       

18sl» 

47,411 

l.KT!(         

\n'M 

52,  705 

IHSO          ..          ..                        

IMJl 

511,  724 

IHSI 

1892 

Tof.nl 

:iii,  080 

ISH'* 

1883     

761,219 

219  Appendix  (II). 

Affidavits  Relating  to  Pelagic  Skalino. 
Mr.  Milne  to  Mr.  Tupper. 

CUSTOM.'*,  Canada,  J'icloria,  B.  C,  Januar;/  SS,  1S92. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honour  to  Mcknowlcilffc  the  r('fi'i])t  (if  your  coMiiiiiiDication  of  the 
7th  inst;int  ii'Iiitivc  ton  juint  l.ttiT  liom  .'^ii- (it  orj^c  liinliii-l'owcll  and  J)r.  (it!oi{;eM. 
Diiw.soii,  licliiiiiif  Sea  Coiiiiiii.'^siinicis. 

I  Im'U  to  state  tliat  I  have  eiiilcavoiirod  to  supply  the  iuforniation.  .ind  lieri'with 
transmit  the  lirst  h)t  of  atlidavits  of  some  of  the  most  relinlile  of  our  sealiiiL;  men, 
and  1  am  continiiini;'  totake  all  I  can  olitMin,  whieli  will  l)e  forwarded  fiom  day  today. 

I  trn.st  the  in  format  ion  is  what  is  wanted,  as  I  have  endeavoured  to  Ira  me  tiie  <|iies- 
tioiis  so  that  the  answers  wonld  show  n  .■I'^ims  for  their  intelligent  answers  on  tlio 
three  ((uestions: 

1.  The  proportion  of  seals  lost  as  eomii.'U'ed  with  hit. 

2.  The  proportion  of  females  to  males  killed  in  tiie  ditVerent  months. 

3.  The  ahstentiou  of  Canadians  from  all  raiding,  &c. 

I  have,  &c. 

(Signed)  A.  R.  Mii.xk,  Collector. 


Depositions  taken  before  A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Customs,  Port  of  Victoria,  B.  G. 

Coreno  .Tones  Kel ley,  master  of  the  Canadian  schooner  "C.  II.  Tnjiper,"  of  Shel- 
boiirne,  Nova  Seotia,  having  heen  dnly  sworn — 

1.  Mr.  Milne.  How  many  years  have  you  heen  engaged  in  sealing.  Cai)tain  Kel- 
]eyf — A.  I  have  heen  sealing  lor  two  years  as  master  of  the  "C.  11.  Tupper." 

2.  Q.  Have  your  voyages  l)eeii  reasonably  fortunate,  in  comi)arisun  with  those  of 
other  vessels? — A.  Aliout  an  .average. 

3.  Q.  Have  yon  gime  south  of  Capo  Flattery  in  hunt  for  seals? — A.  Yes,  Sir;  and 
have  followed  the  seals  .all  along  the  coasts  of  British  Colnmhia  to  Heluing  Sea. 

4.  Q.  1  lining  last  year,  to  your  ol)8er\  iitiiui,  weie  the  seals  as  i)lentilul  I'mm  the 
coast  of  Shuniagin  Islands  as  they  were  the  pru\  ions  year? — A.  I  think  there  was 
no  material  dill'erenee. 

5.  C^.  Did  the  seals  last  year  ai)|iear  to  he  frightened  or  inore  timorous  than  in  pre- 
vious years  on  account  of  the  number  of  vessels? — A.  I  observed  no  material  ditl'er- 
ence. 

6.  Q.  In  shooting  seals,  what  is  your  experience? — A.  My  experience  is  that  unless 
a  seal  is  mortally  wounded — hit  in  a  vital  sjxit — it  is  i)ra<tieally  uninjured,  ami 
apjiears  to  be  as  full  of  vitality  a.s  before  it  was  shot.  The  shot-wounds  will  rapidly 
close  up,  if  not  made  in  a\  ilal  ]tart,  and  the  seal  will  swim  away  as  though  nothing 
had  ha])pened.  The  llow  of  Mood  stops  very  quickly,  and  the  seal  nu)ves  oti  at  a  very 
ra])iil  rate  I  picked  shot  from  the  bodies  of  si^als,  jjreviously  woundeil  in  other  than 
a  vital  ]iart,  and  the  animal  in  every  other  way  ai>peared  to  l)e  in  a  h<'altliy  condition. 

7.  Q.  So  you  b(>lieve  that  a  seal  when  shot,  if  not  mortally  woiindeil,  does  nob 
sink  or  seek  a  ]dace — a  rookery,  or  some  ]ilace  to  die? — A.  A  wounded  seal  will  not 
alter  its  course  in  the  slightest.  It  will  go  along  the  same  as  before,  its  wounds  heal- 
ing rapidly,  very  rapidly,  too.  It  is  astonishing  how  quickly  such  wounds  will  heal. 
I  ouoe  shot  a  aeal  which  had  been  speared  by  Indians,  and  the  spear  had  mad«)  an 


w 


294 


RF:P0RT   of    BHTTISn   COMMISSIONERS. 


•:■  y 


appsironfly  iiiortiil  womid.  TIhic  was  .i  nit,  alioiit  LM  l)y  H  inclics  a  liHlo  nliovo  tlie 
Hide  iM'liiiiil  the  tli|)])t>r.  Tliis  woi.'.it  ii]i|M','ir<>(1  to  liiivc  jx't'ii  iii:iiln  alioiit  llircc  <layH 
pn.'vidiiHly,  aiHl  in  tliiit  tiino  it  iiiiil  Ik'hItiI  iiiiH'-iin-iiii'li  iill  i'<iiiiiil. 

8.  i),.  Aro  tiicre  iiiorw  si'alH  shot  Hlcc|)iii}^  tliiiii  in  motion  i — A.  J  siioiilil  hmv  that  tho 
lain*'!'  proportion  of  HcalH  aro  Hliot  wluist  Hlmpin^,  tliat  iH,  a«  far  as  my  own  cxpo- 
ri«'n<'o  frocH. 

!t.  <,>.  What  do  yoti  consider  the  vital  part  of  a  Hoal?  Wlioro  do  th<i  hnntors  aim 
for  Kciiprally — tho  hcail  or  tho  lioartf — A.  It  dc]tnnd«  lai-fjcly  upon  thu  jiosition  of  tho 
seal.  'I'll)!  vital  parts  arc  in  tlio  lit-ad,  in  tht;  vicinity  of  tlio  licart,  ami,  it  a  seal  in 
shot  HO  as  to  bh'fd  intiriiiilly,  the  ImiittTH  are  sure  of  securing  it.  Tho  hiiid  is  th(> 
URual  niaik. 

10.  (}.  VVliat  is  nsiially  a  Rafo  sliootinp  distancnf — A.  It  (Iojx'ikIs  jar^joly  upon  tlifi 
circiiniHtanccN  of  thc^  caso.  Sctmcwhcrc  between  10  and  .'{()  yards  would  he  aliont  tlie 
distance.  I  should  say  tliat  it  is  tho  averaj;ti  witli  slei|)in;;  or  tiavellJM;;  seals.  Tim 
sleeping;  seal  is  often  approacli(;d  to  within  even  less  tlian  10  yards,  but  the  avcraj^o 
iH  from  10  to  'JO  yards  for  slee]dn;;  seal,  and  from  10  to  l>0  yards  for  travelI<Ts, 

11.  t^.  Tho  seal  is  very  sensitive,  is  it  not? — A.  Yes;  wo  have  to  api)roaeh  them 
from  the  leeward  alw.-iys.     Their  souse  of  Himdl  is  very  acute. 

12.  Q.  Do  tho  seals  >;enerally  tnivol  I'ar  when  woumltMlf — A,  That  will  depend 
upon  where  it  is  woumled.  If  it  is  vitally  wounded  in  the  head,  it  will  hanlly  move 
from  its  position,  for  it  is  likely  to  die  ri^Iit  there,  but  it  will  not  sink.  This  is 
from  my  own  observation.  There  is  only  oneway  that  :i  seal  will  sink  after  boinj; 
shot,  that  is,  when  it  is  shot  in  such  a  niauner  as  to  lie  thrown  backwards,  sinking 
tail  iirst,  thus  allowing  the  air  to  escape  otitof  its  mouth.  I  mij;htsay,  further,  that 
I  Lave  never  seen  a  seal  sink  which  was  shot  while  siccpinj;-. 

VS.  Q.  Will  yon  state  the  proportion  of  seals  lost  as  com]iared  with  those  hit  in 
sealing? — A.  My  own  jiersoual  exjierience  duiinjj  the  ]iaHt  ^,wo  years  is  that 
220  my  loss  by  seals  sinkin<j;  would  not  averages  ',i  per  cent.  During  the  last  year 
(18!(1)  I  actually  lost  only  two  seals  out  of  seventy -80V(;n — that  is,  1  shot  sev- 
enty-nine, and  secured  sevetity-seven, 

II.  (),.  In  huntin;;  seals,  what  is  the  direction  in  which  they  usually  travelt — A. 
In  the  spring  nu)nths  they  are  leisurely  travelling  towards  the  north,  when  they 
change  their  position. 

15,  l^.  In  hunting  seals,  have  you  ever  mot  with  pujis  in  the  waterT — A.  Not  gen- 
erally;  but  during  the  season  of  1890,  while  off  Middleton  Island,  tho  hunters  reported 
seeing  two  seal  pups,  probably  a  week  old,  but  they  aiipeared  to  be  only  just  born. 

1(».  (.).  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  i)roportion  of  males  to  females  killed  during 
the  hunting  season?  Are  there  any  months  in  the  year  when  there  are  more 
females  than  males  killed? — A.  It  depends  upon  circumstances.  My  experience  is 
that  grou]is  of  bachelor  bulls  will  travel  together,  and  soiiu'tinics  groups  of  females, 
iucbnling  barren  cows,  will  travel  together,  and  again  groups  of  yearlingpu])s  appar- 
ently travel  together.  That  is  my  experience,  and  tho  experience  of  a  number  of 
others.  The  catch  of  any  siliooner  coming  into  contact  with  groups  of  bulls,  or  of 
femtales,  would  be  no  criterion  of  tho  catch  of  other  schooners  as  regards  the  number 
of  females.  In  the  year  IXHO,  while  in  Hohring  Sea.  one  day  wo  took  seventy-live 
seals,  and  the  next  <iay  we  took  eighty,  and  in  the  whole  of  that  number  I  observed 
only  one  female,  am'.  I...  iiunters  particularly  informed  nie  that  they  did  not  see  ari  ^ 
female  seals  at  all;  that  they  were  all  vigorous  young  bulls, 

17.  Q.  Would  anything  leadyou  to  think,  Captain  Kelley,  that  there  is  a  likelihood 
of  more  females  than  males  being  killed  between  here  and  .Shumagin  Islands?  That 
is,  from  .lanuary  to  June? — A,  I  can  safely  say  that  my  personal  experience  has  been 
on  the  side  of  the  males,  largely — Ijoth  on  the  coast  and  in  the  Behring  Sea  tho  num- 
ber of  seals  caught  is  made  ii])  largely  of  males, 

18.  Q.  Are  there  any  mouths  ol  the  year  during  which  there  aro  more  females 
caught  than  males? — A.  I  should  say  that,  as  far  as  my  own  observation  has  gone, 
there  is  no  difference;  hut  in  every  month,  during  ray  voyages,  I  have  had  more  males 
than  females. 

19.  Q,  Do  you  know  of  any  Canadian  vessels  who  have  raided  the  seal  islands 
during  any  year  in  which  you  have  been  engaged  in  the  sealing  industry  t— A,  Ihavo 
every  reason  to  believe  that  none  of  the  ('anadian  fleet  have  ever  raided,  or  attempted 
to  raid,  or  made  any  preparations  to  raid,  any  seal  islands  in  the  Hehring  Sea.  If 
any  such  a  thing  had  hai>i>ened,  I  should  most  certainly  have  heard  of  it,  and  I 
heiieve  it  to  be  true  that  the  American  schooners  "George  1i.  White"  and  "Daniel 
Webster"  did  raid  these  islands,  as  also  the  ".Mollio  Adams."  That  they  did  raid 
the  se;il  islands  is  a  fact  well  known  to  all  C'anadiaTi  sealers.  I  also  heard  th.at  the 
German  schooner  "  AdMo"  raided  the  Pribyloli'  Islands,  which  action  met  with  the 
strong  disapprobation  of  every  C'anadian  sealer. 

(Signed)  C.  J.  Kellky. 

Sworn  to  at  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  this  22nd  day  of  .January,  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  11.  Milne,  Collector  of  Cusiom$. 


Hn  !»l)OVo  the 
1 1  Ihn-f  <layH 

Hiiv  I  hilt  tho 
iiy  own  exjio- 

:  liiiiitors  aim 
DHition  of  tho 
1,  if  a  seal  is 
n  head  \n  tiio 

;ply  upon  thn 
he  ahoiit  Mi<! 
j;  sciils.  Tlio 
t  tiie  avora;;o 
ellt'Ts. 
>proach  them 

,  will  (lepontl 
hardly  tiiovo 
link.  This  is 
k  afttr  Itoiiij; 
ardH,  Hiiikin){ 
,  fiirthur,  that 

I  thoNe  hit  in 
yoars  is  that 
tho  hiHt  yo;ir 
is,  1  shot  8C\  - 

ly  travel  t — A. 
li,  when   they 

—A.  Not  gen- 
nttTs  reported 
k'.jiist  horn, 
killed  diirinj; 
ere  are  more 
experience  is 
ps  of  females, 
If; pups  appar- 
■  a  nuiiibor  of 
jf  bulls,  or  of 
ds  the  uumlxT 
seventy-five 
ler  I  ohsorved 
.d  not  see  aii ' 

is  a  likelihood 

Mandsf     That 

ience  has  1)eeii 

Sea  tho  nnni- 

moro  females 
ion  has  gone, 
ad  more  males 

e  seal  islands 

yt— A.  I  have 

I,  or  attempted 

liring  Sea.     If 

d  of  it,  and  I 

and  "  Daniel 

they  did  raid 

eard  that  the 

met  with  the 

J.  Kellky. 

892. 

•  of  CusiOTM. 


REPORT    OP    HUrriSH    COMMISSIONERS.  295 

Before  A.  li.  Mitiie,  CoUecJor  of  CiihIoihs,  Virtoria,  B.  C,  Jnnunrij  2S,  1SD2. 

('a))taiii  William  I'etit,  present  master  and  i)art  owner  of  tiie  steamer  ''Mischief," 
]ia\  in<r  heen  Nworii : 

1.  C^.  (Mr.  .Wi7»(c.)— (Japtain  Petit,  how  many  years  have  you  been  engage<l  in  seal- 
ing; f — A.  Six  years,  Sir. 

2.  C^.  C'ontinnoii.sly. — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

3.  tj!.  What  vessels  did  you  c<»mmandt — A.  In  ISHfJ  I  commanded  the  "  W.  V.  Say- 
ward,"  in  1W7  tlie  steamer  "(irace,"  in  1888  tho  schooner  "Sapithire,"  an<l  in  18H1I, 
IWK),  and  IHitl  the  ''Mary  Taylor." 

4.  (}.  Have  your  catches  during  theses  six  years  been  reasonably  successful  in  com- 
]iarisou  with  other  vesselsf — A.  About  an  avera^^e. 

5.  t^.  You  have  sealed  south  of  (Jape  Flattery,  liaveyou  not,  and  followed  the  seiils 
alony  the  coast  of  Itrilish  Columbia  and  into  liehrin^r  Sea? — A.   Yes. 

.'>".  if.  I lurinji  last  year,  to  your  observation,  wore  the  seals  ajijjarently  as  plenti- 
ful from  the  coast  to  Shuma;;in  Islands  as  they  wtsre  in  pi'evioiis  \cars? — A.  I  found 
tliem  more  plentiliil  last  year  than  I  have  any  year  since  !88(!,  that  is,  (Jape  Flattery 
north. 

0.  (^.  How  did  you  find  tliem  in  Heliriu);  S(!af — A.  I  found  tlieni  there  in  Behring 
Sea  as  i)lentifiil  as  in  former  years. 

7.  i).  Are  tlie  seals  now  more  fri^flitened  or  more  timorous  than  they  havo  been  on 
account  of  more  vessels,  or  from  any  other  cause? — A.  I  havo  seen  no  material  dif- 
ference. 

8.  Q.  In  shootinj;  seals,  what  is  your  experience? — A.  My  experience  is  tliat  unless 
a  sciil  is  mortally  woundtMl — hit  in  tho  head  or  in  the  region  of  the  heart — tlie  shot 
does  notaj)pear  to  injure  it. 

!(.  (i.  Do  you  lielieve  that  a  seal,  when  shot,  and  not  mortally  wountled.  does  not 
sink,  or  S(;eks  sonu;  jtlacci  to  die — a  rcxdvcry,  or  some  such  place? — .\.  No,  Sir;  a 
wounded  seal  will  not  alter  its  course  in  the  slightest.  It  will  move  along  as  before, 
its  wound  healing  ra))idly. 

10.  (I.  What  do  you  consider  the  vital  part  of  a  seal?  Where  do  the  hnnters  gen- 
erally aim  for? — A.  For  tho  head  or  the  heart;  it  depends  upon  tho  position  of  the 
seal,  lint  usually  the  head. 

11.  C^.  What  is  the  distance  at  which  you  shoot  seals? — A.  It  depends  upon  cir- 
cunistanccs. 

12.  C^.  Are  more  seals  shot  while  shicping  than  in  motion? — A.  There  are  more  shot 
slec))ing.  Sir.  It  is  my  opinion  thiit  tlie  larger  pro])ortion  of  seals  are  shot  while 
Hleejting.     The  seals  taken  by  the  Indians  are  nearly  all  killed  while  sleei»ing. 

13.  (j.  What  is  the  shooting  distance? — A.  It  depends  upon  circumstances;  10  to 20 
yards  for  sleejters,  and  a  little  more,  10  to  30  yards,  for  tr.avellers. 

221  1  i.  Q.  You  have  seen  the  hunters  and  Indians  approach  even  nearer  than  10 

yards,  have  you? — A.  Yes,  I  have  seen  them  approach  to  within  less  than  10 
feet. 

1.5.  Q.  When  seals  are  vitally  wounded,  say  in  the  head,  will  they  move  far  from 
the  position  in  which  they  are  shot. — A.  No,  Sir. 

1().  Q.  They  are  likely  to  die  right  there,  are  they? — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

17.  (j.  And  they  will  not  sink? — A.  With  few  excejitions,  such  as  when  a  seal  is 
shot  and  thrown  backwards,  thus  allowing  the  air  to  escr.'ipe  out  of  its  mouth. 

18.  y.  Will  you  state  your  (i]>inion,  Captain  Petit,  of  the  [iroportion  of  seal  lost 
by  sinking  after  being  shot? — A.  My  personal  exjierience  during  last  season  with 
white  hiinttu's  would  not  exceed  5  ])er  cent.,  and  with  Indians  in  former  yesirs  I 
doubt  if  it  amounts  to  even  1  per  cent.  The  reason  of  this  percentage  in  favour  of 
Indians  is  because  they  were  caught  with  a  spear,  and  consequently  couhl  not  get 
away. 

19.  Q.  Have  you  ever  seen  a  seal  shot  while  sleeping  sink. — A.  I  have  never  kuown 
0110  to  sink. 

20.  Q.  Then  you  are  clearly  of  tho  opinion  that  seals  will  not  sink  for  some  time 
unless  thrown  backwards  ? — A.  I  am.  When  they  do  sink,  even  to  10  or  15  feet,  they 
can  be  reached  with  the  gaff. 

21.  Q.  When  the  hunters  return  to  the  vessel  at  night,  do  they  usually  discuss 
their  day's  proceedings,  and  particularly  men*". ..  the  loss  of  seals,  when  such  loss 
occurs? — A.  Yes. 

22.  Q.  Then,  Captain  Petit,  yon  conscientiously  adhere  to  the  statement  that  the 
loss  by  sinking  of  seals  hit  will  not  exceed  5  per  cent.  ? — A.  I  certainly  do ;  but  there 
are  seals  hit  and  not  mortally  wounded,  and  these  escape,  but  they  are  not  "lost,"  as 
they  are  quite  as  vigorous  as  before,  because  their  wounds  heal  very  rapidly.  I  have 
often  found  shot  in  the  skin. 

23.  Q.  What  is  your  ojiinion  of  tho  proportion  of  females  to  males  killed  during 
the  last  hunting  season  ? — A.  Last  year,  out  of  my  catch  of  7(55, 1  had  only  18  females 
carrying  young— not  quite  2^  per  cent.    Of  course,  as  in  other  seasons'  catches, 


296 


REPOflT    OK    HUITI-H    Tf (MMIS.SIONKRS. 


I  don't  think  tliiit  !i  seal  will 
It  is  iiiulcrstood  to  be  t'h^vcn 


wo  IiikI  a  iiiiiiiImt  of  harn'ii  cowh — .ihout   tin-  iifii;il   run,  10  por  eonf.,  jiml  \2\  [pit 
cent,  of  jiiry  ]iii|i.s.     ThcHC  '^vi-y  |"i|i->  :ir<^  iiiwayn  hulls,  ami  <Wu<  vt'ar  olil. 

Ul.  t^.  Voiir  (Micli,  tlii'ii,  woiilil  Iti-  alioiit  T.'i  (tor  ci'iit.  of  iiialrn  la.>t  Mfason  f — A.  V<'.s, 
Sir;  iiirliHliiiK  tlu-  .\carliii;{.s  it  was  iiion-  than  Ti'i  |ii'i'  rent. 

2.").  t^.   Voii  ha\^ri'y  |in|isai<;  al\va>s  nialen;  will  you  rNplaiii  llii.s? — \.  'I'lic  Iiifliaus 
calli'd  my  attention  to  this  fact  yiars  ai;o,  Imt  tin-  iiason  is  not  (|uile  Known,  si  ill  ii 
IH  a  fact.     I  have  oIjhcim-iI  very  <-losc|y,  and  have  nc^cr  yet  srcn  a  funialc  ;;it'y   pup 
ono  year  old.     I  try  to  arrount  for  thiH  hj-  the  Hupjtositinn  (hat  tlu*  yi-arlinj;  nwy 
mall'  i»ui>»  ar«  drivon  early  out  of  lii-lirint;  Si-a  l>y  tin-  old  hulls. 

L'ti.  (I.  haNt  year,  diil  yon  licar.anv  n  marks  aliout  the  nuuil)er  or  propoi  lion  of  I  ho 
inah'H  to  feinaleH  eaunht  from  anyone  or  any  souici- ' — A.  Ves,  Sir;  I  heaid  tli.'it  a 
nineh  larfjer  pencnla};t!  of  ni.-iles  were  i-au^'ht  last  year  than  in  any  furiner  \i'ar. 

iJ7.  Q.  I  would  ask  you,  (Jajitain  I'etit.  if  in  any  former  years  there  was  a  similar 
preponderance,  cd'  males — do  you  rememherof  any  such  fucti — A.  Ves,  1  do.  In  ishil, 
when  oil'  Marclay  Sound,  in  one  day  we  hail  taken  101  seals,  of  which  Ii  only  were 
females.  In  the  follow iiiiC  year.  1>*>7.  when  oil' I'orfloek  Hank,  we  took  79  in  one  day, 
and  onl}'  2  feinales  wiTe  found  in  that  niimher. 

28.  Q.  How  do  Heal  cowh  travelf  .Sin;;ly  or  in  pairs? — A.  They  travel  sinj^ly  or  in 
pairM. 

29.  Q.  How  do  hulls  travfdf — A.  They  travel  in  bands,  as  do  also  the  bull  pups. 
They  travel  sin;;ly  too. 

30.  Q.  Are  fiiiiale  seals  carryiiifr  younn  very  tiniidf — A.  Yes,  Sir;  thoy  are.  They 
sink  their  bodies  so  that  nothiuir  hot  their  noses  and  eyes  are  out  of  water,  and  are 
tluTefore  smaller  marks  for  the  huuters. 

31.  Q.  Marron  cows  trav<d  with  bulls,  do  theyf — A.  Yes,  Sir;  barroii  cows  usually 
travel  with  the  bnlls. 

32.  Q.  Are  there  any  months  in  the  year  during  which  there  are  more  females  than 
males  killed  if     Any  ])articnlar  time  that  you  have  ohseived  i — A.   No.  Sir. 

33.  Q.  Is  it  your  candid  opinion  that  llieii'  are  more  harien  cows  killed  than  scal- 
heariiiR- cows^ — A.  Yes,  Sir;   I  think  there  are  more. 

34.  if.  Do  tlicse  barren  cows,  from  the  knowledge  you  have  of  seals — do  you  thiidc 
that  thoy  ever  become  bearinj^f — A.   I  think  they  do. 

'S').  (.f.  That  they  will  have  periods  of  beariiifjf — A. 
hear  before  she  is  4  years  old. 

3t).  if.  How  long  <loe8  a  seal  carry  her  yonngt — A. 
months. 

37.  Q.  Were  there  any  circumstances  occurred  to  you  upon  your  last  voyage  wliich 
would  indicate  a  marked  decrease  in  the  number  of  sitals? — A.  None  whatever.  Sir. 
On  tlie  coniiary,  Ishoiild  say  there  were  more.  There  seemed  to  be  more  last  year, 
at  least  we  saw  more  tliat  year  than  for  several  years  provionsly. 

38.  i).  In  your  observation  as  to  the  habits  of  the  seals,  they  ajipear  to  ".-o  like  the 
salmon — th.at  they  return  from  no  known  cause  in  larger  numbers  f — A.  AN  ell.  I  don't 
know,  .*Jir;  1  think  that  they  have  their  annual  migrations;  Imt  there  is  iiueslion 
whether  tliey  follow  the  same  track  every  year.  You  will  liud  them  on  some  grounds 
one  year,  and  in  other  years  on  other  grminds. 

39.  (.}.  Do  yon  think  that  the  nnieberof  female  seals  killed  in  the  hunt  is  mate- 
rially injuring  the  reproduction  of  seals? — A.  No.  Sir. 

40.  if.  Can  yini  giv«  a  reason  for  th.at T — A.  Irom  the  small  percentage  of  females 
killed,  I  don't  think  it  would  injure  n-production  in  any  way. 

41.  ii.  Were  you  in  Heliring  Sea  last  ye.ir,  and  were  you  ordered  out? — A.  And  was 
ordered  out  by  the  United  States  ship  "(,'orwin." 

222  42.  Q.  IHel'oro  l)eing  ordered  out,  what  was  yen  usual  fishing  distance  from 

landV— A.  60  to  100  miles. 

43.  (,>.  You  found  Be.als  all  along  that  dista^jce  fion,  landt — A.  Yes,  in  largo 
numbers. 

44.  (.f.  You  had  the  prospect  of  a  fair  catch? — A.  \.  i  Sir;  I  had  the  prospects  of 
u  very  fair  catcli  up  to  the  time  I  was  warned. 

4.").  Q.  You  consider  it  a  very  material  loss,  being  warned  at  the  time  out  of  liehring 
Sea? — A.  I  do,  Sir;  I  consider  it  a  very  heavy  loss. 

4t).  if.  You  still  adhere  to  the  statement  that  the  seals  between  fiO  and  100  miles 
from  land  were  as  plentiful  as  in  any  previous  years  in  your  experience? — A.  As  plen- 
tiful as  they  were  in  any  year  sini'e  1886. 

47.  <.,».  I'id  you  observe  in  your  catch  in  Behring  Sea  any  preponderance  of  fenuiles 
over  males,  or  vice  rvnid? — A.  Yes.  Sir;  the  males  were  in  excess. 

48.  (,>.  Can  you  state  from  recollection  an  average  day's  hunt  in  Behring  Seat — A. 
Forty-eight  was  about  the  largest  I  made  while  in  IJehiing  Sea. 

49.  (.).  Do  yon  remember  hearing  any  of  the  hunters  s])eak  of  losing  any  seals  by 
Binking? — A.  No,  Sir;  I  don't  remember  any  instances  of  such  loss. 

50.  Q.  Did  you  cross  from  the  Americ.-iu  side  of  the  Behring  Sea  into  the  Russian 
aidef — A.  No,  I  didn't;  I  came  straight  home  to  Victoria  through  Ounimak  Pass. 


RKPORT   OF    MRHISII    COMMISSIONERS. 


207 


Hid  12S  |ifr 

t— A.  Y.s. 

'lie  IiiiliiiiiN 
wii,  Hi  III  il 

■  KX'.v    p'lp 
irliiiK  iiwy 

tioii  of  llio 
'iird  that  ii 
r  ,\  cur. 
,H  il  Himiliir 
I).  Ill  l^x(;, 
5  (inly  wcir 
ill  one  flity, 

iiiigiy  or  ill 

bill!  ]>\[\>H. 

ari).  'I'iit'y 
tcr,  and  aio 

iws  usually 

iMuales  than 

I  than  .seal- 

()  you  think 

a  seal  will 

o  be  tdc.vrn 

yajjo  which 
laicver,  Sir. 
u  last  year, 

hn  like  the 
Veil.  I  flon't 
is  (iiicstion 
me  grounds 

nt  is  mate- 

of  females 

And  was 

ance  from 

!s,  in  largo 

irospocts  of 

of  Hehriiig 

1  100  miles 
A.  As  pleii- 

of  females 

g  Seat— A. 

ly  seals  by 

he  Russian 
.k  Pass. 


51.  Q.  During  the  year,  did  you  licir  from  any  source  that  any  Canadian  vcsMels 
had  raiflcd  the  seal  iHlandN  or  any  of  Ihcin  f  A.  No,  .'«lr:  I  never  licanl  of  uiiy  Uritish 
or  i'nuadiaii  TenselH,  not  during  the  pa.st  year,  or  any  year  I  have  been  «ngag<'d  in 
«i-aliiig. 

.">-.  V-  Captain  Petit,  do  you  l)eli(>ve  iiny  of  the  stories  tliat  are  told  alxuit  the 
"<ieo.  R.  While,"  the  "l>aiiiel  Woh.ster,"  and  the  "  Mollie  Adaiim''  raiding  these 
islandsf—  A.  Yes,  Sir;  I  bi'lie\e  those  reports. 

5!!.  y.  These  were  all  .\iueii<';in  vtssi'ln,  were  they  not  f  -  A.  Yes,  Sir. 

r>l.  C^.   IhiriuK  the  last  two  years,  it  is  reixuted  that   the  Amerienn  achooners  ".J. 
Ilaudlton    l.ewi>,"   formerly   the    Itrilish  schooner   "Aida,''   and  the   "City  of  San. 
J)iego,"  raided  the  Co)ip(  r  IsIandRY-A.   Y'ca,  Sir. 

.Vi.  y.  I'o  you  believe  that  is  triief — A.  I  do,  Sir:  and  also  in  IHSt)  or  1SH7,  the 
American  schooner  '•  l.ooU-oul  ''  raided  the  Pribylofr  IslandH,  so  that  the  history  ol' 
raiding  the  seal  islands  is  peculiarly  Aiuericau,  ami  solely  by  American  Hcho.Miers 

.")*).  y.  \Va  not  the  liritisli  scliiiouer '•  Aida'' seized  by  the  .\mcrican  <ioven:mc,it. 
and  sold f— A    Yes,  Sir.     In  1HX7.  and  reii;iincc|  the  ",I.  Mamiltoii  Lewis.'' 

57.  ().  Is  not  this  same  vessid,  the  ".J.  Hamilton  Lewis,"  the  same  ve8S(d  as  was 
s(M/ed  by  the  Russians  this  j'ear,  in  the  vicinity  of  Copper  Island  f — A.  Y'es,  Sir;  and 
served  her  right  too. 

"18.  Q.  If  any  of  the  Canadian  vessels  had  raided  either  the  American  or  Russian 
seal  islands,  your  long  oxpeiicnce  in  the  seaiint;  licet  iiere  wouhl  have  insured  your 
being  aware  of  it? — A.  Y'es,  Sir;  I  sliouhl  certainly  have  heard  of  it — learned  it  from 
hunters,  masters,  or  stuimeii.     It  wouhl  have  been  sure  to  have  leaked  out. 

.M*.  (4.  Is  it  your  ojdnion  that  ship-mast"rs  or  ship-owner."!  have  Ix-en  most  care- 
ful in  instiiuting  their  masters  or  captains  to  avoid  any  interference  whatever  with 
the  seal  islands? — .\.  I  hav(!  served  with  dillVrciit  owners,  anil  I  have  been  instructed 
to  i-arcfnlly  avoiil  ai)proa(diing  the  islands  within  the  international  limit.  In  fact, 
all  the  stealing  I  have  eonductc^d  has  been  done  outside  at  least  of  the  liO  miles  from 
land. 

Mr.  Milne. — That  will  do,  Captain  Petit.     Thank  you  very  much. 

(Signed)  William  Pktit,  Master. 

Sworn  to  before  me,  at  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  this  2.']rd  day  of  .laniiary,  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  R.  Mir.NE,  Collector  of  Cuslum$, 


Before  A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Customs,  Victoria,  B.  C,  January  2S,  1899. 

Captain  Wentworth  F.vclyn  Maker,  present  master  of  the  Canadian  si  iiooner  "C. 
II.  TujiiJer,"  and  formerly  master  of  the  schooner  "Viva,"  of  Victoria,  being  duly 
sworn: 

1.  Mr.  Milne. — How  many  years  have  you  been  engaged  in  sealing,  Captain  Bakcsr  ? — 
A.  Four  years. 

2.  il.  What  Canadian  schooners  have  you  commauded  during  those  four  year.sf — 
A.  The  schooner  "Viva." 

3.  Q.  During  the  four  years  have  you  been  more  than  reasonably  successful  as  a 
seal-hunter? — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

4.  y.  How  many  white  men  would  your  vessel  usually  carry  t — A.  Twenty-three, 
all  t<dd. 

5.  Q.  You  have  bunted  all  along  the  coast,  and  also  every  year  in  Bohring  Seaf — 
A.  Every  year  excejit  1891.  During  last  year  I  was  always  outside  of  the  line  of 
deniaication  betweeu  b'ussian  and  American  waters. 

a.  (.}.  During  last  year,  to  your  observation,  were  seals  as  plentiful  along  the  coasts 
to  Shumai>in  Islands  as  they  were  the  y(!ar  befcue?— A.  In  some  places  I  found 
them  as  ])leiitiful;  in  others  I  found  them  more  plentiful.  In  some  i)laces  where  I 
never  found  any  before  I  found  them  last  year,  and  I  found  none  where  I  had  pre- 
viously found  some. 

7.  y.  Then,  Captain  Baker,  you  think  there  is  no  material  difTereuce,  on  the  aver- 
age, during  the  four  yearsf    That  is  to  your  observation f — A.  I  should  say,  to  my 

observation,  there  was  no  material  ditfercnce. 
223  8.  Q.  Your  coast  catch  last  year  was  equal  to  that  of  former  years,  was  itt — 

A.  It  wa«  equal  to  the  first  two  years,  and  better  than  the  thiril  year  by  almost 
as  many  more  skins,  having  61)8  skins  in  1890,  and  in  1891  I  had  1,260  skins, 

9.  Q.  Owing  to  the  number  of  vessels,  do  the  seals  appear  to  be  more  timorous! — 
A.  Well,  I  did  not  find  them  so,  except  in  some  plac"3.  It  is  a  great  deal  owing  to 
the  position  in  which  you  tiiul  them.  I  (bund  that  the  nearer  the  coast  the  wilder 
they  are,  and  the  further  at.sea  you  go  they  don't  seem  to  be  any  wilder  than  pre- 
viously. I  think  that  what  makes  them  wilder  along  the  coast  is  the  increase  of 
tratEc,  steamers  and  so  on  being  very  nunieroua. 


I     ?'M! 


298 


REPORT   OF    imiTISTT    COM^SflSSIONERS. 


i    ■' i- 


10.  Q.  It  is  said  thatsoal  travel  in  groups  of  females  ami  groups  of  bachelor  bulls 
and  young  bulls — not  mixed.     Is  that  so? — A.  I  have  always  found  it  so. 

11.  Q.  So  you  think  that  tlio  number  of  male  or  female  seals  caught  wonld  depend 
entirely  u])on  the  schooner  falling  in  with  groujJH  of  males  or  fen."''jsf — A.  Entirely. 

12.  Q.  How  is  that? — A.  it  is  nnich  harder  to  keep  the  run  of  females  than  of  the 
males  or  barren  cows.  Females  Avith  young  appear  to  be  much  more  timid,  and  when 
yon  get  among  tliem  .Mil  commence  sliooting,  tliey  disappear  very  quickly,  and  show 
only  ij'j  nose  and  eyes  above  water  when  travelling,  and  do  not  expose  their  bodies 
as  much  above  the  water  as  the  bulls  and  l)arren  cows  do,  as  if  tlie  maternal  instinct 
to  preserve  their  yonng  was  apparent.  This  fact  is  well  known  to  all  seal-hunters. 
I  have  often  been  in  a  group  of  cows  with  pups  during  the  afternoon,  and  at  night 
they  would  all  disappear,  and,  apparently  from  maternal  instinct,  they  will  travel 
aw.ay  as  quickly  as  possible. 

13.  Q.  bo  you  consider  it  moredifticnlt  to  shoot  females,  so  little  exposed  as  they 
are,  than  males? — A.  It  is  decidedly  more  didicult,  particularly  on  the  coast. 

14.  Q.  Yon  have  observed  a  number  of  barren  females? — A.  Yes;  quite  a  [     ?    ]. 

15.  Q.  How  do  they  travel? — A.  Usually  by  themselves,  or  mixed  with  bulls;  I 
have  never  found  a  cow  with  pnps  among  the  bulls. 

16.  Q.  Have  you  any  idea  what  the  percentage  would  be  of  the  number  of  barren 
cows  to  the  number  of  seals  caught? — A.  I  could  not  say  exactly,  but  the  percentage 
is  consideralde. 

17.  Q.  What  is  the  accepted  theory  among  the  scalers  as  to  the  barrenness  of 
cows? — A.  I  don't  know  as  I  have  heard  of  any  theory — unless  they  are  like  other 
animals. 

18.  Q.  When  you  speak  of  barren  cows,  you  mean  those  who  have  been  more  than 
one  season  barren? — A.  Yes;  because  before  that  they  are  called  pups.  The  barren 
cows  are  those  who  are  old  enough  to  have  pups,  but  didn't. 

1!>.  (/.  You  are  quite  of  a  cleiir  ojjinion,  then,  Captain  Baker,  that  there  is  a  con- 
siderable percentage  of  barrcai  cowsf — A.   Ves,  Sir. 

20.  i),  Are  there  niori!  seals  shot  whilst  sleeping  than  in  motion?-  A.  Yes,  Sir;  my 
experience  has  been  that  there  are  more  seals  shot  whilst  sleeping,  and  that  is  the 
exjterience  of  most  of  my  hunters,  by  their  report. 

21.  Q.  Wliat  do  you  consider  the  vital  part  of  a  seal? — A.  The  head  or  the  heart, 
or  in  the  neck. 

22.  Q.  Do  yonr  hunters  prefer  to  shoot  the  seal  in  the  head? — A.  Yes,  Sir;  on 
account  of  preserving  the  skin,  and  also  tlhat,  the  moment  the  seal  is  shot  in  the  head, 
the  head  sinks  and  the  wind  cannot  escape.  Then,  if  the  seal  is  not  killed,  the  shot 
will  stun  it,  and  its  head  will  drop  below  water,  so  that  it  cannot  sink. 

23.  Q.  Wliat  is  usually  a  safe  shooting  distance? — A.  For  sleeping  seals  the  dis- 
tance would  be  about  10  yards,  and  for  travelling  seals  the  distance  would  be  about 
10  to  30  yards. 

21.  Q.  Considering  that  the  seals  are  shot  in  the  head,  and  the  greater  portion 
■whilst  slee,.'ng,  will  you  state  the  pro])ortion  of  seals  lost,  as  compared  with  those 
hit,  in  sealing? — A.  The  ])rop()rtioii  is  very  small,  because,  as  the  usual  distance  for 
shooting  is  about  10  yards  for  a  sleeping  seal,  we  most  always  kill  them  instantly, 
and  being  so  near  the  seal — even  if  they  are  inclined  to  sink — they  are  gaffed  before 
they  have  time  to  sink.  If  they  oven  did  sink  lii  feet,  say,  we  could  catch  them,  as 
when  sinking  they  go  very  slowly.  The  only  tiin(!  I  know  of  when  a  seal  is  likely 
to  sink  is  after  it  has  been  chased  around  in  the  l)oats  and  winded,  then  shot  again, 
80  as  to  be  thrown  l)a('k\var<ls,  allowing  the  wind  to  escape  from  its  mouth,  when  it 
sinks  tail  first.  F.very  boat  is  sui)plie(i  with  ii  long  pole,  about  1.5  feet,  and  a  spear 
and  galf  on  the  end,  so  that  we  can  reach  that  distiince.  It  is  very  seldom  that  a 
seal  will  get  away.  I  wonld  say,  therefort?,  from  |)ersonal  experience  that  the  per- 
centage of  loss,  as  conii)arcd  witli  those  hit  in  scaling,  would  not  exceed  3  per  cent, 
liast  year  I  kilhul,  myself,  on  the  coast,  fifty-tive  seals,  and  out  of  that  number  I 
lost  only  one  by  sinking. 

25.  Q.  As  a  general  thing,  is  the  percentage  of  loss  more  now  than  it  was  four 
years  ago,  or  is  it  smaller? — A.  Vvom  ])ersonal  t'X])erience,  I  think  about  the  same, 
and  from  the  reports  of  the  hunters  I  should  Judge  it  was  the  same,  as  they  all  report 
their  experiences  on  their  return  to  the  vessel  each  night,  and  when  a  seal  is  lost  it 
is  always  spoken  about.  P'rom  a  record  kept  by  hunters  «,  .ing  two  voyages  the 
aggregate  loss  by  each  hunter  is  shown,  and  the  percentage  is  not  greater,  on  an 
average,  than  3  per  cent. 

26.  Q.  How  many  hunters  do  you  usually  carry? — A.  Six;  and  I  hunted  myself. 
The  ship's  coin))iiny  ctni.sists  of  twenty  three  jierscns. 

27.  Q.  What  size  shot  do  you  use  in  shooting  seal? — A.  Vo.  2  buck-.diot  or  "S" 
Canadian  shot;  and  the  guns  are  of  the  very  best  maierif.i  and  very  expensive,  cost- 
ing from  70  to  100  dollars. 

28.  Q.  What  do  you  think  is  the  pr()i)orti(m  of  femiiles  to  males  in  the  number 
killed  in  the  dillereut  mouths  of  the  lishing  seasoiif— A.  I  don't  know,  1  am  sure. 


aclielor  bnlla 

vonld  depend 
-A.  Entiroly. 
i than  of  the 
lid,  and  when 
Itly,  and  show 
I  their  bodies 
crnal  instinct 
seal-hunters, 
and  at  niglit 
ly  will  travel 

losed  as  they 
coast. 

ite  a  [     f    ]. 
with  bulls;  I 

her  of  barren 
he  percentage 

barrenness  of 
are  like  other 

een  more  than 
.    The  barren 

here  is  a  con- 

.  Yes,  Sir;  my 
ad  that  is  the 

1  or  the  heart, 

L  Yes,  Sir;  on 
ot  in  the  head, 
illod,  the  shot 
k. 
seals  the  dis- 
rould  be  about 

;reator  portion 

red  with  those 

1  distance  for 

em  instantly, 

i)  Rafted  before 

catch  them,  as 

seal  is  likely 

en  shot  asain, 

louth,  when  it 

t,  and  a  spear 

seldom  that  a 

>  that  the  per- 

ed  3  per  cent. 

,hat  number  I 

iin  it  was  four 
the  same, 
thev  all  report 
seal  is  lost  it 
voyages  the 
greater,  on  an 

lunted  myself. 

L.diot  or  "  S" 
tpensive,  cost- 

tho  number 
Iw,  1  am  sure. 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


299 


It  depends  upon  circumstances.  My  experience  last  year  was  very  larpjely  on  the 
bull  side  on  the  coast;  tliat  is,  the  proportion  taken  were  largely  male  seals.  I  can 
coMsciiMitionsly  say  that  it  must  have  lieen  tlirei'  l)ulls  to  one  female,  and  I  had  a 
larger  number  of  seals  than  any  other  vessel  on  tlu;  sprinsj;  catch. 

25).  (.).  In  tlio  Behring  Sea,  to  your  observation,  wcue  tht^  males  or  ft-iiialec  in  t'le 
preponderance? — A.  My  experience  is  that  they  are  very  iviuch  as  they  are  on"  the 
coast.    Sometimes  I  would  meet  with  groups  of  all  bulls,  and  again  with  groups  of 

all  cows. 
224  30.  Q.  While  in  Behring  Sea  last  year  what  would  be  your  usual  sealing 

distance  from  the  landf — A.  I  was  not  in  Behring  Sea  last  year,  but  in  i)ro- 
vious  yeiirs  it  would  be  from  about  30  to  W)  miles  from  land.  The  usual  distance  is 
about  (50  miles.     Sometimes  we  are  inside  of  that,  somi'timcs  outside  of  it. 

31.  (^.  Last  year,  I  understand  you  to  say,  Captain  Baker,  you  were  not  in  the 
Behring  Sea  on  the  American  side f — A.  No. 

32.  ii.  Do  I  understand  you  to  s;iy  that  on  the  IJussinn  side  the  same  observations 
will  ajtply  to  the  habits  and  shooting  of  seal  as  on  the  coast  t — A.  Prer'isely  the  same 
as  to  their  grouping  and  habits. 

33.  y.  During  the  four  years  that  you  have  been  sealing.  Captain  Baker,  I  would 
like  you  to  state  explicitly  if  you  saw  or  heard  of  any  Canadian  vessels  raiding  the 
American  seal  islandsf-^A.  No,  Sir.  To  my  knowledge  I  liave  never  heard  of  any, 
and  1  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  there  has  never  been  any  Canadian  schooner 
raiding  any  of  them. 

34.  Q.  If  anything  like  this  had  happened,  you  would  have  heard  «fitf — A.  Most 
certainly  I  would  have. 

35.  Q.'  You  have  never  heard  any  information  of  any  of  our  sealers  conniving  to 
raid  the  seal  islands? — A.  I  never  «lid. 

36.  i),.  Two  years  ago  it  was  reported  that  some  American  schooners  had  raided 
seal  Islands.  Did  you  hear  such  a  report? — A.  Yes,  Sir;  1  heard  a  report  tliat  cer- 
tain' American  scliooners  had  raided  tliese  islands.  The  "Geo.  R.White,"  "D;iniel 
Webster,"  "  Mollie  Adams,"  and  for  two  yciirs  the  ".I.  Hamilton  Lewis,"  have  been 
raiding  the  Copper  Islanilson  the  Russian  side,  and  it  is  reported  that  the  American 
schooner  "City  of  San  IMego"  also  raided  the  C()i)per  Islands  last  year. 

37.  C^.  You  have  heard  of  tliefJerni.'in  scliooner  "Adele"  raiding  these  islands? — A. 
Yes;  in  1889,  with  poor  success.  These  illegal  acts  meet  with  the  strong  disappro- 
bation of  every  Canadian  sealer. 

38.  Q.  A'ld  if  Canadian  sealers  had  done  acts  of  that  kind,  yon  think  it  would 
most  certaiiiiy  have  leaked  out? — A.  It  most  certainly  would  have. 

39.  Q.  You  are  quite  satislied,  then,  that  not  a  single  Canadian  schooner  at  any 
time  has  raided  the  seal  islands? — A.  Not  to  ray  knowledge.  I  don't  know  of  one 
single  case. 

40.  Q.  What  was  your  entire  catch  last  sea,son? — A.  1,991  for  the  whole  season. 

41.  Q.  Giving  your  opinion  in  confidence,  wliat  is  your  opinion  of  tlie  seals  on  the 
coast  and  in  Beliring  Sea?  Are  tliey  decreasing  or  increasing? — A.  From  my  expe- 
rience, I  have  not  seen  aTiy  decrease,  but  I  have  noticed  also  that  they  change  their 
grounds  from  time  to  time,  and  wliere  you  tlnd  them  this  year  you  may  n'>t  lind 
tliem  the  next.  Tliis  was  "ery  rcnuukable  during  the  yeiir  18iM),  for  the  seals  were 
all  found  to  lie  eastward  of  Pribylotf  Ishinds,  while  in  former  years  they  were  found 
to  the  westward. 

42.  Q.  When  did  you  find  them  to  '  lo  eastward  of  St.  Paul's  Island?  I  understand 
you  to  say  that  you  found  them  very  -  umcrous? — A.  More  sotlian  I  ever  did  before. 

43.  C^.  Have  you  any  opinion  to  ol^or  is  to  the  return  of  the  seals  to  the  coast  last 
year? — A.  I  have  no  direct  opinn/n,  but  certainly  the  seals  were  more  plentiful  on 
the  northern  coast  last  year  tiian  the  previous  years. 

(Signed)  W.  E.  Bakek,  Matter, 

Sworn  to  before  me,  at  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  this  22nd  day  of  January,  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  R.  Milmk,  CoUeclor  o/  Cualonu. 


January  19,  1S9S. 

Clarence  Nelson  Cox,  master  of  the  schooner  "E.  B.  Marvin,"  of  Victoria, 
examined  by  Collector  Milne : 

1.  Q.  What  vessels  have  you  commanded  on  this  coast  Pud  in  Behring  Sea,  Ca])tain 
Cox? — A.  I  have  been  two  years  master  of  the  "  Triumpl',"  and  oni  year  mate  of  the 
"Sapphire"  with  my  brother. 

2.  ^.  'J'liis  makes  your  fifth  or  sixth  year? — A.  This  makes  my  fourth  year.  I  was 
in  Beliring  Sea  so  late  last  year;  that  is  probably  why  it  may  stom  I  have  beeu  out 
oftener  than  others. 


300 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


■■;! 


I 


3.  Q,  The  iiKiiiiry,  Ciiptaiii  Cox,  is  to  elicit,  first,  the  number  of  seals  lost  by  being 
hit.  It  is  allegod  that  you  lose  a  linn;o  proportion  of  tlioso  that  are  shot,  and  wo 
wish  to  get  at  the  facts.  Also  to  estahlisli  the  number  of  females  ciiiij;ht  during  the 
last  and  previous  years,  and  also  to  investigate  if  there  were  any  Canadian  sealers 
raiding  the  seal  islands.  In  the  spring  of  the  year,  when  you  leave  port,  you  go 
down  to  meet  the  seals  along  the  coast t — A.  Yes. 

4.  Q.  I  have  been  given  to  understand  that  the  seals  travel  in  bands? — A.  Yes;  all 
the  cows  together,  and  all  the  bulls  together,  and  the  grey  pu])s  togetlier. 

5.  Q.  I  suppose  they  are  quite  distinctly  separated? — A.  Yes;  wo  get  the  grey 
pups  closer  to  shore,  always  inside  of  the  large  seals. 

6.  Q.  As  a  matter  of  fact  you  do  not  find  many  female  seals  bearing  young  travel- 
ling with  the  bull  seals? — A.  I  have  never  seen  them  in  company  together.  1  have 
found  the  barren  cows  and  bulls  in  company. 

7.  Q.  This  separation  is  from  natural  8elertion,or  instinct? — A.  Yes;  while  carry- 
ing their  young  they  are  never  found  with  the  bulls.  The  barren  cows  occasionally 
do  travel  with  the  bulls. 

8.  Q.  During  what  months  have  you  found  more  females  carrying  young  as  com- 
pared with  other  months  of  the  sealing  season? — A.  In  the  winter,  when  we  first  go 

out — February,  March,  and  April. 
225         9.  Q.  That  is,  both  bearing  cows  and  barren  cows,  too? — A.  No;  bearing 
cows.    There  are  also  grey  pups  about  at  that  time. 

10.  Q.  What  do  you  meiin  by  "  grey  pnjjs"? — A.  The  yearling  seal.  After  that  it 
is  called  a  "brown  pup,"  then  a  "two-year-old." 

11.  Q.  Along  the  coast,  from  the  time  yon  strike  them  in  the  .spring,  do  you  shoot 
the  larger  proportion  of  the  seals  slceiiing,  or  are  there  more  shot  while  travel- 
ling?— ^A.  Yes;  the  larger  portion  of  the  seals  killed  during  the  season  are  shot  while 
sleeping. 

12.  Q.  You  say  you  find  the  bearing  cows  travelling  continually? — A.  If  the 
weather  is  rough,  they  are  travelling,  but  if  line,  they  are  usually  seen  sleeping  or 
resting. 

13.  Q.  Is  it  a  fact  that  the  females  with  young  swijh  lov?  down  in  the  water? — 
A.  Yes;  the  bulls  and  barren  cows  keep  their  heads  well  ui>,  looking  around. 

14.  Q.  When  you  come  upon  a  group  of  seals,  your  catch,  then,  will  depend  upon 
whether  the  group  is  composed  of  nicales  or  females?— A.  Yes;  very  much. 

15.  Q.  As  a  matter  of  experience.  Captain  Cox,  have  you  come  upon  more  groups 
of  males  than  of  females  during  the  last  year,  say? — A.  I  have  caught  more  bulls 
the  last  season — a  great  deal  more.  I  had  848  seals  coming  up  the  mast  bel'ore  enter- 
ing Behring  Sea,  and  of  these  about  75  per  cent,  would  be  m.iles. 

16.  Q.  Have  you  any  jirivate  opinion  as  to  the  reason  of  this  preponderance  of  the 
males  last  year  as  com i)ared  with  previous  years? — A.  I  cannot  account  for  it.  In 
fact,  I  could  hardly  advance  any  idc^a  of  the  cause.  I  get  the  most  of  them  from 
Queen  Charlotte  Island  coast  northwards. 

17.  Q.  You  think,  though,  with  some  of  the  other  sealers,  that  at  about  May  the 
cows  are  well  inadvance,  goingto  BeliriugSea,  to  the  breeding  grounds,  conse(iuently 
the  uales  would  be  left  behind? — A.  That  is  the  only  reason  I  can  see  for  it,  because 
we  get  very  few  females  "  with  pup"  in  May. 

18.  Q.  What  do  you  consider  a  sutlicient  shooting  distance,  that  is,  sufficiently 
close  range  for  sleeping  seals? — A.  A  great  many  aie  shot  inside  of  15  yards.  I  think 
about  15  yards. 

19.  Q.  As  a  professional  sealer,  what  is  your  honest  and  candid  ojjinion  al)ont  the 
percentage  of  seals  lost,  that  is,  the  number  lost  after  being  hit — those  that  sink? — 
A.  With  the  Indian  hunters  it  would  not  amount  to  one  in  a  hundred.  They  kill 
with  the  s])ear,  and  I  know  it  would  not  amount  t(>  1  jier  cent.  1  was  only  one  sea- 
son with  Indian  hunters.  Last  year  1  had  Whites.  1  do  not  think  the  loss  would 
be  more  than  4  or  5  per  cent,  with  shooting  by  the  white  hunters. 

20.  Q.  The  spear  of  the  Indian  sealer  is  bailied,  is  it  not.  and  fastens  in  the  ani- 
mal?— A.  Yes,  it  has  two  barbs  and  a  line  attached,  so  that  they  are  sure  of  their 
seal  unless  their  line  breaks,  or  the  spear  is  not  stuck  in  iar  enough  to  hold,  neither 
of  which  happens  often. 

21.  Q.  Yon  can  quite  confidently  state  that  the  loss  of  seals  killed  by  white  hunters 
would  not  exceed  4  or  5  per  cent.? — A.  1  can. 

22.  Q.  This  you  base  uj)on  your  own  personal  knowledge? — A.  Yes. 

23.  Q.  How  many  of  a  crew  do  you  carry  on  your  vessel? — A.  Six  l'<)ats,  that  is, 
six  hunting  boats  and  a  stern  boat;  seven  in  all. 

24.  Q.  Your  ship's  company  would  be  how  many? — A.  Twenty-three  men. 

25.  Q.  And  the  number  of  hunters? — A.  Six  hunters,  or,  counting  Hie  stern  boat, 
seven  hunters. 

20.  Q.  Your  catch  last  year  wa«  how  many  skins? — A.  On  the  coast  818  skins. 
27.  Q.  Of  that  number  how  many  would  be  breeding  seals? — A.  I  do  not  t'Muk 
there  would  be  more  than  15  per  cent. — about  12U  female  skius. 


st  by  being 
lot,  and  wo 
during  tho 
Li  an  sealers 
ort,  you  go 

-A.  Yes ;  all 

r. 

at  the  grey 

lung  travel- 
ler.   1  Lave 

vhile  carry- 
)cca8ii)nally 

ling  as  com- 
11  we  lirst  go 

!Jo;  bearing 

\^t'ter  that  it 

to  you  shoot 
ihile  travel- 
:e  shot  while 

»— A.  If  the 
sleep  HI  g  or 

ho  water  t — 

tiiiud. 

iepend  upon 

h. 

more  groups 

;  more  bulls 

Ijelbre  enter- 

rance  of  the 

t  tor  it.    lu 

them  from 

)ut  May  the 

<)usu(|uently 

it,  because 

sulViciently 
Ids.     I  think 

^n  about  the 
that  sink  f— 
They  kill 
Inly  one  sea- 
loss  would 

in  the  ani- 
ure  of  their 
lold,  neither 

liife  hunters 


Ills,  that  is, 

|i'n. 
sloni  boat, 

;  skins. 
not  t)<iuk 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


301 


28.  Q.  What  percentiige  of  them  wonld  be  barren  female  skinst — A.  About  10  per 
cent. 

29.  Q,  Is  the  percentnije  of  liearinij  cows  greater  than  that  of  barren  cowsf — A. 
Yes;  every  year  in  my  exi)erieni'e  there  have  been  more  bearing  cows  than  barren. 

30.  Q.  About  15  per  cent.,  then,  would  be  bearing  cows,  and  10  per  cent,  barren 
ones? — A.  Yes. 

31.  Q.  You  stated  that  it  would  entirely  depend  upon  the  groujjs  yon  struck  along 
the  coast  whether  you  got  males  or  females  f — A.  Yes. 

32.  Q.  And  you  base  your  figures  upon  four  years'  experience f — A.  Yes. 

33.  Q.  Then  you  know  the  jiercentago  of  bearing  cows  would  be  15  per  cent.,  and 
the  barren  cows  10  per  cent? — A.  Yes.  The  first  year  I  was  with  my  brother  I 
believe  we  had  not  more  than  10  per  cent  of  cow  seals;  one  of  our  seasons  we  had 
at  least  90  per  cent,  bulls. 

34.  Q.  That  statement  applies  to  Behring  Sea? — A.  Yes. 

35.  Q.  What  year  was  that? — A.  1889,  when  I  was  with  my  brother  as  mate  of  the 
"Sa])phiro."    The  catch  on  the  coast  up  to  Heliring  .Sea  was  about  !M)  per  cent,  bulls. 

3(j.  Q.  In  the  Hehriug  Sea,  what  percentage  of  females  had  you,  as  c()m])ared  with 
males — I  am  told  there  are  less  bulls  t — A.  I  think  the  percentage  of  bulls  in  Behring 
Sea  is  less  than  on  the  coa.-t. 

37.  Q.  Bachelor  bulls? — A.  Yes.  The  greater  percentage  ■would  bo  cows — bearing 
cows;  after  they  have  dropped  their  young  we  don't  jret  them  in  Behring  Sea. 

38.  Q.  Do  you  not  find  a  lot  of  bachelor  bulls  hovering  about  the  outskirts  of  the 
groujjs  of  seals? — A.  Yes,  we  get  some,  but  there  are  more  females  in  Behring  Sea. 

39.  t^.  Did  you  hud  it  so  last  year? — A.  Of  course,  1  was  not  in  Behring  Sea  long 
enough  to  know. 

40.  t^.  Vonr  nunarks,  then,  would  not  apply  to  last  season? — A.  No. 

■i.  Q.  You  think  tlujrt)  would  l)e  about  an  etiual  number  of  cows  and  br.lls  in 

??• 'i-ing  Sea? — A.  Ves;  I  think  that  the  bulls  and  cows  are  about  equ  ily  divided. 

<c.J.  Q.  It  is  well  known  among  sealers  that  the  old  bulls  keep  their  herds,  and 

drive  the  "bachelor"  bulls  off?— A.  Yes. 

226  43.  Q.  Do  you  find  nniny  groups  of  bachelor  bulls  in  Behring  Sea  ? — A.  We 

do  not  find  them  so  much  in  groups  as  on  the  const. 

44.  Q.  Taking  your  whole  catch  for  the  past  yeiir,  skin  for  skin,  what  per^-vntage 
of  females  had  you? — A.  We  had  not  more  than  25  per  cent,  barren  and  bearing 
cows.    That  would  leave  us  about  75  per  cent,  bulls. 

45.  Q.  25  per  cent,  feuhiles,  including  liarrcn  cows? — A.  Yes. 

46.  Q.  In  the  years  (lelbre  bist  wouhl  that  i)ercoutage  hold  good? — A.  I  think  the 
previous  years  would  not  differ  very  much. 

47.  Q.  In  the  months  ol  February,  March,  and  April,  you  think  that  the  femiiles 
killed  are  more  numerous  than  in  Behring  Sea? — A.  I  think  so.  We  get  a  good  many 
more  grey  pups  in  the  winter. 

48.  Xi.  Among  all  th(!  hunters  it  is  pretty  well  known  that  the  average  of  loss  by 
being  hit  would  not  exceed  3  to  5  per  cent.? — A.  Yes;  that  is  well  known. 

49.  <^.  Wounding  a  seal  so  that  it  escapes,  yoti  don't  consiiler  that  lost? — A.  No; 
they  carry  a.  lot  of  shot,  and  the  hunters  ilon't  Just  shoot  at  it  and  leave  it  if  it  does 
not  die  on  th>'  spot,  but  give  chase,  and  if  wounded  badly  it  has  not  muchchanceof 
getting  av  j,y. 

■ring  the  hazardous  ocoiipation  of  sealing,  the  men  get  very  expert 
■  have  a  man  aboard  who  does  not  lose  five  seals  during  the  whole 


Y«^ ; 


i-.r  opinion  that  the  female  seals  with  young  are  somewhat  timid, 
iilerr  than  the  old  bulls? — A.  Yes;  they  are. 

^eason  why  the  percentage  of  females  is  so  small,  I  suppose? — 


50.  q. 
in  it? — A. 
BCiSon 

5;    (^.  In  '■::  y. 
and  n. :>re  on  r-.e 

52.  Q.   il«9t 
A.  Yes. 

53.  (.|».  In  Behring  Sea  you  say  the  jicrcentage  of  loss  would  be  nu)re  than  on  the 
coast? — A.  I  think  the  percent :i,'^i  of  loss  in  Heliring  Sea  is  less  than  on  the  coast, 
because  the  sealers  get  more  seals  asleep  in  the  sea,  I'liey  seem  to  be  right  at  homo 
there,  and  not  travelling  about  so  inucli. 

54.  q.  Have  you  at  any  tiiiii'  know  n  any  of  our  vessels  (that  is,  Canadian  vessels), 
registered  Canadian  vessels,  laiiiling  mi  tlie  seal  islnnds  for  the  purjiose  of  raiding 
and  killing  seals?  A.  I  can  conscientiously  say  that  1  have  never  known  of  any  of 
our  vesi^els  binding  there. 

And  have  never  heard  our  masters 
Xo. 

:  iu.   yon  he.",rd  of  any  vessel  having  done  so? — A.  Yes;  I  have. 
.  ;::)t"  vo.iscls?— A.  The   "Mollie  Adams,"    "George   K.  White,"   and    the 

er,'  ct  Wan  Irancisco,  I  heard,  raided  the  Pribylotf  Islands, 
ilial.  fact  is  well  known  to  the  whole  fleet? — A.  Yes,  Sir. 
You  were  not  in  Behring  Sea  last  season  ? — A.  I  was  in,  but  didn't  stay  long; 
I  was  ordered  out  of  it. 


55. 

1 

tice' 

nt;. 

\ 

57. 

'i- 

"0.  8 

I 

.  i 

.58. 

Q 

59. 

q 

diors  encourage  that  sort  of  prao- 


302 


REPORT   OF   BRITIi^H   COMMISSIONERS. 


f 


B: 


60.  Q.  You  left  as  soon  as  ordered  to  leave t — A.  I  did;  came  direct  home. 

61.  Q.  Who  warned  youf — A.  The  British  ste.amer  "Pheasant." 

62.  Q.  You  didu  I  try  to  seal  after  that?— A.  No. 

6.3.  Q.  Or  lowered  your  boats  f — A.  I  didn't  lower  any  boats  after  receiving  the 
order. 

61.  Q.  You  have  heard  of  some  American  schooners  raiding  Copper  Island? — ^A.  I 
have. 

65.  Q.  Do  yon  know  the  McLean  brothers? — A.  Yes;  and  the  "City  of  San  Diego" 
here,  and  the  "Webster"  and  "J.  Hamilton  Lewis,"  three  American  vessels  who 
raided  Copjter  Island. 

66.  Q.  You  have  no  idea  of  why  the  seals  were  more  plentiful  along  the  coast  last 
year  than  other  seasons? — A.  I  have  no  idea. 

67.  Q.  There  has  been  no  pnictieal  tlioory  advanced  as  to  why  last  year  the  seals 
were  more  i)lentiful  close  in  shore  than  in  other  year-s? — A.  I  have  none,  except  that 
it  is  on  account  of  their  food  fish.  Tlie  seal  follows  the  food.  The  earlier  those  fish 
strike  along  the  coast,  and  the  closer  in  shore,  the  earlier  and  closer  to  the  coast  we 
get  the  seals. 

(Signed)  C.  N.  Cox. 

Sworn  before  me,  this  18th  day  of  .January,  a.d.  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Cuatomi. 


ill 


Captain  Alfred  Bissett,  master  of  :  anadian  schooner  "Annie  E.  Paint,"  of 
Victoria,  British  Columbia,  being  duly  l  .  orn,  says: 

20.  Mr.  Milne. — How  many  years  have  you  been  engaged  in  sealing? — A.  Two 
years;  this  is  my  third  year — have  been  master,  mate,  and  liunter. 

21.  Q.  You  have  had  about  average  luck? — A.  Yes:  about  the  average, 

22.  Q.  You  have  followed  the  seals  from  south  of  Capo  Flattery  north,  haven't 
you? — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

23.  Q.  During  the  last  year,  to  your  observation,  were  the  seals  as  plentiful  along 
the  coasts  as  they  were  the  previous  years? — A.  They  were. 

24.  Q.  Did  the  seals  appear  more  frightened  than  usual? — A.  I  think  not;  I 
noticed  no  dift'ereuce. 

25.  Q.  Did  you  notice  laot  year,  or  any  ^  ear,  in  hunting  seals,  that  the  cows  travel 
together  by  themselves,  and  the  bulls  by  thcmsi'lves,  in  herds? — A.  I  did  notice  that 
the  bulls,  in  a  general  way,  travel  together,  and  the  cows  together,  and  small  seals — 
as  a  rule,  jiups — travel  together. 

26.  Q.  VVhen  hunting,  of  course,  if  yon  struck  a  band  of  bulls  the  catch  that  day 
would  be  principally  bulls? — A.  Yes;  principally  bulls. 

27.  Q.  Do  you  think  more  seals  are  shot  while  sleeping  than  when  in  motion  ? — A. 
Oh,  yes;  far  more;  about  80  per  cent.,  1  think, 

28.  Q.  What  do  yoa  consiiler  a  safe  shooting  distance  for  a  sleeping  seal? — A.  For 
a  sleeping  seal  about  20  to  30  feet  is  a  sure  distance. 

227  29.  Q.  And  when  they  are  on  the  move,  what  is  the  distance? — A.  Well, 

from  25  to  30  yards. 

30.  Q.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  proportion  of  seals  that  are  lost  after  being 
hit? — A.  I  think  from  3  to  5  per  cent,  would  cover  everything. 

31.  Q.  Where  do  you  aim  for  in  shooting  a  seal? — A.  I  aim  for  the  head. 

32.  Q.  So  when  a  seal  drops  his  head  down,  the  air  is  stopped  from  escaping? — 
A.  Yes;  that  is  the  reason  we  shoot  in  tlie  head. 

33.  y.  Duriug  last  year  did  you  notice  tlie  i)roportionof  female  j  to  males  killed? — 
A.  From  counting  the  skins,  and  noticing  the  seals  coming  on  board  the  ship,  I 
I  should  form  75  to  80  per  cent,  were  bulls,  and  the  remainder  females. 

31.  Q.  Do  you  know  the  reason  of  that? — A.  I  don't  know,  unlt^ss  the  cows  travel 
a  little  fiwter  than  the  bulls,  who  follow  the  coast.  1  have  always  noticed  that  there 
are  more  bulls  killed  on  the  coast  thau  there  are  females. 

35.  <,^.  Have  you  ever  noticed  when  the  number  of  females  predominate? — A.  I 
hardly  know,  but  I  have  noticed  that  during  the  months  of  March  and  April  that 
there  were  more  cows  than  males  than  in  the  months  of  May,  .Juno,  and  July. 

36.  Q.  Can  you  form  any  idea,  from  what  you  have  heard,  whetluu-  there  are  more 
females  killed  than  males? — A.  I  should  say  that  there  are  decidtdly  more  males. 
That  is  from  what  I  have  heard  and  seen  myself.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  low 
price  olitaincd  in  London  this  year  is  due  to  the  large  number  of  small  bull  skins 
taken,  tiie  skins  of  the  females  being  larger  and  better. 

38,  Q.  Duriug  the  two  years  that  you  have  been  engaired  in  sealing  have  you  ever 
known  any  Canadian  vessel  to  raid  any  of  the  seal  islands? — A.  No,  Sir. 


siving  the 

mdf— A.  I 

5an  Diego" 
easels  who 

9  coast  lafit 

r  the  seals 
sxoept  that 
r  those  fish 
le  coast  we 

.  N.  Cox. 
Cuatomt. 


,  Paint,"  of 
t— A.  Two 

th,  haven't 

itiful  along 

nk  not;   I 

30WS  travel 
notice  that 
uall  seals — 

ih  that  day 

lotion  t — A. 

1?— A.  For 

—A.  Well, 

iter  being 

scaping! — 

iskilledt — 
the  ship,  I 

OW8  travel 
that  there 

ate?— A.  I 
April  that 

Illy. 

•e  are  more 
ore  iiKilcs. 
at  the  low 
bull  skins 

0  you  ever 


REPORT    OF    15UITIS1I    COMMISSIONERS. 


303 


3!).  Q.  If  thort'  had  ht-cn  any  suph  thing  goini;  on,  it  would  h:ivr>  leaked  ontf — 
A.  It  would  (t'rtainly  Iiavo  leaked  out,  and  I  would  have  heard  of  it.  It  is  almost 
inijMissiblc  to  kf«'))  it  (inlet. 

(The  above  having  beeu  carefully  read  over  to  Captain  Bissett,  he  corroborates  and 
substantiates  the  same.) 

(Signed)  Alfred  Bissett. 

Sworn  before  me  at  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  this  I8th  day  of  November  [tie],  1892. 

(Siguod)  A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Cuntoma. 


January  19, 1S93. 

Captain  Theodore  M.  Magnesen,  in  command  of  the  schooner  "Walter  A.  Earle," 
of  Victoria,  examined  by  Collector  Milue: 

1.  Q,  How  many  years  have  you  been  sealing  in  Behring  Sea,  Captain  Magnesen t — 
A.  Three  years;  this  will  be  niy  fourth. 

2.  Q.  You  have  had  very  good  success  last  year? — A.  Yes;  very  fair  success. 

3.  Q.  Did  you  notice  last  year  any  percej)tible  decrease  in  the  number  of  seals 
compared  with  previous  years? — A.  I  think  they  were  more  plentiful  last  season  than 
I  ever  saw  them  before. 

4.  Q,  Do  you  mean  in  Behring  Sea? — A.  Yes;  both  along  the  coast  and  in  the  Sea, 
Tlie  biggest  catch  I  ever  made  was  last  year,  on  the  coast  as  well  as  in  the  B<diring  Sea. 

5.  Q.  You  have  noticed  the  habits  of  the  seals — how  they  travel? — A.  They  travel 
in  batches,  the  bull  "  -ills  by  tlicmselve .,  and  the  cow  seals  by  themselves,  and  the 
yearling  pups  by  t'  t-nisclves. 

6.  Q.  As  a  mat'  r  of  tact,  are  there  more  seals  shot  while  sleeping  than  while  they 
are  travelling?-  A.  That  is  hard  to  say;  but  I  think  there  are  just  as  many  shot 
while  moving  as  there  are  sleeping  seals. 

7.  Q.  When  you  shoot  seals  by  sleeping,  what  is  the  safe  shooting  distance? — A. 
About  25  yards. 

8.  Q.  And  when  travelling? — A.  About  4.5  to  50  yards. 

9.  Q.  The  usual  mark  you  shoot  at  is  the  head  of  the  seal? — A.  Yes. 

10.  Q.  When  hit  in  the  head,  the  seal  does  not  sink? — A.  No;  soinetimes  he  does, 
though,  if  he  is  shot  when  short  of  wind  at  the  moment,  and  he  will  sink  if  you  are 
too  far  away  to  pull  it  out. 

11.  Q.  You  have  noticed  them  sinking? — A.  Y'es;  they  generally  sink  tail  first. 

12.  Q.  If  the  seal  is  shot  in  the  head,  he  drops  his  head,  and  that  confines  the 
breast,  and  it  floats? — A.  Yes;  that  is  the  way  I  have  accounted  for  them  floating. 

13.  Q.  How  many  seals,  in  your  exiierience,  do  you  think  a  hunter  loses  out  ot'  say, 
100  sliot  at? — A.  1  know  my  head  hunter  killed  4'J8  seals  last  iear,  and  17  of  them 
sunk. 

14.  Q.  That  would  be  about  Si  per  cent? — A.  Yes. 

15.  Q.  Do  you  cousitler  that  a  fair  average  on  the  number  of  seals  lostt — A.  As  an 
experienced  Inniter,  I  think  it  is  a  fair  average. 

16.  Q.  AN'ould  you  say  that  a  man  who  loses,  say,  5  per  cent  of  the  seal  he  shoots 
would  not  be  au  experienced  hunter? — A.  He  could  not  lose  more  tliau  that. 

17.  Q.  Will  that  percentage  of  loss  api)ly  to  the  travelling  seals  as  well  as  to  the 
Bleeping  seals? — A,  Yes,  the  most  of  the  seals  lost  are  the  ones  shot  by  the  ones 
moving  or  travelling. 

18.  Q.  Your  boats  carry  pole,  spear,  and  gaff? — A.  Yes;  and  if  the  seal  sinks  down 
10  or  15  feet  they  are  easily  recovered. 

19.  Q.  If  you  were  on  your  oath,  now,  and  hoard  any  one  say  that  for  every  seal 
that  was  killed,  male  or  female,  one  was  lost,  you  would  say  it  was  a  misstatement? — 
A.  Yes;  that  is  not  so. 

20.  Q.  If  any  one  came  here  and  said  that  for  every  seal  you  hit  you  killed  another 
seal f — A.  That  is  nonsense. 

21.  Q.  The  highest  jjcrcentage  of  loss,  you  say,  would  be  5  per  cent,  for 
228      sinking  seals/ — A.  Y'es;  and  I   may  say  that  I   have  taktui    seals  witi'  shot 
in  them,  dropped  out  when  skinning,  and  they  seemed  as  strong  and  healthy 
as  ever.  » 

22.  Q.  That  is  to  say,  that  unless  you  shoot  a  seal  in  a  vital  part,  the  wound  heals 
quickly? — A.  Yes;  and  unless  you  hit  it  hard  the  seal  gets  away. 

23.  Q.  Yon  have  seen  females  with  young? — A.  No;  I  never  saw  them  carrying 
their  young  in  the  water. 

24.  Q.  Down  the  coast  the  seals  are  pretty  well  divided,  are  they  not?— A.  Yes. 

25.  Q.  The  cows  travel  by  themselves,  and  the  bulls  by  themsehes? — .\.  Yes. 

26.  Q.  Did  you  say  that  you  have  caught  more  bull  seals  than  cow  seals  <lnriiig  the 
season? — A.  Yes,  along  the  coast;  but  when  I  got  up  and  up  I  got  more  bulls  than 
cows. 


304 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


'i 

I!, 


27.  Q.  What  months  have  yon  seen  more  cows  in  proportion  than  other  months f — 
A.  In  February,  March,  and  April. 

28.  Q.  But  even  when  you  .see  more  cows  the  average  of  the  seals  killed  is  in 
favour  of  the  bulls,  is  it  not? — A.  No;  it  is  al)out  equal. 

29.  You  say  the  cows  travel  quicker  towards  the  Behrine  Seat — A.  Yes;  when  w* 
get  further  np  the  cow  seals  seem  to  leave  the  bulls  behind. 

30.  Q.  Has  it  always  been  sot — A.  Yes;  I  have  pot  181  seals  in  a  day,  and  not  a 
cow  amongst  them,  but  yon  sometiines  get  one.    I  think  the  average  is  about  1  in  90. 

31.  Q.  Yon  always  get  more  bulls  than  cowst — A.  Yes,  up  there. 

32.  Q-  How  many  out  of  every  hundred  seals  yon  had  on  board  your  vessel  last 
year  would  be  females t — A.  I  think  fully  a  half  of  thorn  would  be  cows. 

33.  Q.  How  many  of  them  would  be  bearing  cows,  and  how  many  of  them  would 
be  barren  cowst — A.  Of  bearing  cows,  I  think  about  18  or  20  per  cent,  would  be 
bearing  cows.  I  do  not  think  there  would  be  so  many  as  that.  I  had  2,000  ^d  T 
think  there  would  be  only  about  12  or  14  per  cent,  with  pujjs;  the  others  wou:  .  ^o 
what  are  called  barren  cows,  and  a  lot  of  them  would  he  dry  cows. 

34.  Q.  With  the  barren  cows  and  the  ones  bearing  young  you  say  would  make  up 
about  half  your  catch t — A.  Yes;  about  half  and  half. 

35.  Q.  The  proportion  of  males  and  females,  though,  depends  upon  the  crowds  or 
groups  you  get  intot — A.  Yes;  it  depends  upon  the  band  you  strike. 

36.  Q.  You  never,  at  any  time,  had  more  females  than  males  in  any  of  your 
catches t — A.  No;  never. 

37.  Q.  While  in  Behring  Sea  during  the  last  four  years  had  you  ever  heard  of  any 
Canadian  schooners  "raiding"  the  Pribyloff  Islandst — A.  No.  I  never  lieardof  any 
of  my  crew  being  engaged  in  such.  Several  of  my  crews  told  me  of  the  American 
sealers  raiding  them,  but  I  never  heard  of  a  Canadian  vessel  doing  so. 

38.  Q.  If  you  were  bound  to  mal<e  a  statement  on  your  oath,  you  would  say  you 
believed  no  Canadian  vessels  ever  raided  the  Pribyloff  Islands  for  seals  f — A.  Not  as 
far  as  I  know. 

39.  Q.  Yon  believe,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  that  the  owners  of  Canadian  seal' '  and 
their  masters  have  never  countenanced  this  raidingt — A.  I  believe  that  is  tin  ling 
that  prevails  among  them  all. 

40.  Q.  You  have  heard  mentioned  the  names  of  the  American  vessels  that  raided 
those  Islands t— A.  Yes;  Ihewdof  the  "Mollie  Adams"  and"GeorgeK.  White,"  but 
not  any  others. 

41.  Q.  You  have  not  heard  of  any  others t — A.  No;  I  have  not  heard  of  any  others. 

42.  Q.  You  hav«  heard  of  vessels  raiding  the  Copper  Islandsf-A.  Yes;  I  have 
beard  of  the  "Hamilton  Lewis"  and  "Webster"  raiding  Copper  Island. 

43.  Q.  Those  vessels  yon  name  are  all  American  vesselst — A.  Yes. 

44.  Q.  Manned  by  American  crewst— A.  Yes. 

45.  Q.  Have  you  any  recollection  of  seeing  any  of  those  vessels  in  this  (Victoria) 
Harbour  t — A.  No. 

(Signed)  Thko.  M.  Magnesen. 

Sworn  before  me,  this  23rd  day  of  January,  a.  d.  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  E.  Mii^K,  Collector  of  Customt. 


Henry  Crocker,  hunter  on  board  the  schooner  "Annie  E.  Paint,"  having  been 
■worn : 

05.  Q.  How  long  have  you  been  engaged  in  sealing  t — A.  I  have  been  hunting  now 
for  tliree  years;  tliis  is  my  fourth. 

66.  Q.  From  your  observation,  do  you  think  that  the  seals  were  as  plentiful  last 
year  as  they  were  during  the  jtrevious  seasons? — A.  Yes;  from  what  I  saw  of  them 
I  am  sure  they  were  just  ius  many  as  before. 

67.  Q.  In  what  months  do  the  female  seals  seem  to  be  the  most  plentiful  in  the 
sealing  grounds? — A.  1  believe  tliat  from  February  to  May  the  females  seem  tr,  j>re- 
dominate  in  n>inibers;  that  is,  wlien  the  cows  are  getting  heavier  with  young,  they 
make  for  the  Islands  sooner  than  the  bulls. 

68.  Q.  Is  it  more  ditlicult  to  shoot  a  female  seal  than  it  is  a  bullf^A.  The  males 
are  more  easily  killed  tiian  tlio  leuiales,  owing  to  the  inciuisitiveness  of  tlie  males, 
and  the  females  being  more  shy,  and  also  as  they  move  along  the  water  with  only 
their  nose  visible. 

69.  Q.  As  an  experienced  hunter,  what  percentage  of  loss  have  you  hud  by  seals 
sinking? — A,  It  is  very  rarely  that  a  seal  will  sink.  I  have  been  a  whole  season  and 
have  not  bad  more  tha>n  half  a  dozen  sink  during  the  whole  season. 

70.  Q.  Can  you  form  any  estimate  of  what  your  loss  has  booii  ? — A.  i  would  say  not 
more  than  3  or  4  per  cent. 


nonthst — 

lied  ifl  in 

when  wtt 

and  not  a 
lut  1  in  90. 

vessel  last 

lem  woulu 
would  be 

000  "d  T 

1  woui  .   -v: 

1  make  np 

crowds  OP 

ly  of  your 

iril  of  any 
ardof  any 
>  American 

lid  say  you 
-A.  Not  as 

!ea]<  t'  and 
till        iiug 

hat  raided 
Vhite,"  but 

any  others, 
es;  1  have 


(Victoria) 

,GNE8EN. 

\Cu8tom$. 


Iving  been 

|nting  now 

itifiil  last 
Kv  of  thorn 

Ifiil  iu  the 
I'm  U;  ]ne- 
bung, they 

jriie  males 
llio  males, 
Iwitli  only 

by  seals 
leason  and 

Id  say  not 


REPORT    OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


305 


229  71.  Q.  Was  the  loss  last  year  more  than  in  previous  years f — A.  I  could  see 
no  difference. 

72.  Q.  As  a  reason  for  the  small  percentage  of  loss,  you  get  very  nsar  the  Hcals 
before  sliootingt — A.  Yes,  Sir;  the  usual  distance  is  within  about  .^0  feel  to  the 
Blee})ing  seal. 

T.i.  t^.  If  a  man  has  a  higher  percentage  of  loss  than  tliat,  lie  must  be  careless,  you 
think? — A.  Yes,  I  should  8ay8o,and  not  a  lirst-ciass  hunter,  for  tliere  i.s  no  necessity 
for  losing  a  seal. 

74.  (I.  l>oes  your  percentage  of  loss  agree  with  otlier  hunters  with  whom  you  have 
conversed?— A.  Yes. 

7.5.  Q.  So  that  on  the  coast  and  in  Behring  Sea  the  same  jiorcentage  would  apply  f— 
A.  Well,  on  the  coast  one  does  not  very  olten  sink  a  seal ;  but  in  Mehring  Sea,  if  a 
cow,  having  delivered  her  pups,  is  shot,  she  will  lie  more  ajit  to  sink,  as  the  blubber 
is  very  much  thinner.  But,  on  the  whole,  I  think  the  percentage  will  not  bo  more 
than  3  or  4  per  cent,  of  loss. 

7fj.  Q.  ll.ive  yon  taken  notice  in  hnnting  wliether  there  are  more  females  than 
males,  or  the  reverse,  takeut— A.  There  is  fully  ISO  per  cent,  of  l)ull  seals  killed  off 
the  coast,  as  well  as  in  Behring  Sea.  I  think  the  reason  for  tliis  is  that  the  younger 
bulls  are  <lriven  off  by  the  older  ones,  who  guard  their  particular  htMtls. 

77.  Q.  Ill  the  three  years  you  have  been  in  Hehring  Sea  has  it  always  been  your 
ex])erie!ice  that  there  were  more  males  caught  than  leiiiales?  And  in  what  propor- 
tion?—  \    I  say  about  the  same  as  this  year;   I  don't  see  any  diliereiice. 

78.  Q  Itoes  your  percentage  of  i'eiuales  taken  agree  with  that  of  other  hunters 
with  'Viiom  you  have  conversed? — A.  Yes. 

79.  Q.  As  an  experienced  hunter,  then,  you  adhere  to  the  statement  that  for  tlie 
whole  season's  catches  for  the  years  you  have  been  hunting,  that  the  jyercentage  of 
seals  caught  will  be  about  three  males  to  one  female? — A.  Yes;  about  that. 

80.  Q.  Do  you  include  iu  that  statement  barren  cows? — A.  Yes. 

81.  Q.  Have  you  any  idea  or  reason  of  your  own  why  the  males  come  to  jiredomi- 
natesomuch? — A.  I  think  it  is  because  the  females  make  for  the  islands  earlier  than 
the  young  bulls  and  barren  cows. 

82.  Q.  Have  you  ever  heard  of  any  Canadian  vessels  raiding  the  seal  islands? — A. 
No,  Sir. 

83.  Q.  You  have  never  heard  of  any  Canadian  master  or  owner  offering  any  iuduco- 
uient  to  hunters  to  raid  the  islands? — A.  No,  Sir. 

84.  Q.  There  has  never  been  any  bonus  offered  you  to  raid  the  islands? — A.  No, 
Sir;  while  in  Behring  Sea  we  are  always  too  anxious  to  get  away  i'rom  the  islands. 

85.  Q.  If  any  Canadian  vessels  had  raided  the  islands  you  would  have  likely  heard 
of  it? — A.  Yes.     I  think  it  is  imjiossible  to  keep  it  as  (niiet  as  that. 

86.  Q.  You  have  heard  of  American  vessels  raiding  tli(>  Copper  arid  Pribyloff 
Islands? — A.  I  have  heard  it.  I  have  known  of  the  American  vessels  going  into 
Sand  Point  just  after  they  had  raided  the  islands,  and  I  was  in  Sand  Point  when  one 
vessel  was  fitted  out  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  raid. 

87.  Q.  The  masters  with  whom  you  have  sealed  all  seem  to  have  avoided  the 
islands?— A.  Oh,  yes;  they  keep  away  from  the  islands  between  .50  and  lOD  miles. 

(The  foregoing  having  been  reail  over  to  the  said  Henry  Crocker,  ho  corroborates 
and  substantiates  the  whole  of  the  said  statements.) 

(Signed)  IIknuy  Chookkh,  Hunter. 

Sworn  to  before  me,  at  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  this  18tli  day  of  Tuiuary,  1892, 

(Signed)  A.  li.  Milnk,  Collector  of  Cuntoms. 


George  Roberts,  hunter  on  board  the  schooner  "Annie  E.  Paint,"  being  duly 
Bworn,  says: 

55.  Q.  How  long  have  you  been  engaged  as  a  sealer? — A.  I  have  been  at  seal- 
bunting  for  three  years,  one  sea8(m  as  a  hunter. 

56.  Q.  Were  the  seals  more  jilenti fill  last  year  than  in  previous  years? — A.  Tliey 
were  just  about  the  same  as  regards  number. 

57.  Q.  How  do  the  seals  generally  travel — in  mixed  niiiubeis,  leilos  and  I'ernales 
together? — A.  The  seals  travel  in  bands  of  bulls  an<l  bands  of  cows,  hulli  by  tliem- 
selves. 

58.  Q.  What  is  the  proportion  of  seals  lost  b\  inUing  afterbeingshot?— A.  Well, 
I  should  say  that  3  to  5  per  cent,  would  covi'r  tlie  whole  loss.     It  is  not  nmre. 

59.  Q.  What  is  the  distance  you  are  otf  a  seal  when  yon  shoot,  generally? — A. 
Well,  from  20  to  30  feet  for  a  sleeper,  and  for  a  travtdbr  from  25  to  30  leit. 

60.  Q.  What  ])art  o^the  seal  do  you  aim  at? — A.  1  aim  at  the  head,  nb  the  best 
place,  being  the  surest. 


B  S,  PT  VI- 


-20 


306 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


61.  Q.  Do  yoii  think  there  wore  nny  more  female  seals  shot  than  males  last  year? — 
A.  No;  I  think  there  were  more  males  sliot;  in  fact,  I  think  that  since  I  have  hoen 
eiifj;af<od  in  the  business  there  have  been  more  males  killed  than  females. 

62.  y.  What  mouths  liavc  you  noticusd  more  females  than  mahisT — A.  In  the  months 
of  iMareh  and  April  tliere  are  more  females  tiiaii  at  any  other  time.  There  are  more 
females  killed  during  titose  months  than  tiieri^  are  any  otiier  time. 

6',i,  Q.  Have  you  ever  heard  of  any  of  the  C'anatlian  vessels  poaehinj;  on  the  seal 
islands? — A.  I  never  did;  I  would  liave  iieard  of  it  if  there  had  been  any.  I  have 
hoard  of  the  American  raiders;  hut  I  do  not   know   of  a  single  Cauatliau   vessel 

raidinnr  a  seal  rookery. 
230  64,  C^.  If  a  seal  is  sinkinjj,  does  it  go  quickly  or  slowly? — \.  If  it  is  not  too 

far  away  it  can  always  be  seemed,  as  it  does  not  go  too  quickly  to  get  it. 
(The  above  liaving  been  read  to  the  said  (Jeorge  Roljerts,  he  corroborates  and  sub- 
stantiates all  of  the  foregoing  statements.) 

(Signed)  Geokgk  Rohekts,  Hunter. 

Sworn  to  before  me  at  Victoria,  Hritish  Columbia,  this  18th  day  of  .January,  1892. 

(Signed)        A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Cusloma, 


5; 


4j 


'l» 


'^ 


Richard  Thomson,  hunter  on  hoard  the  schooner  "  Annio  E.  Painter,"  being  duly 
Bworn,  says: 

40.  Q.  How  long  liiive  you  been  engaged  in  sealing? — A.  I  have  been  engaged  as 
a  hunter  for  two  years. 

41.  Q.  Were  tlie  seals  as  plentiful  laSt  year  as  they  were  the  previous  year,  to  your 
oljservatiou?— A.  Yes;  I  believe  they  were. 

42.  Q.  Were  the  seals  a[ii)arently  harder  to  approach  than  they  were  in  previous 
years? — A.  No;  I  can't  say  that  I  saw  any  dill'ereuce. 

43.  Q.  How  do  the  seals  generally  travel? — A.  As  a  rule  the  bulls  travel  separately, 
and  quite  a  distance  apart  generally. 

44.  Q.  What  is  your  ex])erience  in  hunting  as  to  the  number  of  seals  lost  after 
being  hit? — A.  I  should  think  from  3  to  5  per  cent,  would  cov(\r  all. 

45.  Q.  What  is  the  usual  manner  in  which  seals  are  lost? — A.  Well,  if  the  seal  is  iu 
a  certain  position  and  shot  so  as  to  allow  the  air  to  escape,  the  .seal  will  be  lost.  As 
long  as  the  head  sinks  below  the  water  iirst,  the  seal  will  not  sink.  They  very 
rarely  sink  in  any  case. 

46.  Q.  You  carry  a  spear  on  a  gatF,  don't  you? — A.  Yes;  it  is  carried  to  spear  the 
seals  when  they  are  going  down. 

47.  Q.  From  your  experience  in  sealing,  you  consider  that  from  3  to  5  per  cent, 
would  cover  the  total  loss  of  seals,  after  being  shot,  through  sinking? — A.  Yes. 

48.  Q.  When  you  shoot  a  seal  at  a  distance,  and  do  not  shoot  them  iu  a  vital  part, 
they  make  off,  do  t '  "y? — A.  Yes. 

49.  Q.  You  don't  >  onsider  that  lost,  then? — A.  No;  we  don't  consider  the  seal  lost 
unless  it  sinks. 

50.  Q.  Have  you  bandied  more  males  than  females  during  the  past  two  years? — 
A.  I  should  say  more  males. 

51.  Q.  Have  you  any  idea  of  the  proportion  of  males — would  there  be  two  males 
to  one  female? — A.  I  should  say  from  70  to  80  per  cent.,  or  about  three  males  to  one 
female. 

52.  Q.  In  what  months  do  you  consider  that  there  are  most  females  killed? — A. 
During  the  months  of  April  aud  May.  There  are  apparently  more  fe  lales,  but  not 
as  many  as  males. 

53.  Q.  Yt.ii  have  never  known  of  any  Canadian  schooners  raiding  the  seal  islands, 
have  you? — A.  1  have  never  hoard  of  a  (\inadian,  but  I  have  of  the  American. 

54.  Q.  During  the  time  that  you  have;  betiu  to  Hehring  Sea,  you  would  have  heard 
of  itf — A.  1  would  certainly  have  heard  of  it. 

55.  Q.  You  have  always  sailed  out  of  this  port? — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

(The  .ibove  having  been  read  over  to  Richard  Thomson,  he  corroborateb  and  sub- 
stantiates the  same.) 

(Signed)  R.  Thomson,  Hunter. 

Sworn  to  at  Victoria,  Briiish  Columbia,  before  me,  this  18th  day  of  Jauuary^,  1892. 

^Signed)  A.  B.  Milnb,  Collector  of  Customt. 


REPOKT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


307 


iHtyeart — 
have  hoeu 

;hemontliH 
e  are  nioro 

m  the  seal 
y.  I  liivve 
I'iaii   vcHSt'l 

t  ia  iu)t  too 

got  it. 

m  and  sub- 

*,  Hunter. 

iiiiiry,  1892. 
'  Vuitoma. 


being  duly 

I  engaged  as 

('ear,  to  your 

I  in  previous 

il  separately, 

lis  lost  after 

the  seal  is  in 
I  be  lost.     As 
They  very 

to  spear  the 

0  5  per  cent. 
-A.  Yes. 

a  vital  part, 

the  seal  lost 
two  years t — 

Te  two  males 

1  males  to  one 

Is  killed! — A. 
]ales,  but  not 

I  seal  islands, 
lerican. 
|d  have  heard 

^tes  and  sab- 

)N,  Hunter. 

luuary,  1892. 
of  Customs. 


Victoria,  B,  C,  January  SS,  1S92. 

Andrew  Laing,  called  and  examined  by  Collector  A.  R.  Miliie: 

1.  Q.  You  are  one  oC  the  oldest  seal-hunters  in  the  province,  Mr.  Laingt — A.  I 
have  been  ten  years  at  it. 

2.  Q.  Your  knowled^^o  of  sealing  really  goes  beyond  the  present  knowledjjre  of  the 
average  sealer  f — A.  I  have  had  as  much  experience  us  any  of  thtMu,  I  think  I  know 
as  ranch  as  any  of  them. 

3.  Q.  Your  observations  on  the  west  coast  extend  beyond  tlie  advent  of  the  seal- 
ing business  in  Uehring  ti^ea? — A.  Y'es.  I  went  on  the  csiist  in  1871,  and  have  been 
sealing  with  natives  for  the  last  twenty-one  years. 

4.  Q.  You  had  ample  opportunity  of  observing  the  life  and  habits  of  the  sealsf — 
A.  Yes. 

5.  Q.  From  those  observations  last  year  did  you  notice  any  perceptible  or  material 
decrease  in  the  number  of  seals? — A.  N(me  whiitever. 

6.  Q.  It  was  generally  re))oited  last  year  thi-y  were  more  nnmerous  than  the  year 
beforef — A.  Yes.     I  think,  if  anything,  they  were  a  little  more  numerous  than  1890. 

7.  Q.  Does  that  remark  apply  to  full  grown! — A.  'I'o  liill-^rown  and  mid-sized. 

8.  Q.  What  direction  do  the  seals  on  the  coast  usually  come  frouif — A.  They  come 
from  the  south,  following  the  herring,  wliich  spawn  on  tlie  west  coast  antl  dill'erent 
places,  and  the  seal  follow  those  fisli  into  the  shore  or  far  out,  as  the  case  nuiy  be. 
The  natives  get  a  great  number  of  these  seals  among  a  schi)ol  oi  herring. 

9.  Q.  What  is  the  usual  distance  wlii(.h  the  natives  hunt  away  from  shoret — 
231      A.  In  the  spring  they  will  hunt  10  or  15  miles  off,  later  in  the  season  20  or  25 
miles.     I  have  seen  them  40  miles  from  the  land. 

10.  Q.  How  long  does  the  hunting  of  the  seal  on  the  west  coast  usually  last? — A. 
Commences  in  February,  or  latter  end  of  January,  and  lasts  till  the  1st  June,  when 
you  get  more  or  less  seals;  you  can  get  a  few  straggleis  in  .July. 

11.  Q.  And  the  tendency  of  the  seals  is  from  the  south? — A.  Yes,  following  their 
food  fish. 

12.  Q.  You  have  been  down  the  coast  to  where  you  meet  the  seals  in  their  migra- 
tion?— A.  I  have  gone  down  as  far  as  Shoal  Water  May,  Coluiultia  River. 

13.  Q.  How  do  you  meet  the  seals — in  large  bands  or  batches? — A.  Yes,  in  schools, 
from  two  to  twenty  in  a  school. 

14.  Q.  Do  they  seem  to  travel  in  pairs? — A.  No.  Sir. 

15.  Q.  Do  you  find  in  these  schools,  or  bunches,  they  are  all  males  or  females? — A. 
They  are  mixed.  I  remember  an  instance — 1  think  in  isxO— when  we  got  on  the  coast 
otl"  Cape  Flattery  either  104  or  109,  am  not  positive,  and  out  of  that  there  were  over 
100  bull  seals,  and  the  next  day  we  got  about  86,  and  out  of  that  number  over  70 
were  bulls.    That  was  in  the  year  1886. 

16.  Q.  Would  your  observation  lead  you  to  sujiposo  that  your  cat'di  would  depend 
entirely  upon  the  group  of  bulls  or  females  as  to  which  your  catch  would  bo  com- 
posed of  princi]ially? — A.  As  we  get  amongst  them;  yes. 

17.  Q.  But  taking  one  year  with  another — from  18X6  to  the  )iresent  time — have  you 
seen  anymore  females  killed  tlian  of  bulls? — A.  .No,  Sir.  1  tliink  we  have  got  al)oui< 
three  males  in  five,  and  when  we  got  up  about  the  Hank,  about  Mitldletou  Island,  I 
think  they  will  average  more  males  than  females. 

18.  Q.  When  you  strike  the  seals  on  the  coast  about  40  or  .50  miles  from  shore,  do 
you  find  a  large  x)ropoi't  ion  of  them  sleeping? — A.  Tiiey  are  geneially  sleeping.  The 
Indians  get  none  but  sleei>ing  seals.     I  have  never  been  working  with  Whites. 

19.  Q.  The  natives  ajiprouch  the  seals  very  close? — A.  Yes;  and  he  comes  to  the 
leeward  of  them,  and  if  there  is  any  sea  on  they  get  into  the  trough  of  the  sea  and 
make  no  noise.     If  he  went  to  windward  the  seal  would  scent  him,  ami  get  away. 

20.  Q.  When  he  gets  close  enough  he  throws  his  spear,  and  seldom  missesi— A, 
Yes;  he  don't  miss  one  in  ten. 

21.  Q.  And  when  once  his  spear  is  fastened,  the  seal  never  gets  away? — A.  No. 

22.  Q.  If  an  Indian  lo.ses  more  than  what  you  say,  he  would  not  be  a  goo  I  hunter? — 
A.  No  good  at  all.     It  would  not  pay  to  "pack"  him. 

23.  Q.  Do  the  Indians  ever  shoot? — A.  Sometimes.  They  never  shoot  if  the  seal  is 
sleeping. 

24.  Q.  Does  that  percentage  of  loss  apply  to  the  sleeping  seals  only?— A.  Yes. 

25.  Q.  You  mean  by  "loss" — what? — A.  By  sinking. 

26.  Q.  If  the  seal  is  wounded  so  it  gets  away,  you  don't  consider  it  lost? — A.  No. 

27.  Q.  If  speared  and  wounded,  and  scurried  off,  you  don't  consider  it  lost? — A. 
Oh,  no;  not  lost. 

28.  Q.  The  Indian  hunter  is  very  close  to  the  quarry,  and  rarely  misses  his  aim? — 
A.  Well,  he  will  get  within  25  or  30  yards  of  it. 

29.  (I.  Have  you  noticed  any  nuirked  ditVerence  in  the  manner  in  which  the  females 
carrying  young  travel  as  compai'ed  with  the  males? — A.  The  only  dilference  1  could 
see  is  that  they  will  travel  very  fast  for  a  little  distance,  and  then  turn  up  and  rest 


r 


308 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


m 


30.  Q.  I  moan,  do  tlify  sink  their  bodios  moroT — A.  No;  they  <lo  not. 

31.  Q.  l>o  jon  tliink  tlint  the  female  is  more  shy  than  tlie  niiile,  tliat  in,  those  "with 
yoiiiifi;"? — A.  No;  I  tliiiik  they  are  not  any  more  sliy.  Tlic  Icniiihu.s  always  inclined 
to  In-  .slcei)y.  'i'lu!  male  is  uhvayson  the  watch,  and  will  iImh  till  lii.s  head  au<l  shoul- 
ders are  out  of  the  water. 

ii'J.  Q.  One  hunter  has  said  that  the  female  lii's  deep  in  the  water,  exposing  only  a 
portion  of  her  heiidt — A.  I  have  never  noticed  that.  When  lying  asleep  one-half  of 
the  head  is  under  water. 

33.  C^.  Then  you  will  say  that  the  percentage  of  loss  of  the  Indian  hunters  ia  not 
more  than  how  many  in  the  hundred! — A.  Not  more  than  one  in  ten ;  not  more  than 
10  per  cent. 

31.  Q.  You  say  yon  never  hunted  with  white  men  until  this  year? — A.  No. 

35.  Q.  If  any  person  made  a  statement  that  there  is  a  greater  amount  of  loss  than 
what  you  say,  you  would  not  regard  it  as  correctt — A.  I  would  say  it  was  not  cor- 
ro<t,  with  Iiulian  huntt^rs. 

36.  Q.  Your  .statement  i8  based  upon  actual  experiencof — A.  Yes. 

37.  Q.  In  going  down  the  coast  in  the  sprinp,  in  I'Vliruary,  March,  and  April,  have 
you  noticed  that  females  are  more  plentiful  than  in  the  following  niouthsf — A.  I  do 
not  think  they  are. 

3^.  Q.  But  as  they  come  from  the  south,  you  think  they  are  not? — A.  Between 
January  and  .June,  and  between  the  south  and  the  Shumiigiu  Ini.'inds,  have  you 
noticed  any  time  or  ])laco  where  there  were  any  nu)re  females  killed  than  others? — 
A.  1  think  in  May,  I  have  noticed  one  thing:  you  will  not  find,  take  one  in  ninety, 
you  will  never  tind  a  female  pup.  Where  the  ieniale  young  go  to  is  something  that 
the  Couuuissioners  ought  to  have  found  out  before  they  came  down  from  the  stta. 

39.  i}.  It  has  been  stated  that  the  Indiani  say  there  is  no  such  thing  as  a  f(uiiale 
grey  pup? — A.  I  have  never  seen  one  yet,  and  cannot  account  for  it,  unle«o  the 
females  go  one  way  and  the  miles  another. 

40.  Q.  Among  all  yearling  grey  pups,  there  has  never  been  any  one  known  to  have 
found  a  female f — A.  Yes,  it  is  a  fact.  I  have  heard  a  great  deal  of  talk  of  females 
having  young  on  tlie  k  dp,  too,  but  I  <lon't  think  that  is  so.  .Some  hunters  report  of 
seeing  pu])s  olV  J\lid<lleton'8  Island,  but  I  think  that  is  impossible. 

41.  (^.  Have  you  ever  seen  them  cut  a  pup  out  of  the  female  seal? — A.  Yes;  and  I 
have  seen  the  ]>up  so  cut  out  walk  or  move  about  the  deck  of  the  vessel,  antl  I  have 
tried  to  raise  it.     I  have  also  thrown  it  into  the  water,  and  have  seen  it  swim  about 

like  a  young  dog;  I  have  seen  it  keep  afloat  for  fifteen  minutes,  as  long  as  the 
232      vessel  was  within  sight.     On  the  islands   the  mother  seal  will  take  the  young 

and  force  them  into  the  water  to  teach  tliem  to  swim.  They  will  never  take 
the  water  freely  themselves  for  from  six  weeks  to  two  months. 

42.  Q.  You  think  they  will  swim  50  yards  probably,  or  100  yards? — A.  Yes;  but 
don't  think  they  could  live  continually  in  the  water  if  they  were  born  in  it. 

43.  y.  When  you  strike  the  seals  on  the  west  coast,  what  would  you  say  was  the 
usual  distance  per  day  that  the  seals  travel? — A.  That  is  impossible  to  say;  it 
depends  upon  their  food. 

41.  (}.  That  is,  they  linger  longer  over  good  food  than  otherwise? — A.  Yes;  I 
remember  in,  I  think,  IWH,  where  an  Indian  threw  his  spear  at  a  seal,  and  his  line 
broke;  it  was  near  the  .Shumagin  Islands,  and  ho  took  the  same  seal  the  next  day — 
we  lay-to  all  night — and  he  recovered  his  own  iron  si)earhead.  That  might  show  the 
distance  they  move  in,  say,  a  night,  because  it  diil  not  travel  far. 

45.  tj.  When  you  lower  your  boats  two  Indians  go  tf  a  canoe? — A.  Yes,  and  both 
paddle. 

46.  Q.  The  Indian  in  the  bow  keeps  his  spear  right  Ixd'ore? — A.  Yes. 

47.  Q.  And  he  throws  it  at  the  animal,  and  strikes  it  where? — A.  It  makes  no  dif- 
ference where  they  are  hit.     They  try  when  shooting  to  hit  in  the  head. 

48.  Q.  When  a  seal  is  struck,  or  wounded,  what  time  does  it  require  to  heal? — A. 
It  heals  very  rapidly. 

49.  Q.  Wiiat  time  does  it  require  to  get  the  seal  aboard  after  it  is  Kpeared? — A. 
Not  more  than  two  minutes  when  they  spear,  and  not  as  long  as  that  when  they 
shoot  it. 

50.  Q.  What  is  the  usual  length  of  the  sealing-boat? — A.  About  20  feet. 

51.  Q.  Andthecauoef — A.  About  22  feet. 

52.  Q.  Is  it  not  a  fact  that  sealing  in  these  small  boats  in  the  stormy  spring  months 
is  a  very  hazardous  undertaking? — A.  Yes. 

.53.  Q.  It  is  commonly  rejiorted  that  our  seal-hunters,  both  Whites  and  Indians, 
are  more  expert  than  any  others  on  the  coast? — A.  That  is  so.  They  are  the  most 
expert. 

54.  Q.  It  is  said  also  that  unless  the  weather  is  very  tempestuous  nothing  will 
retard  them? — A.  Yes;  they  go  out  every  ehan<'e  they  can  get. 

55.  Q.  The  loss  of  a  full-sized  skin  meant  the  last  two  years  how  much  to  the 
hunter? — A.  About  3  dollars  per  skin. 


REPORT    OF    lUUTISH    (JOMMISSIONKUS. 


OHO  "with 
H  inclined 
and  bIiouI- 

ling  only  a 
jne-half  of 

iters  is  not 
more  than 

No. 

t'  loss  than 

as  not  cor- 


April.have 
3»— A.  I  do 

\.  Between 
S  have  you 
n  otlierst — 
e  in  ninety, 
elliinn  that 
I  tlie  st'.a. 
iis  a  i'lMiiale 
,  iinU>«o  the 

own  to  have 
k  of  fenuiles 
erH  report  of 

.  Yes;  and  I 
,  iintl  I  have 
;  swim  about 
k  lonj;  as  the 
:e  the  young 
1  never  take 

Yes;  but 
it. 

iiiy  was  the 
to  say,  it 

'—A.  Yes;  I 
lUtl  his  line 
next  day — 
;ht  show  the 

es,  and  both 


lakes  uo  dif- 

to  heal  t— A. 

ipearedt — A. 
t  when  they 

at. 

)riug  months 

ind  Indians, 
ire  the  most 

nothing  will 

uch  to  the 


309 

bring 


56.  Q.  What  is  the  largi'Mt  nmnlM<r  wliioh  you  fxcr  smw  nii   Indian  (Mime 
aboard  in  onodayf — A.  I'Orl y-ri^rjit  in  one  ciiihm',  in  lli'liriiif;  Sen. 

57.  Q.  On  the  coast,  iiow  many  f — A.  'rhirtv-lonr:  llial  is  <>\  i  r  tlitMivcra;;(>. 

fiH.  y.  In  leavin;^  tiie  scliocun'r,  linw  (ar  d(»  \\\i'  Iiinilt  r,-*.  liotji  Iiidiiins  and  W'liifes, 
gof — A.  'I'liey  go  Hs  Car  as  10  or  11'  iiiiles,  s-  .idiincH  IT)  miles.  Irom  the  vcHscd,  till 
tlicy  ('.'in  jiiist  Mce  the  tops  of  her  r*iii]. 

.'>!•.  y.  And  tliis  in  jiretty  rough  wciitherif — A.  Vcs;  iirctty  roiigli.  It  migiit  be 
smooth  when  they  go  out,  Imt  it  often  roiiu'S  on  rough  ln'toic  ilicy  can  y;ct  hai'k. 

(>().  *i.  In  following  the  seals  up  tlie  I'oa.Ht,  in  Kehniary,  Maicii,  and  April,  and  .May 
and  .lune,  whore  do  you  begin  to  get  them  in  larger  nundiers? — A.  Oil  (^ueen  Char- 
lotte Islands. 

(il.  Q..  At  this  time,  are  the  fenuihis  in  adviun'c  of  the  nuiles,  seemingly  hastening 
to  the  seat — A.  They  get  through  as  soon  as  tliey  can,  the  males  in  advance  of  the 
females — tiiey  haul  out  hrst. 

()2.  Q.  Some  sealers  think  tin;  cows  go  aheadf — A.  The  males  haul  out,  and  each 
one  gets  his  batch  of  females,  and  as  tiie  cows  come  in  thi^y  make  up  their  herd  of 
fenuiles. 

63.  (^.  Have  you  ever,  when  with  scalers,  heard  the  percentage  of  Ions  talked  off — 
A.  No;  I  have  never  heard  it  mc^ntioned  with  sealeis. 

64.  Q.  Yon  speak  from  your  experience  with  Imlians?  Your  percentage  of  lo.s8  of 
1  in  10  wonll  he  based  on  actual  exiicrieiic(i  witii  Indian  hunters.' — A.   Ses;  1  in  10. 

(ir>.  l^.  Vou  luive  stated  that  in  the  nioutii  of  May  you  tliink  tiiere  would  \h:  more 
fenuiles  than  in  the  other  months  of  tin'  season.'  At  tliat  time  what  part  of  the 
ocean  would  you  bef— A.   Uj)  oil'  t/ueen  Ciiarlolte   Island. 

6(5.  Q.  You  have  also  stated  that  tiu;  iniU'c  plentitiil  the  food,  the  slower  the  seals 
travel. — A.  Yes;  they  stay  longer  where  the  looil  is. 

(i7.  Q.  At  the  end  of  any  of  your  seasons,  have  you  actually  counted  the  number 
of  females  you  had  in  your  cargof — A.  1  liav«!  never  done  so. 

68.  V.  Have  you  any  idea  of  your  last  year's  catcii,  what  ^iroportion  of  females 
you  had  in  the  coast  catch f — A.  I  think  thi're  woiilil  lie  aboiii  ;{  males  in  .5 — '.\  males 
to  2  females. 

list.  Q.  That  a])i)lies  to  the  coast  cat<'h  only? — A.   Ves;  u])  to  Kodiak. 

70.  Q..  In  the  lUdiring  Sea.  what  jn'oportion  would  it  bear? — A.  1  think  about  4 
males  in  5 — 4  males  to  1  female. 

71.  t^.  Were  you  in  Hehring  Sea  last  year  ? — A.  The  vessel  was.  TIk"  way  I  account 
for  getting  so  many  males  was,  during  tlie  luiginning  of  .)ul.\  and  \ui;ust,  when  the 
females  would  be  ashore  nursing  their  young  the  ureater  part  of  the  time. 

72.  Q.  At  Jiny  time  in  Behring  Sea,  what  has  been  your  nearest  point  of  hnuting 
to  the  seal  islaudsf — A.  I  have  never  l)een  closer  in  hunting  than  Hi)  miles — usually 
30  to  90  miles  oil".  We  got  blown  in  there  once,  the  only  time  I  saw  the  island;  we 
were  within  10  miles  of  them  then. 

73.  Q.  You  never  saw  or  lieard  of  any  schooiuus,  or  spoke  any  schooner,  who  made 
aboastof  raiding  the  islands^ — A.  None  itelongiug  (ous.  I  heard  of  the  "Webster," 
"Mollie  Adams,"  the  "Hamilton  Lewis,"  and  t!u;  (iernian  schoouer  "  Adide"  raiding 
the  islands. 

74.  Q.  All  these  were  American  schooners? — A.  Yes;  exce])t  the  "A<IMe." 

7.5.  Q.  There  is  no  doubt,  then,  among  sealers,  that  these  vessels  did  actually  raid 
the  islands. — A.  It  has  heen  commonly  reiiortcid,  aiul  I  have  no  reason  to  disbelieve  it. 

76.  Q.  Did  any  of  those  vessels  at  that  time  belong  to  Victoria f — A.  No;  they  did 
not. 

77.  Q.  Can  yon  advance  any  idea  as  to  whiui  the  seals  leave  ISehring  Seal — A.  To 
the  best  of  my  knowledge ,,jii»t)ut  the  niddic  of  October. 

233  78.  Q.  Is  it  the  accepted  idea  that  those  seals  which  leave   Hehriug  Sea  in 

the  fall  are  the  same  that  return  in  the  spring f — ,\.    That  is  !uy  oiiinion. 

79.  Q.  You  have  never  heard  at  any  time  any  inilueiMnent  ever  olli  1(^1  hy  a  capl'iin 
or  sailor  from  Victoria  to  shij)  men  or  to  perform  any  work  wilh  the  inteiiti(  :■  o! 
raiding  those  islands? — A.  Not  from  a  Canadian  vessel. 

80.  l}.  It  is  a  fact  that  every  8hii)-owner  ami  master  of  Canadian  vessels  has  depre- 
cated the  raiding  of  the  islands,  tliat  is,  have  never  agieed  with  it ' — \.  'I'liey  do  iu)t 
agree  with  it  at  all.  Kvery  oiu'  1  liave  spoken  to  are  very  well  satislied  to  go  into 
the  sea  and  get  their  catch  legitimately. 

81.  Q.  You  think  there  is  ample  licld  for  hunling  seals  without  riiidiiig  the 
islands? — A.  Yes,  I  do. 

82.  Q.  Is  it  your  opinion,  Ca]itain  i.aing,  that,  with  the  increased  numlx-r  of 
schooners  here  and  in  San  Fraju'isco,  there  will  bo  any  material  injury  to  the  sealing 
industry? — A.  I  do  not  think  so. 

83.  Q.  From  observations  nuido  last  year,  you  are  (|uito  of  the  opinion  that  the 
seals  were  more  plentiful  than  you  had  ever  seen  them  before? — A.  They  wore  more 
plentiful  last  year,  181)1,  than  the  year  before,  1890. 


!10 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


n 


?<  Q.  Ih  there  any  way  yon  can  acrount  for  that? — A.  None  whatever,  nnlrss  it 
is  the  Miiiii'i  as  with  ai  v  Hpi  .icH  of  fmh ;  Honie  yenrH  yon  get  more  than  otherH.  Tliere 
ill  no  ai'('<>iintin<!  for  it. 

Hr>.  V.  K'fl'irriiij,'  ti>  tlic  nuinlxT  of  fciiialeB  caiiKht  in  thf  Hprin;;,  iht'Tr  are  i|iiiti'  a 
nnnili*"-  of  the  ft-inale  Mt-a's  iiarrt-n,  or  iiavc  never  liorne  yonn^;?  Von  have  noticed 
itf — A.  Yes;  Home  are  barren  that  lia\eh:iil  vonng.  aii>l  otiierH  that  liave  not  liorne. 

86.  t^.  Wlieii  yon  Npeali  of  tiie  proportion  of  leniales  killed,  you  mean  the  liarren 
rowH  HH  well  as  those  that  ar«  hearliij:  yonn;^f — A.   Yes. 

87.  Q.  Have  you  formed  any  idea  of  the  f;eneral  average  or  pcreeiituKe  of  females 
carrying  yotinij  killed  in  A])ril  and  May  ?— A.  1  conld  not  form  any  idea. 

88.  y.  Nor  of  harriMi  eowsf— A.  No,  Sir. 

89.  Q.  Would  yon  hazard  a  statement  that  all  the  females,  hoth  hearing  and  harren 
cowB,  were  certainly  less  than  the  male  seals  takeuf — A.  Yes;  certainly  less  in 
number. 

90.  Q.  If  any  one  were  to  make  the  bold  statement  that  for  every  male  seal  killed 
there  is  a  female  killed,  would  it  he  correet.^— .\.  That  would  not  he  eorreet. 

91.  Q.  You  have  not  licani  any  e^timate  of  th(<  jxTcentage  of  harren  females  as 
comparol  with  the  hearing  cows  killed  f— A.  There  are  less  of  the  hairiMi  cowii  killed 
in  the  spring  than  Iheie  are  in  the  lall.  I  don't  think  that  they  go  as  far  south  as 
the  cows  that  hear  young. 

'••2.  Q.  Yor.  say  that  in  Hehring  Sea  the  males  pri^ponderatef — A.  Yes. 

93.  i}.  Y.)U  cannot  aceount  for  this,  yon  say,  (!Xeept  it  be  that  the  fenuiles  ;irp  all 
ashore  hearing  youngf — \.  The  males  we  get  in  the  sea  are  all  3-  or  4-ycar-olds, 
■which  the  old  wigs  would  not  h^t  ashore  at  all. 

91.  Q.  Are  thi're  any  "  rook>  rjes  "  along  the  eoatt  of  any  extent? — A.  I  have  imv<!r 
heard  of  one  this  side  o*"  th.  .'^hnniaiiin  Islands. 

9.5.  Q.  Year  alter  year,  hunting,  then,  do  yon  find  them  travelling  along  the  same 
course t — A.  Yes,  where  their  food  is,  fntm  1.5  tc  35  miles  out. 

9().  Q.  Yonr  opinion  is  that  the  jicreentage  of  loss  as  conii)ared  with  th.ise  hit 
wonhl  not  exceed  10  pcT  eent.  with  Indian  huntersf — A.  How  do  you  mean  lost? 

97.  Q.  Yon  say  a  seal  hit  and  not  killed  is  not  lost  if  it  eseapes?— A.  Yes. 

98.  Q.  Then  the  proportion  of  loss  in  projjortion  to  those  killed  is  ahcnt  how 
much — 10  per  cent,  f — A.   It  does  not  exceed  that. 

99.  Q.  In  the  ni'..uher  killed  during  the  ditVerent  months  of  the  season,  what  is 
the  proportion  of  males  to  females? — ,\.  Three  males  to  two  females. 

100.  Q.  As  to  the  abstention  of  Canadian  sealers  from  raiding  the  seal  islands,  you 
are  quite  positive  that  from  your  knowledge  of  se.aling-vessel  owners  and  mast(Ms, 
yon  give  it  as  your  direct  opinion  that  no  Canadian  sealers  ever  raideil  thosti  islands. 
Y'ou  would  say  ao  upon  oath  in  Court  f — A.  They  ncfvcr  did  to  my  knowledge. 

101.  C^.  If  such  a  thing  had  been  attem]>ted,  it  woiihl,  as  a  matter  of  iact,  have 
leaked  out? — A.  Yes;  it  stands  to  rea.sou  the  crews  would  have  been  unable  to  keej) 
it  to  themselves. 

102.  \\  They  would  tell  it  either  to  their  associates  on  board  or  after  getting 
ashore f- -A.  They  conld  not  keeji  it. 

103.  Q.  Vfter  the  hunters  ;,'et  aboard  at  .light,  they  usually  recount  wlu^ther  they 
lost  any  se  ils,  and  in  speaking  of  their  loss  it  would  mean  those  seals  that  would 
sink,  not  tl'ose  that  escape? — A.  If  they  lost  any,  they  would  not  te'l  it  at  all,  but 
if  they  sui  i<  any,  they  would  s)>eak  of  it. 

104.  Q.    »'ou  are  at  present  a  ship-owner,  Ca]>tain  LaMijr? — A.  Yes. 

105.  Q.  Yon  have  had  great  opportunities  of  hearing  from  .all  sources  matter  rela- 
tive to  the  seal  (ishingt — A.  Yes. 

lOf).  Q.  Has  it  been  noticed  that  the  skins  taken  last  ye.ar  in  the  llehring  Sea  were 
enialler  than  usual? — A.  About  the  same  general  Hize. 

107.  Q.  Is  it  generally  known  that  the  seals  caught  on  tie  Copjier  Island  arc  better 
than  the  average? — A.  I  liave  never  seen  them,  but  it  is  re])orted  they  ari?  Itetter. 

108.  Q.  It  is  rejiorted  also  that  seals  caught  in  .lanuary,  M:Mch,  and  .April  ai'e  belter 
than  any  in  IJehring  Sea;  they  say  the  fur  is  better! — A.  They  say  so,  but  I  don't 
know  th.at  you  can  see  any  ditference. 

109.  Q.  It  has  been  said  that  the  fur  of  the  seals  caught  during  the  winter  and 
spring  months  is  light  ?    The  fur  of  all  animals  in  cold  climatch  is  thicker  in  winter? — 

A.  I  have  never  noticed  th.at  with  seals. 
234  110.  Q.  A  ff.sx  years  ago  it  was  said  that  the  Bchring  Sea  skins  were  the 

best? — A.  It  has  been  so  rejiorted,  but  I  don't  think  there  is  any  dilVerenc(\ 

111.  Q.  The  "grey  pup'  of  this  ye.ir  will  bo  a  "brown  pup'  next  year  f— A.  Yes; 
a  "2-year-old"  or  "  brown  i>up.'* 

112.  Q.  Ho  the  hunters  usually  follow  the  grey  pups  with  the  same  zeal  as  they  do 
the  other  seals? — A.  They  can't  tell  the  difterence  till  thi'y  are  actually  "on  top  of 
them." 

113.  Q.  And  thoy  are  apt  to  shoot  little  as  well  as  big? — A.  Yes;  everything  they 
come  across. 


I 


ir,  uiilfSH  it 
ci-H.     Tlicro 

:iro  (jniti'  n 
live  notict^d 
'.  not  lioriii'. 

tl.o  liarreii 

a  of  foiniilos 


;  ;inrt  Itiirreii 
inly  less  in 

0  HPiil  killed 
ivct. 

1  rt'iiialcs  ns 
1  cowit  kiiii'il 
t'iir  Houth  U8 


males  are  all 
4-year-()l(lH, 

I  have  iiover 

inff  tlie  sanio 

111  tl-  ISO  liit 

<'an  lost  i 

Yes. 

s  abciit  liow 

1801),  what  is 

1  islands,  you 
\iid  masters, 
iiose  islands, 
ledije. 

of  fact,  liavo 
al)lo  to  kei!]) 

ifter  fifottiiig 

rtlu^tlier  lliey 

that  would 

t  at  all,  but 


matter  rcla- 

iiig  Pea  were 

nd  are  better 
lire  Ix'lter. 
)ril  ai'(^  better 
I,  but  I  don't 

o  winter  and 
•in  winter? — 

;itis  were  the 

ilVerenee. 
ar^— A.  Yes; 

^:il  as  they  do 
ly  "on  top  of 

srj'thing  they 


HKPOKT    OF    HIUTISII    COMMISSIONF.US. 


311 


111.  Q.  \V(fre  the  Indian  liiinlers  inorr  sneeessfiil  last  year  than  Whitosf— A.  No, 
they  were  not.  It  was  a  "st  ind  oil"  Itetwecn  them.  I'lic  only  dillireiK^e  Is  that  the 
W'hilt's  will  risk  more  tliaii  the  Indians. 

ll."i.  </.  Tlie  (expensive  waives,  cost  of  i)nttittin<r  sejiooners,  ennsidered,  don't  you 
think  that  1  dollars  per  skin  a  hi;;li  figure  for  hunter't!^ — A.  It  is. 

lit).  Q.  How  many  boats  does  the  avera<;e  Hohooner  carry  f — A.  About  six  and  the 
stern  l)oat. 

117.  Q.  And  each  boat  t.'ikes  three  white  ment — A.  Yes,  a  hunter,  a  boat-jiullor, 
and  a  boatsteere'-. 

118.  *.).  The  ship  furnishes  the  boat,  utins,  and  ontlitf — A.  Yea,  the  wlinh;  outfit  of 
Uiins,  ammunition,  provisions,  wages  for  the  two  men,  and  pays  the  hunter  so  uiiieh 
)>i!r  skin. 

ll!t.  C^.  At  the  jiresent  time,  how  mindi  per  skint — A.  3  to  4  dollars. 

IJO.  (.{.  With  Indian  crews? — A.  They  furnish  their  ow!i  canoe,  sj)ears,  and  outfit; 
one  Indi.'in  steers;  but  the  vessel  finds  them  in  provisions  onlj'.  The  last  twoor  threo 
seasons  some  vessels  have  supplied  >;uns  and  ammunition. 

121.  i).  DiH's  the  Indian  get  4  dollars  per  skin;  does  he  out  «)f  that  p.-iy  his  own 
hoat-heiperf — A.  Yes,  he  pays  out  of  his  rate  per  skin.  The  ship  pays  the  steerer 
nothing. 

12'-'.  ().  Therefore,  if  the  Indian  crews  were  as  ])rofitable,  they  are  the  cheapest; 
if  they  get  as  many  skinsf — A.   Yes,  if  you  ran  get  them. 

V2'.i.  ti.  Is  the  Indian  a  good  hunter,  in  your  experieneeV — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

121.  (.).  Hold  and  intrepid  f — ,\.  Yea,  wlien  lie  is  in  his  canoe  nothing  will  scare 
him.  I  have  seen  an  (dd  liull  si>a1  capsi/e  a  canoe,  and  the  Indians  would  get  into  it 
again,  bail  the  water  out   and  go  on  hunting  as  though  nothing  had  ha])pi;ned. 

12.5.  Q.  Is  the  Indian  la7,y,  or  does  he  seem  anxious  to  proceed  in  the  hunt  from 
day  to  day!— A.  In  tine  weather,  yes,  bnt  when  the  sea  is  "choppy"  ho  would 
usually  rather  stay  aboard. 

12(J.  Q.  His  canoe  is  not  ([uite  so  strong  as  the  soaling-boatf — A.  No,  not  quite. 

127.  Q.  Have  there  been  numy  accidenta  among  the  Indians — loss  of  life  f — A.  Not 
since,  1  think,  1H87,  when  a  schooner  foundered  with  all  a  hoard. 

12K.  Q.  Doycu  think  that  as  the  years  pass  along  the  Indians,  as  well  as  the  Whites, 
get  more  exjiert  in  aeal-huntingf — A.  Yes,  they  do. 

12!).  (^.  Notwithstanding  all  the  ships  in  the  lleet  on  the  o<can,  you  would  adhere 
to  your  statement  that  you  don't  think  tiicre  is  any  notice.'ible  decrease  in  the  number 
of  seals? — A.  Yes;  I  do  not  think  so.  If  the  vessels  had  lieen  let  alone  in  Hehring 
Sea  last  year,  we  would  have  had  a  i)iggor  catch  than  any  previous  year. 

130.  q!  Do  you  think.  Captain  Laiug,  if  they  would  cease  killing  seals  on  the 
rribylolT  Islands  it  would  increase  the  number  of  seals  on  the  coast? — A.  I  think  it 
would. 

1:51.  Q.  If  the  rookeries  were  undisturbed  by  anything,  you  think  the  seals  would 
be  more  plentiful? — A.  I  do. 

132.  (^.  Have  you  any  opinicm  to  ott'er  as  to  killing  seals  on  the  islands  doing  more 
harm  than  anything  else*? — A.  I  thinlc  the  Ameri<'an  people  are  doing  more  harm  by 
killing  seals  and  interfering  with  them  on  their  rookeries  or  seal  islands  than  we 
hunters  do  on  the  coaet. 

133.  Q.  You  have  never  heard  of  any  rookery  along  the  coast? — A.  I  never  hoard 
of  one.  There  is  a  rookery  of  sea-lion  olf  Queen  Charlotte  Island,  but  I  never  heard 
of  any  of  seals. 

(Signed)  A.  D.  Laino. 

Sworn  before  me,  this  25th  day  of  January,  A.  d.  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  E.  Milne,  Collector  of  Customs. 


January  S5,  1892. 

William  Cox,  present  master  of  the  schooner  "Sapphire,"  of  Victoria,  called  and 
examined  by  Collector  Milne: 

1.  Q.  Yon  are  engaged  in  the  sealing  business,  Captain  Cox? — A.  Yes,  1  have  been 
master  of  the  sealing-schoonor  "  Sapphire"  for  the  last  four  years. 

2.  Q.  How  many  boats  do  you  carry  in  your  outfit? — A.  I  carry  canoes  and  an 
Indian  crew. 

3.  Q.  With  the  exception  of  how  many  white  men  to  navigfatet — A.  Seven  white 
people  I  carry  for  navigating  the  vessel. 

4.  Q.  The  number  of  Indians? — A.  The  last  two  years  I  have  had  twenty-eight 
north  to  Behring  Sea. 

5.  Q.  And  how  many  canoes? — A.  Fourteen  canoes. 

6.  Q.  Had  you  more  canoes  on  the  coast? — A.  Yes,  I  have  had  twenty-four  canoes 
while  on  the  coast. 


312 


UErORT    OP    HKITISII    COMMISSIONKIJS. 


7.  Q.  WliiMi  you  lluiill.v  Iciivci  for  nctirinii  Sea,  you  drop  a  hiiihImm'  of  the  Indians, 
and  only  Uikv  iil)oiit  (om-trcii  tMnnrH  with  vonT — A.  Yes. 

S.  (,).    I«)  you  pit'l'cr  Iniliiui  i  ^(^\vM  to  wiiitc  men? — A.   ^'ch,  I  do. 
'235  !t.  (}.   Wliiit  iirn  your  riMsdiiH  I'oi  the  lucl'i'ifnccf— A.   Woli.  I  ,i,'ol   Jilon;;  bet- 

ter witli  tlicui  lor  one  ihiiii;-:  liicn  is  iiiorf  honour  iuiioml;  t  hem  Mian  unionj; 
the  averafi;e  wliite  crew  in  tiiis  luisiiiess.  'i  hey  ilon'l  niake  an  M;;reenienl  to-diiy,  and 
luealv  it  lo-niorrow  if  they  see  :i  liiiiiieo  (o  inalie  a  lillh'  more. 

1(1.  ().  Ami  lh(<y  don't  (|uarrel  iiuionjj;  tliemselves.'-  .\.  No;  and  you  can  <;oncrally 
trust  tiieui  more. 

11.  (}.    Tiiey  are  more  pmlihilde,  loo,  are  t'  -y  not*  -A.   Yes,  a.  little  more. 

12.  (,).  They  ruruish  tlieir  own  canoes  i" — A.  Y<'s.  and  speais  and  hoalnien;  and  it 
is  not  sucji  a  lioavy  out  lit,  but  their  eanoes  are  li,i;ht  and  easily  broken  by  tlie  heavy 
st>as. 

j;{.  (.J.  rht>y  are  better  th,ni  aboard  a  larf^e  vessel '--.V.  Yes,  but  you  have  t(»  bo 
very  earel'ul— the  canoes  are  "duj^-ouls"'  and  easily  s]ialter<'d. 

II.  (,>.  A])arl  from  fietlinn  aloiii;  eas.er  with  Ihi'  Indians,  the  exiierieni'o  is  just 
about  !lll^  same  as  with  the  while  crewif — .\.  Yes,  the  skins  cost  about  tiie  same  in 
the  end. 

15.  Q.  Do  the  Indian  crews  veiiture  out  durinj;  the  stormy  weatlior  as  much  as  the 
white  nienf— A.  Yes,  almost  as  freely.  I  have  had  the  same  crew  so  long  now  that 
they  will  do  anytliinj;'  I  wish  them  to  ihi. 

l(i.  *.)..  Do  you  take  them  down  the  <'oast? — A.  Yes,  and  up  the  coast  and  on  into 
Behriiifj;  Sea. 

17.  (i.  They  spear  all  their  seals? — A.  The  greater  number  of  them,  yes,  butsomo- 
times  shoot;   they  sjie.'ir  all  the  ";.leepers." 

\i<.  (J.  WhiU  iirojiorlion  do  you  think  Iheyshooti! — A.  'I'iiey  shoot  probably  twenty 
out  of  the  hnn<lred;  but  1  think  now  thti  lleet  is  )i;(>ttinjf  so  l.ir;;e  there  are  more 
wi  'je  seals,  that  eonsetiuently  tiiey  did  nnoe  shooting;  with  me  last  year  than  ever 
be    >re.     They  never  shoot  a  sleeping' seal. 

1  .  Cj>.  Do  you  think  the  seals  are  getting  more  shy  on  account  of  the  larger  lleet  of 
voRselsf — A.  Yes,  th(>v  are  much  nunc  shy. 

20.  (.,>.  Do  the  Indians  a]iproach  theseals  from  let>w;ird? — A.  No;  th<>  Indian  always 
goes  "across  on  the  wind;"  he  pulls  u]i  almost  in  range  of  it,  and  goes  across  tiu; 
wind.  They  have  a  sort  of  idea  that  the  seal  sleeps  witli  one  eye  oi)en,  hence  the 
way  tlH\v  a]ijtroach. 

21.  y.  AVhen  they  lieavp  the  s])ear,  the  baib  holds  fast? — A.  Yes;  if  they  strike 
ihe  seal  at  all,  they  cannot  lose  it. 

22.  Q.  Ther(>t'iire  the  ]iercenlage  M'  seals  killed  by  Indians  and  lost  would  be  very 
snuill? — A.  1  wonhl  really  count  it  nolhing.  If  they  did  lose  one  by  ihe spear  pulling 
out  of  the  bliililier  it  would  not  kill  the  seal,  a.4  it  lieals  so  (|ui<'kly  again. 

23.  t,>.   I'he  barb  holds  them,  and  they  have  no  chance  to  sink? — A.   Yes. 

21.  CJ.  Therel'or<*  the  percentage  of  loss  is  nothing? — A  I  would  not  reckon  it 
ai;ylhing. 

25.  Q.  The  loss  tlioy  make  is  only  when  tiring  at  a  travelling  seal? — A.  Yes. 

2(!.  Q.  .Vnd  that  loss  would  be  by  the  animal  escaping? —A.  ^es. 

27.  tj.  Yon  would  not  consider  it  lust,  then? — A.  No;  if  not  hit  in  a  vital  part  it 
is  not  lost,  for  tht>  Indian  lires  at  a  close  range,  and  tlieit^  aie  two  in  a  boat,  !ind 
almost  sure  of  it  belore  the  shot  is  tired,  because  they  can't  sink  far  before  they  are 
right  on  to  it. 

2S.  (.,>.  So  the  pcrcenfag<>  of  the  seals  lost  by  Indian  hunt(i.-  "sleeping"  and  not 
"  tra> 'lling.''  would  bi<  how  much? — A.  With  steeping  seals  tber;>  is  no  loss.'  In 
travelling  seals  ther<>  are  none  lost,  only  in  escaping.  Last  year  1  saw  a  great  num- 
ber of  seals  brongiit  in  that  liad  been  shot  belore. 

2!t.  (J.  From  iicrsonal  liuowledge  and  observation,  you  are  satisfied  tJint  a  ilesh- 
wound  nuide  in  the  seal  wtuibl  heal  rapidly  and  ncit  injure  the  seal? — A.  Yes;  I  he  shot 
seems  to  strike  in  tli(>  fatly  jiarts  or  blnidier,  and  does  not  seem  to  hurt  the  animal, 
as  it  closes  over  anil  soon  heals. 

HO.  Q.  In  the  months  of  I'ebruary,  March,  and  April,  have  you  seen  a  m.-irked 
number  of  feniale  seals  bearing, \  oung  killed? — .\.   Yes;    n  winter  there  are  a  number. 

31.  CJ.  Does  that  nu'an  "barren"  cows? — A.  No;  on  toe  coast  we  get  theui  "witli 
young."     1  have  not  seen  many  "  barren  cows"  out  In  I'c  in  w  inter. 

32.  Q.  During  the  months  of  I'ebruary,  Maiel:,  and  .Njiril,  what  would  you  say 
was  the  i)roi)ortion  of  males  to  t'emalcs? — A.  I  have  only  diine  ojie  winter's  sealing, 
and  that  winter  they  would  be  fully  out'-half  t'lUiiales  during  I'ebruary  and  March. 

33.  (,j>.  That  is,  there  would  be  as  many  females  as  bulls  and  grey  |>u|is? — A.  Yes; 
1  have  never  seen  a  female  grey  ])U|)  on  the  coast.  That  is  i.  yearling  grey  female 
seal;  that  is  corroborated  by  tlie  Indians.  All  the  yearlings  seen  by  nie  have  been 
nuiles. 

34.  Q.  That  is  well  known,  you  say,  by  the  Indians? — A.  Oh,  yes.  Tliev  leuiark 
tbit. 


REPORT    OF    ItUITISH    COMMISSIONKRS. 


313 


e  TiidiiiiiH, 


laii  anions 
o-(lii\ ,  iiiul 

1  ^■•Mierjilly 

10. 

icii;  and  it 
•  the  lit'a\  y 

l)avo  to  bo 

nco  is  Just 
he  sanui  in 

inch  a^  the 
g  now  that 

and  on  into 

H,  butHoino- 

ibly  twiMity 
•e  ure  more 
\,r  than  over 

n'ji;er  llt'ct  of 

dian  always 
I  across  tiu'. 
I,  lidiu'c  thi> 

they  strilio 

nld  bo  very 
car  pnlliiig 


t  reckon  it 

Yes. 

[ital  part  it 
a  lioat,  and 
)re  they  are 

"  and  not 
hiss.'    In 
Ifjrcat  nnnt- 

jiat  a  lU'sh- 
(es;  lilt- shot 
l]w  animal, 

a  marked 

I  a  number, 

kieui  '•  with 

Id  yon  say 
(r's'scvilint!;, 
Id  March. 

-A.  Yes; 
jrey  t'einalo 
have  been 

ley  lemark 


38.  Q.  l^iit  tlieio  is  a  l.irger  imniber  of  males  killed  flian  females  in  A])  'il,  May,  and 
Jnnef — A.  Yes;  in  those  three  montlis  wo  };et  a  hiiffcr  uiimlier  of  mahs;  bulls  from 
3  to  1  years  old  ;  all  aliont  the  same  Hi/(\ 

I!!).  C^.  ^'our  oiiinion  is  tli.'it  tiie  (Viiiales,  .after  the  mouth  of  May,  hasten  on  to  the 
Ib'hrini;  S»>a?--A.  Yes. 

40.  t,>.  Now,  from  the  betjinninp  of  the  sialing  Reason,  Alien  yon  start  out  this 
time  of  year  (.laiuiaiy  l,  till  the  time  you  enter  lU-hriii.ir  Sea,  .vliat  i«  your  ojiiuion  .as 
to  t he  ]icrrciitajie  of  I'emali' seals,  iueliidiiiK'  both  beanuj;  and  biirren  cows,  kille<lf 
What  would  be  the  )>ropnili(ut  of  I'miale  seals,  iiiehnlin^  both  Ixiarinij  and  barren 
cows,  killed?  \Nlnit  w<)iil<l  be  th"  ])ropoi'tion  of  females  as  compared  with  the 
bullslf— A.   I.'ifiiht  u])  to  the  Shuma^^in  Islaiidsf 

U.  (■).  Y«is.  Would  it  be  (!()  per  eeiil.,  or  70  jier  cent.,  or  what? — A.  Yes,  I  think 
it  would  be  about  t),^>  or  70 per  cent,  of  males,  and  tho  remainder  mixed  cowb — bear- 
in;j  and  liarren  cows. 

42.  CJ|.  About  what  |ierceii(a^:e  of  barren  eowsT— A.  I  think  .•ibonte(inally  divided  ; 
about  1.5  jier  cent,  of  barren  and  !.'>  jicr  cent,  of  bearing  cowh,  and  70  per  cent,  of 
bulls,  would  ]in"tty  near  re|ireseiit  th(^  catch  on  the  upper  nnd  lower  coast. 

43.  Q.  There,  is  an  opinion  exiuessed  that  a  seal  i  up  will  not  swim  ;  some  peo]>le  say 
aof — A.   I   have  seen  three  with  their  <lauis  ii:  the  water  on  thu  Ahskan  co.'ist. 

236  44.  Q.  How  far  from  shore  t — A,  40  or  ;")()  niles  from  shore,  in  the  month  of 

June. 

4.5,  Q.  Is  it  your  opinion  that  they  would  beboni  in  tho  waterT — .\.  YeH,orontho 
kelp.  Seals  mate,  in  the  water,  sleep  in  the  water,  and  I  have  h<M>n  pups  taken  from 
the  dead  niolher  on  the  vessel,  and  thrown  ovt  rboard  and  swir.i  about  awhile  in  the 
water.  I  iiavo  watched  such  jinjis  swim  about  for  half-an-hoiir  or  more.  They 
seemed  to  have  no  dilliculty  in  swimuiiuji, 

4t>.  (),.  Yon  have  never  seen  or  heard  of  a  Canadian  sealiiig-achooner  attempting  to 
raid  the  I'liliyloll'  Islaiidsf — A.  1  have  never  beard  of  one. 

47.  Q.  If  sindi  a  tliinj;-  had  been  done  or  at  lennded  it  would  b«  sure  to  be  known 
aiiionjj  sealers?— A.   Yes;  it  would  be  imixissible  to  keep  it  a  secret. 

IK.  Q,.  Is  it  your  o])iiiion  that  our  sliiji-owners  anil  ninstcrs  have  done  everything 
they  ccnild  jiossibly  do  to  discourage  anything  of  Ihatkiudt — A.   Yes;  everything. 

49.  Q.  What  has  been  the  general  distance  yon  hav(- sealed— the  diNtance  from  the 
seal  islands?— A.  1' rom  100  to  ItO  miles.  1  was  within  80  miles  of  them  last  year; 
that  was  the  nearest  1  was  to  tlieiii. 

50.  Q.  of  course  your  men  on  hoard  woi.^d,  if  they  had  ever  been  engaged  in  such 
raiding  of  the  islands,  ciirtainly  have  told  their  fellowst — A.  Yes,  it  woiikl  soon  have 
become  known. 

51.  C,>.  It  is  well  known  to  all  sealers  that  certain  schooners  Lave  raided  those 
islands?— A.   Yes,  during  IKS'.)  and  18!)0. 

51'*.  Q.  Do  yon  reiiicnibcr  what  their  names  are?— A.  Yes;  the  American  schooner 
"MoUie  Adams,"  "(icorge  K.  White,"  and  others. 

b'2.  t^.  Do  you  remember  any  other  schooner  raiding  the  islandst — A.  Yes;  the 
German  sidiooiier  "Adele." 

53.  Q.  It  was  well  known  that  it  was  a  German  vesscdT — A.  Oh,  yes. 

54.  (^.  'i'hose  American  vessels  that  raided  the  I'ribylolf  Islands  recruited  tlieir 
crews — whore?— A.   I    tiiink  the  "  Mollie  Adams"  recruited  her  crew  at  ( '  loucester. 

55.  Q.  In  the  United  States? — A.  Yes;  she  (it  led  up  in  rortTowiisend,  Washington. 
5(!.  C^.  Did  yon  ever  hear  of  any  Ann^rican  vessels  tit  ting  out  at  Sand  I'oiut  to  raid 

the  islands? — A.   I  do  not  ;\;;>ein  ler  it. 

57.  C^.   Were  you  ordered  oil.  cf  Hehring  Sea  last  year? — yV.   Yes. 

58.  y.   By  whom? — A.  'i'lie  lint  isli  steamer  "  I'orpoise." 

.59.  Q.  On  being  ordered  out  of  the  Sea,  you  immediately  complied? — A.  Yes;  I 
came  right  away. 

()0.  (i>.  Did  you  lower  your  boats  afterwards? — A.  I  did  not.  I  caui.  right  out  of 
the  Sea. 

fil.  9.  What  month  was  that?— A.  9fh  August. 

flU.  Q.  Had  you  not  been  order(  d  out,  wore  you  in  good  hunting  ground  t — A.  Oh, 
yes. 

(!3.  Q.  Were  the  seals  plentiful  at  the  time  yon  were  warned;  that  is,  as  plentiful 
ai  you  had  previously  seen  them? — A.  Yes;  Just  as  thick  as  ever. 

tit.  Q.  What  was  your  catch  up  to  the  time  you  were  warned  out? — A.  2,434  in 
lU'hring  Sea. 

(15.  ii.  What  wa.i  your  coast  catch? — A.  1,008  on  tho  coast,  and  2,434  in  tL»  Sea. 

Oti.  Q.  Had  yon  been  unmohisted  for  another  thii'ty  days  your  chances  wer«  gi-c..] 
for  A  large  catch? — A.  Yes;  oiir  chances  were  good  for  quite  doubling  our  ciitch. 

07.  (;.  Vour  princijial  urouiid  for  sealing  yon  found — where?— A.  About  100  miles 
westward  of  tho  Islands  ot'  St.  ^Veorge  and  St.  I'aiil.     1  took  l,(i(M)  in  tour  days  there. 

(j8.  y.  Duiiug  that  time,  when  you  were  getting  seals  so  quickly,  was  your  per- 

c  than  ou  tho  coast? — A. 


contage  of  loss  greater 


No;  they  were  very  quiet. 


314 


REPORT  OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


im 


6f).  Q,  Yon  hnvo  stated  that,  from  yonr  personal  observation,  you  think  the  seals 
were  as  plentiful  last  year  as  yon  have  ever  seen  them  in  Behring  Sea? — A.  Yes; 
miicli  raoro  so  tiiiiii  I  ever  saw  them  before. 

70.  Q.  More  so  at  a  distance  of  100  to  130  miles  from  the  nearest  seal  island? — A. 
Yea. 

7i.  Q.  What  course  would  that  lie  from  the  PribylotT  Islands? — A.  About  west. 

72.  Q.  At  the  time  you  were  seal  ing:  there  were  tliero  any  other  Canadian  schooners 
in  your  company  ? — A.  Yes ;  the  "Annie  C.  Moore,"  tlie  "  Carmelite,"  and  the  "Ariel." 
They  had  all  an  average  catcli. 

73.  O.  Have  you  ever  heard  of  the  McLeans  raiding  Copper  Islands? — A.  Yes. 

74.  y.  Do  you  believe  they  did  actually  raid  them? — A.   Vos. 

7.5.  Q.  Di(i  you  hear  the  story  of  their  going,  with  three  boats  of  the  "Webster" 
and  "  City  of  San  Diego  "  in  a  crowd,  landing  at  a  passage  between  the  rocks  and 
the  mainland  of  the  island,  and  standing  there,  wli(?ro  the  water  was  swift,  and 
shooting  the  seals  iis  they  passedtbrou^;!!? — A.  Yes;  but  they  lost  a  great  many.  The 
captain  of  the;  "  San  Uiego  "  said  that  they  didn't  get  one- tenth  of  what  they  shot. 

76.  Q.  It  is  the  prevailing  opinion  among  the  sealers  that  the  ".I.  Hamilton  Lewis" 
was  seized  for  landing  on  the  islands? — A.  Yes;  the  Uussiaus  had  been  watching 
her.     She  was  sci/ed  for  actually  raiding  the  islands. 

77.  Q.  You  didn't  go  tr.  the  Copper  Island  side  at  all? — A.  I  did  not. 

78.  Q.  In  leaving  i'ehring  >Sea,  when- did  you  come  out  through? — A.  Through  the 
Four  Mountain  ''•'.'■.■i. 

79.  Q.  After  you  had  been  warned  out,  did  you  speak  any  other  cutter? — A.  I  did 
not. 

80.  Q.  Did  \«.u  see  any  seals  from  the  time  you  were  warned  out  till  the  time  you 
came  through  the  ]>ass? — A.  They  were, just  as  thick  as  ever  within  40  miles  of  the 
Four  Monnta'n  I'ass.  We  were  two  days  sailing  through  them.  It  grieved  us  very 
much,  I  c;in  tell  you,  to  sail  tlirough  seals  and  couldn't  touch  them. 

81.  Q.  The  Four  Mountain  Pass  is  about  what  longitude? — A.  "172  Pass"  we 
call  it. 

82.  Q.  But  you  say  there  were  plenty  of  seals  from  the  time  you  were  warned  up 
to  within  40  miles  of  this  pass? — A.  Yes;  just  as  thick  as  where  we  had  left. 

237  83.  Q.  Will  yon  state  in  direct  evidence,  as  though  in  Court,  that,  as  far  as 

your  knowledge  goes  no  Canadian  sealer,  dirctly  or  indirectly,  over  raided  or 
attempted  to  raid  the  seal  is'iau's? — A.  I  have  had  ample  opportunity  of  learning  if 
such  had  been  the  rase,  and  1  know  of  none. 

('aptain  Cox,  continuing,  said:  1  didn't  take  one  "bearing"  female  seal  last  season 
in  '.iehriiig  Sea.     1  li;.^-e  takea  a  few  which  were  evidently  "with  milk," 

S4.  y.  Wliat  perc'jiitag(  do  you  say  ? — A.  There  might  be  5  per  cent,  of  what  I  took 
wbic-h  had  hud  yoang;  tliere  was  evidence  of  liaving  had  young;  whether  they  had 
last  year  or  not  1  do  not  know. 

(Signed)  William  Cox. 

Sworn  before  me  this  25th  day  of  January,  1892. 

(Signed)  A.  K.  Milne,  Collector  of  CiisIotm. 


Victoria,  B.  C,  February  15,  1892. 

8KAL-nUNTINO  IX  NORTH   PACIFIC   OCEAN   AND   UEIIRINO  SEA. 


Captain  Charles  llaekett,  master  and  managing  owner  of  the  schooner  "Annie  C. 
Moore,"  of  St.  .John's,  New  Hninswick,  being  duly  sworn: 

Q.  How  many  years  have  you  been  sealing? — A.  This  is  my  fifth  year. 

Q.  You  have  had  reasonable  success  in  Neallniiit  ing?— A.  S'es. 

Q.  \m\  have  followed  sealing  i'roui  .'^an  I'rancisci)  to  licliring  Sea? — A.  I  have. 

Q.  What  has  been  the  nunilier  of  yonr  crews  ? — A.  'rwenty-tiueo  men  all  told. 

t^.  The  number  of  boats  your  vessel  carried? — A.  Sevi'ii  altogether. 

Q,  You  have  liad  every  oi)i)orttinity  of  seeing  seal  life? — A.  1  have. 

Q.  On  the  coast  did  the  seals  appear  to  be  as  plentiful  last  year  as  former  years? — 
A.  I  have  found  them  so. 

Q.  Please  state  how  tli(>  seals  travel  ?- 
themselves. 

C^.  Did  the  seals  .appear  more  timorous  last  year  than  former  years? — A,  I  don't 
think  so. 

t^.  Are  there  more  seals  .'.liot  wliilst  sleei)ing  than  travelling? — A.  As  far  as  my 
exjxirience  has  been  tliat  about  seveu-oigiiths,  that  is  seven  are  shot  while  sleeping 
to  one  travelling. 


-A.  As  a  rule  we  find  the  bearing  females  by 


:  the  seals 
?— A.  Yea; 

slandt — A. 

)nt  west. 
1  schooners 
he  "Ariel." 

k.  Yea. 

'Webster" 
}  rocks  and 
swift,  and 
uany.  The 
;  they  shot, 
ton  Lewis  " 
n  watching 


through  the 

>t— A.  I  did 

he  time  you 
miles  of  the 
sved  ns  very 

'2  Pass"  we 

a  warned  up 
we  had  left, 
lat,  as  far  as 
fev  raided  or 
f  learning  if 

,1  last  season 

t 

what  I  took 
ler  they  had 

LiAM  Cox. 

f  C'llnlOVM. 


er  "Annie  C. 


I  have, 
all  told. 


rner  years  f — 

g  females  hy 

?— A.  I  don't 

As  far  as  my 
hile  sleupiug 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


315 


Q.  Please  state  about  the  average  distance  that  soals  arc  shot  while  slee]iingf — 
A.   From  10  to  15  yards. 

t^.  What  do  you  consider  the  projiortion  of  seals  lost  as  eoinjiared  to  the  whole 
that  are'liit  in  pelagic  sealing? — A.  Oueof  my  hunters,  nameil  Fulger,  killed  ovor  l(i() 
seals  during  the  season,  and  only  lost  live  seals;  the  exact  uuniber  is  hard  for  a 
master  to  say,  but  I  believe  that  5  per  cent,  would  be  the  outside. 

()..  Taptaiu  Hackett,  would  you  consider  that  a  huiitor  that  lost  more  than  five  in 
the  hundred  would  not  be  a  good  hunter? — A.  I  certaiuly  do. 

if.  Do  you  mean  by  being  lost,  that  is  by  sinking  f — A.  When  I  say  lost  I  mean  by 
sinking. 

Q.  When  a  seal  is  shot  in  the  head  you  generally  get  him,  and  mostly  all  the  seal 
are  shot  in  the  head? — A.  Tliey  are;  and  when  we  .shoot  them  iVoin  the  deck  of  the 
schoonei,  to  lower  the  boat  and  bring  the  vessel  to  generally  is  from  ten  to  tiftei'U 
minutes;  but  we  always  get  the  seal  floating. 

i).  From  actual  observation,  then,  yon  would  say  that  the  actual  loss  during  the 
seasons  you  have  been  sealing  will  not  exceed  5  jicr  cent.? — A.  1  certainly  say  so. 

<■).  Are  there  mote  lo.st  on  the  coast  than  in  Behring  Sea? — A.  In  the  liehring  Sea 
the  iHU'centage  of  loss  would  not  hv  ,0  per  cent. 

t^.  Hiive  you  observed  in  any  month  a  greater  number  of  ftunalcs  than  in  othiir 
months;  that  is,  on  the  const  liav(!  you  observed  a  greater  niimlier  of  females  taken 
during  the  months  of  Ajiril  and  Jlay? — A.  1  have  not  observed  any  ditiercnce. 

i).  What  proportion  of  females  were  in  your  cati-h  last  ycjir  (ISiiO),  and  also  in 
18!tl?— A.  In  JM»0  about  one-(|narter  were  females,  and  in  1X11  about  half  and  half. 

Q.  Would  this  percentagi^  apply  to  your  catch  in  Jlehriiig  Sea  as  well  as  on  the 
coast? — A.  Yes;  thn  percentage  of  females  in  1890  would  be  about  oue-iiuarter,  and 
in  ISitl  about  half  and  half. 

Q.  What  was  vour  catch  in  1800?— A.  About  1,50(1. 

Q.  What  was  your  catch  in  IS'Jl?— A.  2,07(1  seals. 

(i.  What  ])ioi)ortion  of  females  with  puji  did  you  observe  tiiken  on  the  coast  dur- 
ing the  past  two  years? — A.  Aluuit  half  nud  half. 

(i.  What  proportion  of  females  with  ])up  <lid  yon  observe  in  liehring  Sea? — A.  In 
a  catch  of  1,."),").')  seals  in  Mehring  Se;i  l;ist  year  I  had  only  ten  feiiiales  with  iiii]> ;  tlmsei 
with  pup  Were  taken  between  the,  inth  and  last  of  , July,  and  that  those  lemalcs 
killeil  with  ]inp  apjiearcd  to  come  from  the  wc'stw.ird  a?ii'.  got  mixed  with  groups  <d" 
otiier  female  seals  which  had  their  young  an<l  were  entirely  dried  up. 

C^.  Do  you  lind  many  yearling  pujjs  in  Hi'liiin.u  Sen  ?— .\.  No;  1  have  found  no 
yearling  pnjis  in  Hehring  .Sea:  we  get  what  we  call  the  whitebclly  pups;  they  are 
fiom  two-  to  three-year-old  piijjs,  ami  we  get  unite  a,  number  of  liturcn  cows. 

(i-  What  do  you  mean  regarding  barren  cows? — A.   I  mean  tlios 
borne  young  during  that  year. 


who  have  not 
1  did  not;  they 


Q.  Did  you  notice  if  the  seals  were  smaller  in  si/e  last  year? 
were  as  large  as  any  year. 
238  Q.  Whilst  in  Behring  Sea  lust  year  were  the  seals  as  iiuiiieruus  as  you  1imv(> 

seen  them  before ? — A.  They  were  more  nunuTous  than  1  ha\  i' ever  set  w  ihcm 
before. 

(i.  What  age  is  a  scnl-skin  at  its  best? — A.  I  consider  :it  3  yenrs  old. 

(.}..  What  has  been  the  dist.anco  from  the  Trilis  lolf  Islands  that  you  were  while 
sealing  any  year  in  Behring  Sea?— A.  Frnm  .">()  to  lOil  miles,  and  was  ntsver  in^arcr 
than  1^)0  miles. 

Q.  You  were  warned  out  of  the.  Sea  last  yearf--A.  1  was. 

Q.  Were  the  seals  jdentiful  at  the  timef  — A.  They  were  (inite  numerous. 

Q.  How  far  were  you  from  land  wIkmi  warned? — A.  About  100  miles  to  the  west- 
ward of  I'ribylolf  Islands. 

t^.  Had  you  not  been  order(Hl  out  of  the  Se.a  your  catch  would  have  been  giMtd? — 
A.  My  catch  would  have  l)oen  at  least  ;>,()0(l  seals. 

Q.  Have  you  ev(ir  heard  of  any  Canadian  vessids  during  the  years  tli.at  you  have 
been  employed  in  the  sealing  iTidiistry  raidini;  the  I'liliylolf  se.al  island  in  I'lcliiing 
Sea? — A.   I  have  not. 

y.  Yould  wouhl  have  certainly  h.-ard  of  it  had  it.  occurred? — A.  Had  that  been 
done,  I  would  have  heard  it;  I  am  .lequainted  with  all  tlie  principal  scaling  men. 

(Si^iM'd)  CiiA.s.  Hackktt. 

Sworu  before  me  this  15th  day  of  I'cbruary,  l^HL'. 

(Sij^ued)  A.  R.  Milne,  Collector  of  Vusloms. 


w 


316 


REPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


Hi 


i   t: 


VA- 


Victona,  B.  C,  Fchruary  8,  1892. 

Caleb  McDongall,  luiister  of  tlit^  schooner  "Pioneer,"  of  Victoria,  British  Colum- 
biii,  personally  ai)iiearetl,  anil  beinj;  duly  sworn,  <lotb  deiiose  and  say: 

That  this  is  the  third  year  that  ho  has  been  euynyed  in  hunting  seals  in  tlieNoitli- 
ern  I'acitic  Ocean  and  Relirinji  Heu. 

That  lie  has  had  every  o])[)ortiinity  of  watching  every  peculiarity  of  seal-hnnt  iiig. 

Tliat  it  is  his  opinion,  from  actual  observation,  that  the  nnnibcr  of  seals  lohi  as 
C()ni))ared  with  those  Lit  in  pelagic  .sealing,  is  about  one  in  fifty,  that  is_,  one  seal  is 
lost  to  fifty  caught. 

That  the  loss  of  seals  is  by  tunking. 

That  the  greater  nnmber  of  seals  are  killed  while  sleeping. 

That  seals  travel  in  groups,  that  is,  groups  of  males  and  groups  of  females,  also 
of  grey  or  yearling  pups. 

That  in  lieliring  Sea  during  the  year  1890  in  one  ])lace  the  hunters  would  bring 
110,  and  120,  and  130  each  day,  all  males  and  no  females,  that  is,  in  that  one  place, 
aiwl  the  greater  number  of  his  catch  (1890)  were  m.-ile  seals,  that  is,  his  vessel  had 
1,100  in  Uehring  Sea,  of  which  800  were  males  and  the  rest  females. 

That  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  old  bull  seals  drive  the  younger  males  away 
from  the  islaniis,  and  that  is  the  reason  why  be  considers  that  more  males  are  caught 
than  females  in  Behriug  Sea. 

That  the  ])rop(>rtion  of  barren  cows  is  about  one  in  ten  to  the  bearing  cows,  that 
is,  there  is  one  barren  and  ten  bearing  in  Beliring  Sea. 

That  since  he  has  been  engaged  in  scaling  he  tliinks  the  seals  are  increasing,  and 
that  he  found  the  se;il9  in  IJehring  Sea  thicker  last  year  than  he  ever  found  them. 

That  it  dejiends  entirely  upon  what  portion  of  the  Sea  that  the  vessel  is  in  and 
striking  a  band  of  males  or  females,  but  with  all  vessels  in  Bchring  Sea  the  catch  is 
always  more  males  than  females. 

That  he  does  not  know  of  any  single  instance  of  a  British  si'aling- vessel  raiding 
the  seal  islands  in  Behring  Sea,  and  lie  is  (juite  sure  that  no  British  vessel  in  any  case 
attempted  to  raid  the  seal  i.slands.     If  they  had,  he  would  have  heard  of  it. 

(Signed)  C.  McDougaix. 

Sworn  before  me,  this  8th  day  of  February,  ISOi'. 

(Signed)  A.  li.  Milnk,  Collector  of  Customs. 


Victoria,  B.  C,  February  1,  1892. 

1.  Q.  Captain  William  O'Leary,  how  many  years  have  you  been  sealing? — A.  This 
is  my  sixth  year. 

2.  Q.  You  have  be  n  generally  successful? — A.  Yes. 

3.  (^.  You  have  had  all  opportunities  of  watching  every  peculiarity  of  seal-hunt- 
ing f — A.  Yes. 

4.  Q.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  proportion  of  seals  lost  as  compared  with  those 
hit  in  pelagic  sealing? — A.  My  opinion  is  that  only  3  to  5  per  cent,  are  lost. 

5.  ii,.  Do  you  mean  those  who  are  lost  by  sinking? — A.  Yes. 

6.  C^.  Are  there  any  lost  in  any  other  way? — A.   Ve.s;  by  i>scaping. 

7.  Q.  What  is  youropinicn  of  the  proportinn  of  lemales  to  males  taken  during  the 
season  on  the  coast? — A.  My  experience  on  the  coast  has  been  that  the  lemales  and 
males  are  about  equal,  and  of  the  females  there  are  an  e([nal  number  of  liarren  cows 

and  bearing  cows. 
239  8.  <^.  Whatisyouropinionaboutth(!  proportion  ot'bciiring  cows? — A.  About 

half  and  iialf,  that  is,  half  banen  and  half  bearing  cows. 

9.  Q.  In  Behring  Sea 
one;  that  is,  three  males  to  one  fenuile 

10.  Q.  Cajjtain  O'l^eary,  what  is  your  oitinion  about  the  increase  or  decrease  of 
seals? — A.  1  think  the  seals  were  as  i)lentil'ul  last  season  as  I  have  ever  seen  them. 

11.  Q.  Captain  O'Leary,  being  one  of  the  oldest  sealing  cajitaiiis,  do  you  know  of 
any  single  instance  of  a  Itritish  sealiiigvessel  raiilinii  the  seal  islandsf — A,  I  have 
never  heard  of  one,  nor  do  1  lielieve  that  any  British  vessel  raided  or  aitempted  to 
raid  the  seal  islands;  I  would  have  hi'ard  it  if  such  ha<l  been  attempted. 

(Signed)  William  O'Leaky. 


8  your  catch  chielly  male  seals?— A.  Yes;  about  three  to 


Sworn  before  me,  this  lat  February,  1892. 

(Signed) 


A.  R.  MiLNK,  Collector  of  Customi. 


REPORT   OF   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS, 


317 


ih  Colum- 
llic,  Noith- 
l-limii  iiiji. 

lis  lll^l       IS 

jiio  seal  is 


iiiiles,  also 

)nl(l  Ijiiiig 
one  pl.ico, 
vessel  had 

lales  awny 
are  caiij^bt 

cows,  that 

'asiii<f,  and 
III  tlicm. 
1  is  ill  and 
he  catch  is 

sel  raiding 
in  any  caso 
it. 

)OI'GAIX. 

Cuatoms. 


t— A.  This 

seal-hnnt- 
with  those 


during  the 
■nialt'H  and 

UTtMl  cows 

-A.  About 

ut  three  to 

lecroase  of 
iccn  them, 
m  know  of 
-A.  I  have 
onipted  to 

>'Lkary. 
Custom*. 


Ficforia,  B.  C,  February  16, 189S. 

KK   SKAMNG   IN  PACIFIC  OCKAN  AND   BEHRINO  SEA. 

Ahol  Douglas,  present  master  and  managing  owner  of  Canadian  schooner  "May 
Belle,"  of  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  being  duly  »worn,  in  answer  to  the  following 
questions,  says: 

Q.  How  many  years  have  you  been  sealingt — A.  I  have  been  seven  years. 

Q.  Yon  have  been  reasonably  successful  in  the  sealing  industry? — A.  Yes,  I  have. 

(^,  You  liave  followed  the  seals  along  the  west  coast  and  in  15eliring  Sea? — Yes, 
Sir;  I  have. 

Q.  How  many  men  com])()sed  your  crow  last  yeart — A.  Twenty-one  men,  all  told. 

'\.  The  number  of  your  boats  cairied? — A.  Six  boats. 

(J,  You  liave  had  every  opportunity  of  being  acquainted  with  the  habits  and  life 
of  tlie  seals?— A.  1  have. 

i).  f)u  the  coast,  did  tlie  seals  ajjpear  as  plentiful  last  year  as  former  years t — A.  I 
have  seen  no  decrease;  in  fact,  I  saw  more  seals  last  year,  but  they  appeared  a  little 
shyer. 

Q.  In  Behring  Sea,  did  the  seals  appear  as  plentiful  last  year  as  formerly  t — A.  I 
saw  more  seals  and  larger  bodies  of  seals  in  Beliriug  Sea  last  year  than  in  any  year 
before. 

C^.  Did  tlie  seals  appear  more  timorous  in  Behring  Sea  than  formerly  ?— A.  No,  they 
dill  not,  but  seemed  ([iiite  quiet,  and  not  frightened. 

i^.  On  tile  coast  do  tli(!  fiMiiales  travel  by  tlicnisolves? — A.  The  females  gcMierally 
tra\cl  by  themselves;  think  tlie  males  don't  travel  so  far  south.  We  lind  the  males 
a])l)car  more  jilcntiful  towards  Alaska. 

Q.  Are  (here  more  seals  shot  sleejiing  than  trav(>lling? — .\.  Yes,  Sir. 

Q.  \Vliat  is  tin;  usual  distance  that  seals  are  shot  while  sleeping? — A.  About  40  to 
45  tret. 

C^.  ^Vllat  would  be  the  distance  shooting  at  a  travelling  seal? — A.  About  30  to  40 
yards. 

Q.  Where  are  the  seals  usually  struck  when  shot?— A.  In  the  head  and  neck. 

(,).  Fioin  your  long  experience,  what  do  you  consider  the  proportion  of  seals  lost 
as  compared  to  tlie  w  hole  that  are  hit  in  pelagic  scalingf — A.  1  am  quite  sure  that 
not  more  than  lidiii  three  to  live  in  the  hundred,  in  one  year  in  Hehring  Sea;  out  of 
21(i  seals  taken  by  ni\self,  I  never  lost  a  single  one;  ajid  last  year  1  lost  seven  out  of 
1205  kilKd  by  myself;  the  loss  was  by  sinking, 

(.}.  Having  ])ersonal  experience  hunting  every  year,  how  quickly  do  you  reach  the 
aninial  shot  sleeping? — A.  About  live  to  ten  minutes  if  the  seal  has  been  shot 
Bleci)lng. 

(.).  Sleeping  seals  don't  sink  quickly,  do  they? — A.  Sleeping  seals  very  seldom 
sink.     The  loss  liy  sinking  is  altogether  the  travelling  seals. 

().  Then  you  woniil  say  tliat  the  |>ercentage  of  loss,  that  is,  three  to  five  in  the 
hiiiidied,  has  been  your  experienie  for  several  years? — A.  Yes;  it  has  been  about  the 
same. 

(,».  Is  the  loss  gn'ater  on  the  coast  than  in  Behring  Sea? — A.  No,  .Sir;  very  few  are 
lost  on  the  coast. 

(}.  On  tli(!  coast,  have  you  taken  a  greater  number  of  females  in  some  montlis  than 
in  other  months;  say,  have  you  observed  a  greater  number  of  females  taken  in  April 
and  May  ?— A.  No,  .*^ir. 

C^.  Where  do  yon  lind  the  yearling  grey  ])ups? — A.  Always  on  the  coast. 

(^.  Do  yon  lind  many  piqis  in  Beliriiig  Sea? — A.  No;  I  have  only  found  two  grey 
pups  in  liehiing  .Sea. 

Q.   I  loyoii  tiinianv  brown  piijis,  about  2  yearsold,in  Behring  Sea? — A,  Very  few, 

{.I.  Have  you  obst^rved  in  Behring  Sea  that  the  females  have  delivered  their 
young? — A.  Yes,  Sir. 

(,».  I  )o  you  take  any  feiiiale,s  witli  jnip  in  Kehring  Seat — A.  Very  few;  say  one  or 
two  in  the  season.  They  have  all  delivered  their  young  before  the  vessels  enter 
Behring  Sea. 

Q.  I)id  vou  (diserve  any  ditVerence  in  the  si/e  of  seal-skins  last  year? — A.  None; 
they  are  the  same  as  foriiuT  years. 

().  What  has  been  the  distance  from  the  seal  islands  that  yon   usually  bunted 
in  llehring  Sea  in  the  past  years? — A.  From  60  to  1(X)  miles  generally  to  the  west- 
ward. 
240         (^  You  were  warned  out  last  year,  and  by  whom? — A.  Yes,  Sir;  and  by  the 
United  States  ship  "Mohican." 

Q.  At  the  time  you  were  warned,  what  distance  were  you  from  the  seal  islands? — A. 
At  the  time  I  was  warned  I  was  115  miles  to  the  north-west  of  the  seal  islands. 

(}.  .\f  the  time  yon  were  warned  were  the  seals  iilontiful?— A.  I  have  never  seen 
the  seals  su  plentiful  in  Behring  .Sea. 


H, 


318 


REPORT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONERS. 


Q.  Do  you  Hay  tliat  had  yon  not  been  forced  ont  of  Bohring  Sea  tliat  you  would 
have  ha<l  an  exct-IIciit  catch? — A.  I  fortairily  would  havo  had  n  i;ood  catch. 

Q.  Then  you  coimidcr  that  haAiug  been  ordered  out  of  JJeliriim's  (>ea  last  y<!ar  that 
it  haH  been  a  serious  linaucial  loss  to  you? — A.  It  has  been  a  j{ieat  loss  to  ine  and  a 
very  fjreat  hardsliip. 

Q.  llave  you  ever  heard  of  a  British  vessel,  during  the  years  th;it  you  have  betiu 
engaged  in  the  sealing  industry,  raiding,  or  attempting  to  raid  or  lake  steals  in  any 
way  on  the  PribylotF  or  seal  islands  in  lieliring  Siiaf — A.  I  have  not  at  any  time  heard 
of  any  British  vessel  taking  any  seals  from  the  Beal  islaiuls. 

Q.  If  any  vessel  had  attempted  to  do  so  you  would  have  certainly  heard  of  it? — A. 
I  certainly  would;  for  I  am  acquainted  with  all  the  principal  scaling  men  sailing 
from  this  port. 

(Signed)  AnEL  Douglas. 

8wom  before  me,  this  16th  day  of  February,  18!t2. 

'^*iigned)  A.  K.  Mii.^K,  CoUevtor  of  Cuatoma. 


Viotoria,  B.  C,  February  SO,  1892. 


EK  SEALING  IN  PACIFIC  OCEAN  AND   UEIIKINO  8BA. 


I' 


Langhlin  L,  McLean,  present  master  of  the  Canadian  schooner  "  Favourite,"  of 
Victoria,  British  Columbia,  and  master  of  the  saiiie  vessid  lor  the  past  seven  years, 
])ersoually  appeared,  and  being  duly  sworn,  in  reply  to  tlm  following  ([uestions  dotli 
(lei)t>se  and  say: 

().  Captain  McLean,  you  have  been  master  of  the  "Favourite"  during  the  past 
seven  years? — A.  Yes;  for  seven  years. 

(.).  You  have  been  reascinal)]y  successful  in  the  sealing  industry? — A.  Yes;  I  have. 

(i.  \o\\  have  had  every  opportunity  of  observing  the  seals  and  seal  life? — A.  I 
have  had  every  opportunity. 

(/.  What  number  of  men  compose  your  crew  usually? — A.  From  thirty  to  thirty- 
two  men,  all  told. 

(I.  How  many  Whites  and  how  many  Indians? — A.  Seven  Whites  and  about  twenty- 
five  Indians  compose  my  erew. 

Q.  Have  had  Indian  hunters  every  year? — A.  Everv^  year  but  one,  that  was  1887. 

().  Do  you  ])rcfer  Indians  to  Whites  for  hunters? — A.  I  do. 

().  Were  the  seals  to  your  observation  as  plentiful  last  year  as  former  yetirsf — A, 
They  were  more  plentiful. 

(,>.   Were  they  as  plentiful  on  coast? — A.  Yes. 

(J.  \Vere  the  seals  as  plentiful  in  Behring  Sea  as  in  former  years? — A.  In  my  expe- 
rience I  have  never  seen  the  seals  as  plentiful  in  Behring  Sea. 

(I.  Did  the  seals  in  Behring  Sea  appear  to  be  more  timorous? — A.  No;  they  did 
not;  but  apjieared  quite  tame. 

CJ.  From  your  long  experience,  what  do  you  consider  the  jiroportion  of  seals  lost 
as  compared  to  the  whole  number  that  are  hit  in  pelagic  sealing? — A.  I  would  say 
with  Indians  about  one  iu  ten,  and  with  good  white  hunters  about  5  per  cent. 

C^.  Have  you  observed  in  any  months  more;  fcnniles  than  mules? — A.  No;  but  I 
think  there  are  more  males  in  the  month  of  April  on  the  coast. 

Q.  Did  you  have  more  males  than  femiiles  in  the  coast  catch? — A.  Yes;  I  had 
more  males  than  females  on  the  coast. 

Q.  What  percentage  of  males  to  females  did  you  have  in  Behring  Sea  last  yen' 
and  any  year? — A.  About  half  and  half,  and  every  year  about  the  same. 

Q.  Did  you  notice  that  the  females  taken  in  Bcliring  Sea  had  delivered  their 
young? — A.  Yes;  they  had  all  their  young  some  time  before  that.  They  give  up 
their  young  about  the  end  of  July.    We  never  get  them  with  i)np  alter  July. 

(^.  What  proportion  of  females  taken  iu  Behring  Sea  are  barren? — A.  About  5 
per  cent. 

Q.  Do  you  ever  find  yearling  or  grey  pups  in  Behriig  Sea? — A.  No;  we  never  find 
them. 

C^.  Do  you  find  brown  pups  (2  or  3  years  old)  in  Behring  Sea? — A.  We  find  a  few; 
not  many ;  occasionally  one  or  two. 

Q.  From  your  long  observation,  do  you  think  that  the  females  taken  iu  Behring  Sea 
have  remained  long  enough  with  their  pups  so  that  they  care  for  themselves  on  the 
land?— A.  Yes,  I  do. 

Q.  You  mean  by  barren  cows  those  that  have  not  borne  that  year? — A.  Yes,  I  do. 

Q.  In  Behring  Sea  do  they  all  travel  together,  that  is,  males  and  females? — A. 
They  are  pretty  well  mixed  up. 


t  you  would 

cli. 

i.st  year  that 

to  me  aud  a 

11  bave  been 
seals  in  any 
y  time  beard 

■dof  itf— A. 
men  sailing 

Douglas. 


f  Customs. 


rvourite,"  of 
it'ven  years, 
intions  dotli 

uf^  the  past 

fes;  I  bave. 
life?— A.  I 

;y  to  thirty- 
out  twenty- 
>  was  1887. 
years?— A. 

[n  my  expe- 

o;  they  did 

)f  seals  lost 

[  would  say 

cent. 

.  No;  but  I 

Yes;  I  had 

ea  last  yea' 

vered  their 

ey  give  up 

Fuly. 

A.  About  5 

1  never  find 

tiud  a  few ; 

lebring  Sea 
Ives  on  the 

Yes,  I  do. 
males? — A. 


REPORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 


319 


241 


f«.?:.w  t"L-'°"'")/^'*'  '"'•'"'?'»«  l'"i'-f"  c(.wH,  that  the  percentage  of  all 
andnonuul'r  "  '"  ''"^•"'"  «"=''« '^^""'t  «'l"al  tu'tho  n.ale8?^-A.  Abf.Vthat; 

mlsV^i."S"'Tdo"^  '■""  '^'""^  *"  ''''  '''■■''  tl'o-ifhon  the  coast  was  mostly 

have  been  from  110  to  150  mTk^s  ?",",,  la.Id'  ^'"''•^"tt"'""^  three  years  my  best  catches 

twoylars  ago?  "^  ""'""  '^'""^^''''"  '''''^  '"'^''^'"S  *»»«  ««^1  i8lands?-A.  Yes, 

"  PorSe!^''  ""^''''^  ""*  "^  ^'^^'"■'"  ««'^  ^'^^t  y^'^'-'-A-  Yes,  by  Her  Majesty's  ship 
thSk^*""  ^°"  '''  ^"'"^  '"'"*'°S  ^-'""""'^  ^'^^^  warned ?-A.  Yes,  the  seals  were  very 
rnS'h  wmiff?  ''^^V  letiilone  yo„r  catoh  wo>,ld  have  be.Mi  verv  good?-\    Yes   mv 

3,500  seals.  ^  '""*'  w«"ld  have  been  at  least 

A  Vev  wZ  "^hferin'lV'""  "'"'7!  *^'^,'  ''^*'  ^'^"^  ^^'•'-'••^  l''*'"t't'"l  i»  ««l"i"J-'  «ea  f- 

^^^T  ^?^" -"-;-•""-«*  J;:i^'?rt:;s^  -'^  *"^  ->  -'^  ^^  -^« 
lo^i'ailriSiii^rS'^S-.^^i'^L'^mS's.u:^  r'^^-^  "'^^•^^"  «^-^*  «-'--i 

voyage  two  months  longer.  '  «"^ Mainly;  my  vessel  was  e.|U.pped  for  a 

(Signed)  Lauoiilin  L.  McLkan, 

Master,  Schooner  "  Favourite." 
Sworn  before  me  this  20th  day  of  February,  1892. 

(Signed)  "     A.  R.  MiLNK,  Collector  of  Custom$. 


INDEX  TO  REl-ORT  OF  liUHRIXO  SEA  COMMISSION,  AND  liEroRT 
OE  liRITISH  COMMISSIONERS. 


raragriiiih. 


A. 

AliiJiavit;^.''!^.'''-!*:  "'.■■•;■''''"''''>'"'■  ''^'"'  '"''•«•  i^"'- 

iJaker,  Cnjilai ii  W.  ii 

Hissct,  Captjiin  A  ..  

Cox,  C.N 

Cox,  w ;; 

Crookiir,  H '..'.'..'. 

BoiiKlas,  A ' " " 

Hacki-tt.  Captain  0. .'.'.'.' .' 

Kclley,  C.  .1....  

I-aiiiK,  A.  I) 

Mc  DoiiKall,  0 ." .' 

McLean, L.  L ,'_[ 

;^^af;Il<»8en,  Captain  T.  .M 

O'l-caiy,  Caiitairi  \V  . . .  

IVIit,  Captain  W....  

Koborls,  U 

I'liomson,  ii 

Alaska  ( 'iitih—  

SaloH  in  London 

Ala.ska  Coioiiificial  Company— 

AdvantiiL'es  (lerived  fron'i  i,s]and,s  bv 

Seals  on  liol.l.en  Island  do.stroved  bv 

Ircalnicnt  of  iiativcB  bv  '  

Allen,  ]'rofe,ssor—  

FtMnales  receive  males  in  water. 

Aientnin  Lsbinds 

Karly  history  of 

Formerly  re.sorted  to  i>V  iiir  seals 

1  ass<|stbronKli  wliieli  seals  travel 

Jopiilation  of,  in  early  times..  

Aleuis—  •  

Interests  in  seal  indnstry. .. 

Method  of  IiiintinK  fiir-seal       

Amsterdam  Island—  

I'"iir  seals  on 

Ai)pendi(>es ] "  ]  ] 

Area  Limit  (.?<■«  Limitation"  i>V  SoiiViii'.'Yl" 

Lasily  manageable  on  shore....  " 

I  ossible  arrangement  at  sea  

Area  of  rookeries  (see  also  KookeriesjH 

Aceiirate  detinition  impcissible 

Lu'ben  as  indication  of 

Tohshed  roeks  as  iudioatious  of 

Arfreritino  Kepublie—  

Keply  to  in(|iiiries 

Sealini;  i)roliii«it,;(l  ii.  

AtkalslaiMl-  

(irey  pups  seen  at 

Attn  I.siand—  

Seals  seen  at 

Ansti  alasia—  

I'rotecti ve  regulations  in 


352 


I'aso. 


OTf) 

5i;t 

724, 725 


2il.T 
cc:t,  fiOt 


24  S 
247 
175 
24H  i 

248 
529-534 


B. 

Bachelor  Seals  (»ee  Killable  Seals  and  Malr.s). 
liarelay  Sonnd— 

Bar^n'F.Ses-'' '"  """'""""••  •^"""-^-  """  I^«'-"»ry - 
I-arge  number  observed 

Behrini:  Islaml— 

Description  of 

liookeries  on 


in  BeliriuK  Sea. 


210-241 

222 

224 

2U 

228 

2U9 

2;)7 

219 

23(1 

237 

240 

227 

238 

220 

228 

230 

217 


B  S,  PT  VI 21 


840 
141 

""  iji-iii 

142, 143 

395 

3K0 

377-;)79 

175 

IfiH 
11)8 

534 

129 

182 

431-433 

04ti 

2(i2    . 

205-2C7    . 

321 


322  Ki:i»ORT   OF    URITISH    COMMIS.^'ONERS. 

Index  to  report  of  Ihhring  Sea  Comrn'mttion,  etc. — Coiitiiuicd. 


]!i'liriii(?  Sen— 

Diilti  of  viiloring  l).v  hcIiooiuts 

Knrly  (]X)il(>ratiiiiiH  in,  ax  boariii;;  on  Hval  lite 

First  i(cl;i«io  Hcaliiij;  in 

lianijH  1)1'  fur-»eal  iu 

]!iiiiilla  iMland— 

Si'mIs  (il)taini'il  near,  in  Hpring,  iniiatly  cows 

Urazll— 

Ki'pl.v  til  in(|iiiri('.H.    Sealiiij;  iinUiimvii  in 

15r('c<Iiii)i-;;n)iui(ls— 

Nature  ol 

Urci'diiiKl'laccH— 

I'^lli'ttl  <((■  HtopiiiiiK  killiiif;  0" 

In  (inlf  ol'  ticorfiia 

In  North  I'ncitir 

1  n  Soiitlicrn  ll(Mnin|ilicro 

Killin);  nn  (»«'('  Killing). 

On  HajNlacli  Island 

On  lialfi  KocliH.  near  Victoria 

On  Sniitli'»  JsIiiihI 

Orijiinnl  condition  ol' 

I'osBihlu  i'Htalilisliini'nt  of,  un  toasts  of  liritisli  Colnniliia  or 
on  Ali'iitian  Islamls 

IJtiasons  for  Bclfction  of  l>y  seals 

Time  of  arrival  at,  and  departure  from 

Breeding  Rookeries — 

Kxamination  of 

Uritisli  (Johiniliia — 

lioataand  men  omidoj-ed  iu  fur-seal  lisliery  of  (1887-Ul) 

Fur-seals  permanent  winter  residents  on  coast  of 

TclaKie  cateli,  and  vessels  (1871-91) 

Uepliestoinr|uiriesfroMi  Indian  ajjents  a  iidotliei' resident  sin. 

S"alint;  fleet,  valine  of  in  IS'.ll 

Skins  taki'n  on  coasls  of,  by  Indians 

Uritisli  Conimissioiiuis  - 

(,'onnnisslons 

Condiu'.t  of  in(|uiiy 

Instriulions  to ' 

I'laies  visit  I'd 

I'lan  of  Keport 

Several  Keport  of 

Brownlow,  Karl  -  i 

Information  as  to  hreedin;;  of  deer 

Bryant,  Captain — 

(Joliulatiiin  often  ociiirs  in  water 

I>eatb  of  seals  from  natural  causes 

Killin;:  uinler  Unssians 

Bulls  {are  Jlalis). 
Burfjoniasler  liuUs — 

Seals  killed  by,  on  Uobben  I.'^land 


l'araj;;rupli. 


64!) 
205,  2(Hi 

ilUi 


;il,244-'J70 
LM4 


1)2  I 

624  1 

2-18 

3U 

225 


407 
27,  ISO  I 


OiiU 
500 


Canton— 

Keply  to  in<iuiries  from. . . 
Cape  Horn — 

Skins  sold  in  London 

Cape  of  (icMid  IIo))e— 

I'rotectivo  Ue^nlations  at. 


29.''i 

337,  mm 

605 


3?3 


Keply  toiniiniries  from. 
Seal  II f 


Ifo  at. 
Catch— 

(^imposltliMi  of  (Sfc  I'elasic  Sealiii};)- 

Diagram  illustrating 

Seals  and  soa-otters  in  Japan 

"Clnilleuuer"— 

Obvervaliims  on  seals  durinj;  voyage  of 

Keport  bv  Mr.  John  Murray 

Clinrts  (nee  }k)aps  and  I)ia':rains). 
Chile- 
Early  seal  lisherles  on  coast  of 

Close  Sea.son  (tec  Limitations). 

Best  combined  with  number  limit 

Delincd 

Dilferent  olt'et^ts  on  si'a  and  shore 

On  Falkland  Islands 

Only  applicable  (o  |iclaj;lc  sealing 

In  l'rn(;uay 

Clubbing— 

At  Ca)>e  of  tJood  Hope 

(ireater  care  recommeudt'd 

£u  .I'lUkluud  I  slaiids 


855 

137 

l.')5, 1,=)() 

132 


131 


147 


I'aj; 


107, I0« 


172 
172 
\T1 


2117  212 
170, 171 


VI,  VII 

3  5 

V,  V I 

4,r. 

5 
3 

184, 18,') 


180 
210 
1114 

i,")!,  inr. 

154, 15o 


Faciiif;  22 
lUO 

181 


1S3 


155,  193 

ieo 

155 
158 


l'aa(>. 


107,  KW 


172 
172 
172 


2117  212 
170, 171 


VI,  VII 

;i  :> 
V,  V  i 

5 
184, IBS 


180 

210 

l!».l 
J54,  liM 
154, 155 

Fuiiiij;  22 
l(i(i 

181 

is;i 


155,  193 

"m 

155 

iso 


KEPOKT   OP   BRITISH   COMMISSIONKKS. 

Index  to  report  of  JSehriiuj  Sea  Commission,  etc. — Contiiiuid. 


323 


Coal  Hold  to  iintivcH— 

H iiili  piiio  iiC 

Count  Cllttll 

Cod- 

N'  iiincrouB  near  Bclirin;;  Island 

Coitiiiii 

r<iHsl1iUi  at  8('a,  but  iiniial  on  land 

CouiniandtT  iHlandn— 

Date  of  discovi'iy 

DilliTi-nt  )'ri)rii  I'iibvlotl'  J.slandH 

Lon;;tli  of  diivtin  on 

MiKrationH  lilt  It?  roconlod 

I'livsical  iliaractcrislics  of 

I'roli'clion  against  raidH  on 

Salt'H  of  skins  in  London 

Seal-killiiiK  in  carlv  ycai'M  on 

Seals  anivi'  later  tliiin  on  I'lilivlotV  I.Mlands 

"     seen  all  tlio  winter  in  milil  .siasoiis 

SklnM  taken  for  .sliipnient 

Coinniunicilion   between  himIs  on   PribylolV  nnd   Coninnindm- 

iHlands  iiccolm  InterMiinKliriR) 

Composition  of  Caleb  (.see  I'ela:;ic  Sealinj^)— 

Evideneoof  wealinfT  eaiilain.s 

I'ercentaKo  of  boarinj;  fiiiiales 

CoiMier  Island — 

Ueseription  of 

Kookeries  on 

Yearlings  scareo  on,  in  1891 

Cows  (teealiio  Cows  suckling) — 

Age  wlien  lirst  pup  is  born 

Arrival  on  Islands 

Date  of  lirst  gnint;  to  feed 

Distanees  they  go  to  feed 

Travel  rapidly  in  Hcliring  Sea  when  in  pup 

Cows  suckllii}; — 

Killed  at  »<a 

Jsativi's  say  tbey  do  not  I'at 

Itenuiin  ns'a  rule  close  to  shore 

Keniarks  as  to  theory 

Their  own  yonn;;.     A  nalo^y  of  other  aninial!> 

Views  of  I'rofessor  Klliolt 

Currents  in  Xortli  I'acitio  Ocean 


I'araj^rapli, 


n. 

Ball,  Mr.— 

Karly  liistory  of  Aleutian  Inlands 

Dates  of  arrivalOf  seals  on  islands 

Dead  pujis— 

Autopsy  by  Dr.  Aeland  (Akerly) 

by  Dr.  (iiintlier 

Exco)itional  in  1891  

None  on  St.  ( i eor^e's  Island 

Not  due  to  ))ela)iicsealin}; 

On  North-east  iNiint  rookery 

On  Tolstoi  rookery .' 

Opinion  of  Mr.  Kowlor 

Opinions  of  natives  as  to  causes  of 

I'robablo  causes  of 

Decrease — 

Aflirnied 

(^'hietly  of  males  on  islands 

May  lie  arrested  by  Kesuliil  ions 

Not  entirely  duo  to  pelaj;ic  sealing 

Not  ob.served  at  .sea 

On  Coininander  Islands 

On  land,  observed  in  1880 

( )n  I'ribyloff  Islands 

OriKin  and  progress  of 

Decrbreediiif;— 

Analogous  to  seal-breeding.    Information  from  Karl  Brown- 

low 

Departure  of  seals  from  islands 

Doph.'tion  (see  a(«o  Kxterniinalion) — 

(ireater  danger  of,  on  shore 

Less  danger  of,  at  sea 

Depositions  (see  Atlidavits). 
Destruction- 
Natural  causes  of 

Devercux,  Captain  (r.- 

fieals  on  coast  of  Vancouver 

Diagrams  (aei'alno  Mai)s)— 

Comparison  of  pelagic  and  island  catch  in  one  season 

"          of  numiiers  killed  on  land  and  sea  from  early 
times  to  present .'. , 


725 
6.15 

2:11 
295-2117 

•J!t."> 


247 
2lil 

7m> 

l!i7 

.'14  27(i 

1(17 


2h:! 

2U2 


451    l.-i7 

645-li»7 
G44 

2n;t 

24)8 
414 

285 
279 

:i(i(i 
309  :u  2 

187 


I 


314 

207  I 
309 

317-324  ! 

317-325  I 
320 
100 


24S 

278 

352 
354 
355 
348 
355 
34)i 
348 
348 
340 
350 

67,   94 

71 

94 

71 

87 

92 

080 

89-01 

074-U93 


282 


117 
118 


326-313 
1S4 


I'age. 


21s 
214 


214 


183 


181,185 


177 

Kacing  22 

"     16t 


324  UKPoiiT  OF  imiTisii  commissioners. 

Index  tu  rejwrt  of  ikhring  Sea  Cummimiion,  etc. — C'oiitiiiiiud. 


l)i(iP!t»o»  of  I'lirKcal  {nee  alto  Kpi<Iriiii<s) 

hiHtiiiii'i'H  ('OWN  lilt  til  trcil.  \'iiriiMis  Ktiiteni<'nUi  an  to. 
l>iHlrii(iiti(iii  of  mi'uIh  at  mcu 

A  lice  I  id  l)v  wiiiils  iiiul  ciirrfiits 

( Miiiits  1 1  (  iiml  IV , 

Mi'iiiiH  tuki'ii  to  aMcrrlain 

A'ai'idiiK  olisiTvatiiiiis  on 

Drivcs- 

(^'aiiNO  fi'i(;lit  and  diHtrcHH 

CriH'ily  of 

l.arm'  niiinl)cr  of  Hialu  rc.jiTti  d  from,  an  iinkillalilf 

Lfn^th  of,  on  roniiiiiuHlcr  IsliUMl.i 

of  on  I'riln  loll'  Islam  Is 

Mr.  (iolf'n  opiniiiM  on 

Mr.  I'ahiu'r'rt  opliilon  on 

Mortality  cauHccl  liy  rxccssivc 

Profi'.>iwor  KlliottM  (i;inion  on 

Krcoinnii'iidatioiiH  as  to  ri'^xnlalion  of 

Vital  cni'iyy  of  si'als  inipairt.'il  by 

Wasto  of  seal  lifr  in 

WeaknuHHuf  Ht'ala  aftur 


rarH){raph. 


3:10 
;to!»-;ir2 

liUi) 


210 
74 

704 

708 
705 
705 

708  I 


E. 

Karly  Kxplorntions  in  Hohring  Sea — 

Ki'fercnccn  to  fur-soals  in  accountHof 

Dlliott,  I'ldl'csHor — • 

ObuurvationH  ondvntli  of  atcals  from  natural  causi's 

"  on  driving 

"  on  interrelation  lietNM-en  I'rilijloir  and  Coni- 

lunnder  Heals 

"  on  proportion  of  inalid  to  fuinale.s 

"  on  Heal  life 

Epidpmics  {seralio  Disease.s) — 

At  Cape  of  Good  Jiopo 

Evidence- 
Circular  of  inquiry  to  Governments 

List  of  ppr.son8  and  Governnicnls  .supplying 

Keplies  of  (iovernments 

Kxorenu'iit — 

Absonie  of,  noted 

None  on  rookeries 

Extent  of  ground  occuiiied  l>y  seals 

Extermination  (lee  altv  Depletion)  of  Fur-seals — 

Financially  inipossible 


74, 


7(14 
714 
147 
70H 
721 
71U 


205,  200 

:ia7 

714 

452 
10 

277 


F. 

Fairweatlipr  Ground — 

Seals  most  numerous  on  from  Ist  to  15lh  June. 
Falkland  Islands— 


I'rotective  H«  iiulatiouson. 


24;i 

242 

377  liU,') 


458 


187 


Reply  to  inquiries. 
Farallones  Islands — 

Seals  formerly  bred  on 

Females  (tee  aJ«o"Co\vs)— 

Destruction  of,  at  (,'a))e 

Excess  of,  owing  to  killing  of  males  on  shore 

Large  number  killed  on  islamlg  in  1868 

Proportion  of,  in  pelagic  eatcli 

Fish- 
All  kinds  of,  eaten  by  seals 

Large  number  of,  near  rookeries  

Flag- 
Distinctive,  for  pelagic  sealers  in  Japan 

"  recommended 

Flattery,  Cape- 
Catch  of  seals  near 1 

Flower,  Sir  W.  11. — 

Memorandum  on  classification  of  fur-seal 

Fogs — 

Assistance  to  raiders 

Food— 

Absence  of,  in  cows  killed  on  Commander  Islands 

Distance  to  which  seals  go  for,  from  islands 

I'ur-seal  on  Juan  Fernandey.  reported  to  abstain  from. 
"        surface  not  bottom  feeders 

Information  gained  on,  frimi  natives 

Migrati(m  habits  depend  on  (see  .Migration) 

Of  fur-seal 

Only  bachelors  and  cows  leave  islands  for 

Principal  kinds  of 

Uarely  found  in  seals  killed  on  islatuls 

Stones  found  in  stimiaehs  of  seals 

Worms  in  stomachs  of  seals 


248 


fl:)5 

808 

77,78 

226 
231 


102 
185 


708 

235 
303-310 

243 
230,23! 

22') 

224 
224-243 

305 
226,  227 

233 
236-238 

237 


Page. 


Faeing  IM 


1,S7-18'J 


155 

1.54 

151-1. '53 
154-10!) 


129-193 
155, 158 


154 


165 


172, 173 
185 


Page. 


fiuiiif;  IM 


1S7-1H'J 


166 

ir.4 

I5i-i5:t 

154-lUi) 


129-193 
155, 156 


154 


165 


172, 173 
185 


UEPOKT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSJONKRS. 
Index  to  report  of  Behring  Sm  CommtMton,  etc. — Coiitiiiiied. 


Fowler,  Mr.— 

Opinion  nn  to  ilonil  pii]ig  In  1891 . 

rur-sciil  (Kfe  almi  Si'iiIm)— 

Abiinilanco  of,  allVcti'd  by  wciillirr 

"  in  »isi  near  rookorieg 

Uitconilni;  nioro  polajric 

Hied  toinicrly  on  rm-KH  in  Him  a  I  o  Strait 

nriii'ilini:  ),'riiiiiula  ou  Hoiithcrn  |iurtiit'  Ncirtli  Anirrica 

JtmcdiiiK  plari'H  of , 

Jirciil  on  ontl\  in;:  roclm  on  Asiatic  roaHt 

Chiingu  of  haliilH  iu  reccnl  yrars 

"  '•      on  racli  Hide  of  I'acitic  

"  "       ])rodiiot'd  liy  dlntiirliancc 

ContcniH  of  utoniacliM  (ixaniiiiod 

(,'cintlnuod  almnilancr  at  sea 

l)al<!  of  arrival  at  rribylotV  l.sland.s 

"        Icavin;;  i'rlbylnlV  Islands 

Distribution  at  sea  (we  Itistribiilioii). 

Docs  not  niiiinitc  in  Sontlicrn  llcniisplicrc 

Karlv  takes  of.  on  rrlbylolt  I  sin  nils 

K\  i({cnc('  of  rclui  II  to  same  baulinKK'"'""'* 

JCxcesBoi  brecdinji  males  In  1871 

Kxccsslve  klllinj;  of,  in  1(?0H 

Food  of  {Xec  Food). 

Habitats  in  winter  and  Hummer  («fc  Migration) 

HabitBcd  (.w  Habits) 

Hnntcdby  Aleuts 

"         '  ImllauA  from  time  immemorial 

Increased  wariness  of 

Maximnm  age  of 

Mlstratiou  ranjif  of  (nee  illKration) 

Jlejt  abundant  near  rookeries 

Motives  for  landing 

Nortliern  limit  of 

Kumber  killeil  on  I'ribylolV  Islands 

seen  at  sea  not  i>roport  innate  todislanccfroni  islands 
t)f  'lastern  side  of  Norlli  I'acilic;  extri'me  soutbern  ranj;c  of 
Of  N'  ,io  I'aoitic  identical  iuliabits  with  those  of  South  Seas 
(.lid  .J-  vcding-gronnds  of,  on— 

({u'f  of  (ioorjtia 

lla  vstack  Island 

Kace  '{ocks  (near  Victoria) 

Smith's  Island  (Waslilnglon  Territory) 

Place  in  claasl Meat  ion  of  mammalia '. 

I'ossibillty  of    deserting    breeding-grounds    if   too   much 

harassed 

Scarcity  of,  on  Tribylidf  Islaiuls,  in  lH;i,'i-:i6 

Table  of  number  killed  on  rribyloflf  Islands,  1817  '.(1 

Used  as  food  by  Iiulians ." 

Varieties  of,  in  Southern  Hemisphero 

Furriei's — 

P^videnceof 


Paragraph. 


348 

408 

:ti;i 

«:>.  4L'8 

Jill 

447  ^r.o 

:io  ;iu 

,')'j:t 

31)(!-tltl 

;;()7 

41) 

•j;i4 

4(i'J  407 
1^8 
174 


Gair- 

Us^d  to  secure  wounded  seals 

Golf,  Mr.— 

Opinion  on  drives 

Iie])ort  on  decrease 

Gernuiny — 

Interests  of,  in  sealing  indnstiy.  .. 
(irass— 

As  indication  of  rookery  area 

(iravid  Kemales — 

Ivilled  off  Queen  Charlotte  l8land.s. 


Killing  of,  dejireoated  by  nelagie  sealers 
o  avoided 


should  be  i 

Niunberin  pelagic  spring  catch 

Seblom  killed  in  liehring  Sea 

Travel  rapidly  in  liehring  Sea 

Gray,  (,'aptain  - 

Letter  on  hair-seals 

Grobnitzky,  M.— 

Views  as  to  migration  of  seals 

"         "     pro|iortion  of  females  to  males  , 

"         "      "stagey  "  skins • 

Greenland- 
British  legislation  atlccting 

llalr-seal  Fishery  Kegnlaiions 

Norwegian  Law  and  Ordinance 


2!) 

772  779 
270 
078 

C77.  8U8 

28 

26 

175 

527 
307,  ;i9;i,  412-114 
288 
27  I 

214  ' 
240 
218 

771-780 

215  j 
190  ' 
836 


446 
800 
771 
582 
835 

653 


604 

708 
602 

1(13 

384-387 

6;i8 
033 
80 
648 
043 
187 


202 
54 

202 


325 


Pago. 


172 

172 
171, 172 

172 
185, 180 


18G,  187 


200-202 
198  203 
202,  2U3 


326  HKP<1RT    OV    HIUTISir    COMMISSIONEIJS. 

Iiiih.r  to  report  of  lU'hriiiij  Sni  CommisHioii,  rtc. — Coiitiniiotl. 


tir(\v  imps 

J.art;i'iiiiiiil>ri'ssi'('M  in  IHTOiii  Knijilil'.siiiKl  Kiiiffrdinlx'  IiiIcIn. 

Si'iMi  III  AtU;i  IhIijiiiI 

"      ill  Cjfiici'ii  (  liiirlipllc  SiMiiid 

"     lit  1  iiiiliiMkii 

(liiiitlirr   Hr. 

Ailldpsy  of  ilriid  imp 


■  I. 

Jlaliitiits 

I'li'itisli  Ciiliiiiiliiaii  I'liiist  ill  winter  in  I'liislci  ii  I'aiilir 

J II  sun  liner  and  will  In- 

•Ia|iani'.s('  masi  in  wiiili  r  in  Westi'iii  racilii' 

No  si'paiato  .siiiiiiiit'i' and  wiiilcr.  in  SoiiIIm  in  lli'iiiiHplii  re  .. 

Siiiiiiiii'i-  and  «  indr  distiiii'l  in  Nortli  I'afillc 

ilaliils  ol'  till'  seal  (*('i'  I'liv  seal) 

Cause  (il'clianye  in 

(  liaiiiie  ot,  in  rereiil  vein's 

llairseal— 

I>iseaseM  of 

I, ('Iter  fnnii  Ca plain  (ira\  as  to 

I'rolcilive  lueasiins  (sec  (lieenlalld  and  New  fiiiindlaiid). 
llareniH 

llieali  up  (d' 

Danjiei-  if  loo  laine 

lin  reaped  si/.c  of 

riiipoiiion  of  males  to  females 

Iliiiiliim  ri;^lits  ol 

Aleuts    

Natives  of  liiitisli  Coliimliia 

of  inlaiid!i 

I. 

ICP- 

Mortalitv  id'  seals  eaused  liy    

1  lie  lease  of  seals  lui  rriliylidV  Islamls  in  later  Kiissian  times 

Iniliaiis 

l-!niploviiieiit  of,  in  Healiiitr  selidiuiers 

I  III  el  (St  111',  in  seal  lislieiy 

Mel  lied  of  li Hilling  fur  seal 

Is'  iiiiil"r  of  seals  lost  liy 

I'rieis  paid  to.  for  skins,  in  l.'^'.ll 

Indian  .\:;eiits  — 

lie)ilies  of.  to  Ciieidar  of  imiuiiy 

Interests  invidved 

Aleuts    

As  represented  liy  sUiii.s  laKeii 

liiitisli  Colninliian 

(iernian 

Indian 

dapanese 

Land  and  sea.  c  oiiipaieil 

Nil  lives  on  islands 

Kiissia ... 

Inlerniinuliiii;  of  Coininander  and  I'l  ili\  loll  .seals 

Mr.  Idliolt's  views  oil 

Jnterrelalion  of  Coniinander  and  rriliylolt  seals  (m;    Inlermin- 
gliujt). 

jr. 

Jaelsson.Mr 

Seal  ruol     .ies  at  Cape  of  (iood  Hope 

Jan  Mayen - 

Keuulatiiuis  for  hair  seal  lislieries 

Ja)iaii    ~ 

l>isti 111' live  llai;  tor  seali  r?  in 

Fur-seal  lislieries  of 

Ke;;iilatioii8  tor  seal  lislieries 

"  "  not  eiifoK  I'd 

Kejily  In  ini|iiii'ies 

Sealing  vessels  Hailing;  from 

■Winter  lialiital  of  seals  on  west  side  of  I'aeilie 

Joint  ('oiiiniission — 

Itcport  of 


Ill-  li:i,  V,7,  .MiC. 
."iii'.l,  "iTO 

'  .'■i:;i;  (•/ »i'./. 

I  niri 

!  &48 


rj;i 

111  ii;i,  1211 
i(i;i 

112 

lii;i 

r.'T.  V-'H 

Hi:i 
-isi-ir.T 

452 


324 

12!) 

102 

475.  Wi  :>'  o 

5ii:i-,'iii5 


Ii. 

Kelp— 

llirtli  of  pups  on,  i.iiprolialile 

r'alen  liy  pii|  s  in  Sr|ileiiiliii' 

Killalile  seals  (»•<'»   Killiii;;  of  .Seals  on  rriliylolV  Islands) — 

Niiinlier  tixed  too  lii;;li    

Sinull  uuniber  of,  in  IHUU 


4!1K 
27,2111 


215 
240 

US.  511 

4;iii,4a7 


17(1,  171 
17,  1«,  lU 


180 
165 


I(i2-in4 

1(17 
Kid   1(17 


I 


I'liKO. 


171 


183 


IHO,  1H7 


170,  171 
17,  IH,  lU 


180 

165 


l(i-J 

-1fi4 
l(i7 
lt)7 

KEI'ORT   OF    lUilTISir   WMMISSIONKh'S. 
In<h-x  /<>  rij),.)-!  of  IMiriiuj  Sva  CommisKioii,  c/f.— Coiif  iniK-d. 


Killorwlialcs- 

Ki'MlnMlidii  (iC  v<iiin};  .Sfiils  liv 

Killiii;;  of  ti'ni.iliH  .•it  sen '. . .    .     '     " 

I'lTi.M.wililc.  |i>  pnsirvc  ixniniil  |>ni(»ii|'inii"„V  HoVr» 

I--11- '"''  ."o"',  ' •'''"'  '■'■"'l<'''«  |>Mi"li<M'  Irs,)  lianrifiil  . 

Killing:  III  Si'iils  nil  I'rilivloll    ImIiiikIh^- 

'\('.(r!n!,',:|J'"'''''' '*'''''*-'''''■'■''''''"'' •''"''''' '^'■■''"'«  "'"'liipiii-'''^ 

Con  trill  of.  hv  riiitni'sii'iirM 

Kvil  I'Mii  Is  111' 

Kxcrssivi.  in  ,.,i,|y  |;ii..,si;in  |Miiin| 

Iimni'(iiiil«  CiiiiHc  111'  il:ui;;i'i  in  ,-ii:il  li||.  

Mi'IIhmIs  rmi>lc>.Vfil  ill,  ci  iirll  v  iif  (.«,.,.  1  divrs) 

Illi'iiicticiiliy  (;i:,m1 " 

,,      ''      ,  "  WllSiteiiivolvill  111 

Mr.  I  ilJiiiir  (HI  li;iil  illcit  nC 

NiinilifM  liillid,  1.SI7  !ll 

Ki'KiiiiitiiPiiH I'lii-, ;it  iiiiii  II  111  |iciiii(iM  ..'!.!!'!] 

"  ililllciill  V  1)1' 

SiMl.lrii  iiicrras,.  „|,  im,!,.,.  r.iilcil  Stnirs  inaiVa.'.iiii-'i'ii 

hiiKKi'fti'd  iiiipnivciiMiils  ill    

piiilijliilimi  III',  on  „„,,  islaiiii    . . 

,,.,,  "         tolal  iHoliiliiliiiii  111'. .  

Killiiij;  on  Mricillii;;  iHlainlH  

rails.,  of  ili|iliii,,n  in  ,s„„lli,.in  lliniisnlnn, 
KImw'iV-""'      "'  '■^■"'""'"'l''"y'''l  ill  SKUlliorn  llciipis|,ii..i'i' ;■.■■.!■.'. 

Seals  lalion  by  IiKliiuis  of 

Iviirilc  Islaiiils—  

Scaling  ill  Iho 


I-iiRonn  li.inUorv  on  S(.  I'anl  I;,lanil 

1-Hiiipsoii,  C,  M.,  anil  Co.  

Siilo  of  skins  in  Lniiilnn 

I-ici'iicfs   -  

I'ropiisi-d  isHiio  iiC,   111  while  liiintcis 
l.iclicn    .  

'I'l'sl  of  area  of  rooi.i'i  jcs 

I'iliiilatii f  .Sealing,'  liy  

( 'lose  srasnii 

Niiiiil|eidr  ideals  taken  (wV  xlinVber  V.i'niVi) 

Iiestneleil  aicii 

Loliiis  Islands  

Fiirse.il   lisliei  V  on 

Skills  sliiji|ieil  riniii  (1KS7  Vi| )!!".'.. '.'.'.'""". 

_  _  "      siilii  111  laiiiiliin  (1K7:;  !)L'). 

Total  ealili  of  seals  on  (IH7(M)I). 

T,ittlo  Ivislein  ItiHikeiv,  St.  ( loiiisie  Island   

.OSS  lit   seals  ill  .sia  (see  relanie  Sealiin'l  

l.iiUanniiii  and  Kelavio  Itookerie.s,  St.  r'aiil  Island 

Klltke —  

ObHcrvntioiis  on  killing;  of  iiialea<\als 


Itl. 


Maeltny,  Mr.  ,7.  W. 

Seiils  on  .nasi   of  Ilrilisli  Coliniiliia 

Ma  e, Seals  («<•(-  Killin^Md■  Seals  on  I'lilivloir  Isla'nd'si 

jMales 

Age  of  virility 

Danger  to  se.il  life  il'  |„i>  inaiiy  kiilDd. !!.".'!  ] 

J)eiiease  of,  on  is  la  nils '. 

I'ropoiiion  of,   1,1  I, .males .". .  .V. 

Seai-eilyof,  on  islands,  makes  liahil's  oV  seiiYs  iire'.iVlai'  " " 
Manatee  («,.|'Soii.(;o\v).  nn  „iii,ii  . ... 

AlanaKoiiient  on-. 


Maps 


ii""i""i"V.''?''i '■"',"''■"''''  "'"'  "'•"  ""  I'til'vlolf  Islands.... 
Iriliylol   Islands:   iiisullieient  eaie  taken"  till  iiieni  K- 
>s  (.vec  (ilmi  l>ia"raiii>).  •   


iiiiinissiiiiiers. 


1.  Iniek  Cliarl,  sliowiiii;  nnili.  of  liritisli  Coi 

2.  JteHortHtinil  niinralinn  roiilesiif  ..-calH 

3.  Areiiof  seals,  Jiily  and  AiiLTiist .'. 

*•  ,''  "       Aiijinst  and  Si.jileiiilie|..!!. 

•'■     J,'^^(-J|''""  »''""''iK  "iiniliei.  ol"  seaU    killed,  and  piiec  of 

Mayiiaid,  I.ieiiteiiant-  

Oliserva lions  on  seal  life 

Keiioit  on  I'liliylolf  Islaiiijs. ..'".".'.' 

MotiMU'olofical  oliservations  taken  in  iw»i 


17  ,"il.(ilVJ 

'i:i 

.'Ci,  11, 4r>,  lililJ 

40 

117  I 
•Mi  I 
tUiO 
74,  7,-)  I 

;!n.77i 

:m  :w 

70 

fi."i!) 

147,  IIH 

llil 

I'Jl,  IIIO-IOH 

117 

I5l-ii;ii 

17' 


1,-jO 


Kill   lliH  i 

i:!li.  III.  |:;7  ' 
IW,  141    144  i.... 


77,KI,.--'L' 


72.  4L'7 


HI,-) 

;:i;) 


327 


lapli. 

Vngn. 

31!  1  XW. 

77-KO 

HO 



7U 

IK7  IH!» 


1(UI-I87 


'Jl.-.  L'17 


109 
215 

ai5 

UI5 


■s,{; 

'.•!)l 

■i,s,-< 

J '^7 

•M) 

71 

r.4 

434 

Faeiii 


l.-iO 

:  .'lO 

l,-|0 
151 


328 


RErORT    OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 
Jiidvjr  to  report  of  lichring  Sea  Commimiion,  etc. — ContiniKHl. 


,11 


rnra^traph. 

Page. 

^lotliod.s  of  tiiUinj:  Soalfl— 

149, 150 
147, 148 

"                   '■            oil  nlioro                                    

Mi;:ration— 

1,55 

(.'nlir.so  of  srals  Hi  spvilifT 

In  North  raoitic 

lii()iiirit'H  a.s  to  iiinilp  in  Ifi'iiish  ('oluiiiliia                    ••■ 

195 

171-190 
172 

150 

llan;:*^  ot\  on  wtiHt  .sido  of  I'acilic 

197-208 

208 

27 

19« 

5'J5 
344-350 

723-72C 

724 

725 
520-570 

035 

150 
050 

St'iiN  travel  north  in  sj)!')!)"*  and  Hoiitli  in  uutuiiin         

Soiitlu'rn  coiii'sc  in  Nortli  I'fLcitic  )ivnothetii'iil 

Mod  Hi  vicvnili  of  181)1 

Mortality  of  voimyj  si'als  ill  l^Ul  (A'(?f  Dratl  l*iii>s) .■. 

IV. 
Native  intiTPstrt  on  iHlaiuls      , 

Kativcs  on  IslaiMis— 

Iiisiitlicii'nt  coal  Hiipjil V  to 

Xat i vc  vai'cs  iiitvrcstcd  \u  sealiii"                                                    .    .. 

Xi'ali  liav  («<'e  CajM'  I'Maitt'iy)  - 

Eviti'riu'o  of  Iiulians  a.stt>  jrraviil  ftjiiah's  taken  near 

Xets— 

J'iiiii>lovniont  of  shiHihl  lie  t'orliidih'n  

(ire\' iMiiis  oi)taineil  bv 

195-1U8 

Xew  South  \V;iles — 

Seal i  11  y;  intluslry  in,  coaaed  to  exi.-^t 

157 

Kew  Z*'aland 

182, 183 

!Nordeiirtkiol(i,  liantn — 

Letter  iVom 

183 

Korth  Atlantic  - 

837 

250,  390.  391 
257 

North-Kast  Point,  St.  Paul  Island— 

Unokerv  on 

Jsorth-west  catcli— 

Sales  in  London 

216.217 

Kortli-went  Coast    - 

Indian  sial  lisherv  on 

170-172 

Knnihei' killed  on  Islands  {t>ee  aho  Killin^jof  Seals  on  Pribylolf 
Islands)  — 
Not  in'0]>er)v  curtailed 

72,73.131 
155 
150 

137 

130,  101 

151 

131 

02 

3(W 

358 
359 

Kunilier  Liniil- 

licst  coin  hi  lied  \\  it  h  time  limit 

J*osHiIiliaiiplication  of.  at  sim 

Safe  maximum  should  he  fixed  on  laud ,. 

KsiMM'iallv  rlU'ciive  on  land 

Knmlier  of  Srals  on  Islands— 



Jlrvant  's  inetlmd  of  ennmerattnj; 

Klliotfs          "                      •'              

Kstiuiales  of.  exa;:!^eiatcd 

90.  3(i5 
3Utl 

522 
G74  (193 

Oliinions  of  various  ant  horitioH  U8  to 

o. 

OkliMttik.Si'ii-- 

( M'i;iin  of  deorr.isi^  of  ki-iiIh 

Olti'i-  Inland— 

Kai<lf  nil 

740 
254, 740 

I». 

rorillo  _ 

Miiiniliiiim  of  fiir-sciil  in  {sre  SI  ii'ialinn). 
Palmrr,  Mr.  \V.- 

nlis('i\  atioiiM  on  liii'idin;;  islaiaLs 

187-189 
212 

Pclniiif  oali'li  {tee  atw  rdat;!!'  SoalinT). 

Aiipnixiniatc  "I.iii.ilic.i  nl'  Umlcil  Mali's 

liiliriiii;  S'  a.  almut  5  ]ii'ti('iit.  cdwh  in  niilU 

04(1 

Jiriti.ili  '  'iiluniliian,  KcikhIh  of 

20"  212 

052 
C33-(i,'i3 

UiagraniH  lUuHtniliun 



l''a('iiiif  22uMtl  150 

IJEPORT   OF    BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 

Index  to  report  of  Jiehring  Sea  Commi8siov,  etc. — Coutiiincd. 


329 


Paae. 


If)-) 


mti 


1U5-1U8 
157 

182, 183 
181! 


•216,217 
170-172 


187-189 
212 


2(17-212 
Ij;  J2aml  150 


PcliiK'f'  fatcli  (tee  also  VAagic  Sonling)— Cotitimiod. 

Harlvtiitcliisin  ISiOiriiij;  Sea 

liu'oinplctenegs  of  I'liited  States  statistics 

Nuiiibur  JKT  boat  ami  man 

I'l-oportioii  of  fniiaU's 

Skills  taken  in  18111 

Summary  from  1871  to  IHOl 

relagic  Scalers— 

Not  iioacliers 

t)l)inion.s  as  to  abnnilame  of  ncals  at  »ca 

Pelapic  St'alinn — 

Advai  .i.     s  of  Indian  method  of  spearing , 

Allidavim  rt'spci'ting  (»(■«  AtHdavits) 

Amount  jiaid  to  Indians  cngaijcd  in  1810 

A  new  factor  of  dtrrease  in  seal  life 

At  first  not  ohjiM  ted  to 

Henelits  to  Indiana 

Capital  employed 

Contiietinj;  evidence  as  to  nexes  taken 

Continuation  depends  on  abundance  of  seals 

Could  not  have  caused  lirst  decrease  on  land 

Criticisms  on 

Cruelty  of  as  compared  with  land  killing 

Danger  to  men  employed 

Date  of  comnu'ucement 

"  ••  in  neliring  Sea , 

Karly  history  of 

I'irst  known  attemjits 

"      ])ractiseil  in  canoes 

"      seizures  by  United  States  Uovernuu'nt 

Future  of 

Crrowth  of,  in  United  States 

Improvements  sugiicsted 

Indians  seld(uu  lose  seals  when  sjiearod 

Loss  exaggerated 

"    by  white  hunters 

Mothoilsemidoyed 

Koni!  at  Cape  i>f  (!ond  ]Io])p 

"     in  FalUlai.d  Islands 

Not  cause  of  dead  pups  in  1891 

Knnilier  of  gravid  females  caught  in  spring 

Origin  and  development  of 


Paragrajdi. 


601 
108,  ,V.i7 
87 
77,78  ' 


Pago. 


612 
40:i-407 

657 

585 

(10 

68:i 

585 

100,114 

n:i4 

651 

091 

77 

610-612 

61)9 

64 

U9, 506 

5.'i8 

580 

582 

um 

654-1158 
5!t9 
140,  150 
617-027 
014 
61«-IL'8 
001-012 


Originated  with  natives  on  coast 

I'aritv  of  interests  with  land  sealing 

I'ecnliar  to  J'ortli  Pacilic 

Proportion  of  seals  lost 

Regulations  suggested 

Self-regulative 

Sexes  not  distinguished 

United  States  interests  in 

Value  of  United  States  and  ISiittsli  Columbian  tieets,  1891... 
Periods  of  Uest— 

l''ound  necessary  in  llussian  jieriod 

Suggested  as  protective  measure 

riiysical  charact'ristiis  of  Prihyloif  and  Commander  Islands... 

Places  visited  liy  Untish  Counnissioners 

Pohivina  Kookery,  >St.  I'aul  Islan  1 

First  driven  in  1879 

I'oachcrs — 

Tcriu  cannot  be  applied  to  pelagic  sealers 

Prciautions  on  Islands   - 

licttir  on  CoTMiuamlerB  than  PribylolVs 

I'ribylolV  Islamls— 

Dale  of  discovery 

Decrease  id'  sen  Is  noticed  in  1879 

Decrease  of  Uilliible  seals  marked  ill  18,S5 

Description  (d' 

Jlistiuical  notes  on  rookerit's 

Killini.'  of  seals  excessive 

Methods  eui])loyed 

Jlr.  ralmcr's  visit  to 

Native  ])o|iulation  of 

Physical  churacti'ristics  of 

Statistics  ol  skins  taken  on 

PropiutioM  i<(  Seals  lost  at  Sea— 

(.Sec  Pelagic  Scaling.) 
Protection  («<•<•  rrotective  Measures  and  Uegiilatloiis) — 

Austrulasia 

(,'onditions  ol,  sunnnaii/.cil 

Desirable 

Duty  of,  ulUrmed 


:i55 

648 

61-0;t,CG-68, 

571-0(10 

571 -.580 

126 

05 

613-6;;2  ! 

050 

ll8,rKi5 
o:t3 

103 
600 


244- 


40 
105 
270 


2,-.0 
782- 

659- 


256 
684 

012 

427 


247 

084 
000 
2.-|3 
833 
0.54 
ti73 


244 


72.'l 
270 
109 


129 
146 
145 


204 
207 


219-241 


1,55 
150 


4,5 


187  189 


330  REPORT   OF    liHITISTI    COMMISSIONERS. 

Ivilex  to  report  of  liehriiiji  Sea  Commission,  eir. — Continne<l. 


Paragraph. 

Tiigo. 

VnttrcUon  (st't'  rrntct-tivo  Mrasuros  and  KojiiilutionH)- 

-Cont'd. 

llli 
129 
145 
14.'> 

Iniiilruiiiic V  ot'  on  lM'rt'(liii"'-iHltiiiilH 

1 

«Im)i  Miivpu 

129 
lir>,  119,  120  < 

urt 

129  1 
129 
]2fi,  U,-) 
129 

TSluHt  1)1^  l)otl)oii  sIhm'i'  aitd  son 

Pn)t«^ftivo  MrasuH's  (tfre  atao  Protection  and  ]{( ^cnlatit 

(!ujM'  ol'  ( f  (>o(l   I  lope 

lis)  — 

19  4 

193 

198-203 

liuprovtMl  nu'tlMxls  of  takinj;,  nocesMary 

Intrrnatiunal  co  opMation  not-ossary 

Japan    * 

i47  i.i6 
109, 170 

191,  l'.>,5 

19.'.  19H 

iir. 
I5i.ir)2 

KoH\ rirtiun  in  nuitilirrs  killcit  necessary 

2.5 

l.'>8 

Total  pntliiltitioii  of  kiilin;;  on  islanils       

27 

Wliat  arc  rti|nin'(l 

2a 

Prices  ot*  Skins  (set'  aUo  Skins)  - 

Averai^e  in  London.  l-'^Tl   81 .                        

21» 

From  Ca|M'  of  tlood  ilopr 

155 

Pnjw— 

A;;*'  at  wliirli  tliev  Hwiin 

208-:iO0 
l,^:i 
;;oi 
:i2i 

241 

3;!0 

(;:i7 

32.'< 

74,  (it!7 

o:ti! 
8:) 

301 
241 
24."« 

74 

301 
177 

Anl*>psv  Itv  Or.  (Jiinther 

liirtli  of,  on  {^uetMj  Charlotte  Islands 

Do  not  know  their  own  mothers 

Killed  hy 

liiiUs  li^^litinj; 

Sioriiis 

Killi'tl  for  fond 

Mortalitv  in  ISlH 

NuJiilier  at  a  hirlh 

l*eriod  of  sncklin;; .   , 

Unweaned  skins  nnmerrhantahle 

Queen  Charlotte  Islands— 

Pu]»s  horn  on  . 

Sisals  si'»".t  on.  in  winter 

Queen  ('harlot te  Sound— 

Grev  pups  in 

171 

K. 

727  770 

( 'lunpliiiiits  of  ill  IS'.U 

DfMliiution  ciiiim'd  liv,  ti  nil  cIumsoh  of  sciil.s 

ith  Seas.. 

74,  729 
732,  733 

Dt'Mtriu'tinii  of  gi'nt.H  un  KoIiIhmi  IhIuimI  Iiv 

734 
770 
703 
727 
7.-.9 
737-700 
7(i7 

84,  til 2 

74 

148 

728 

730 

210 
2,'iO 

103-108 
15U  158 

.145 

Driiin  on  sr-al  life  CiiiiatMl  bv *      .   .         

KiiMi'  Willi  « liicli  tliiw  can  "bo  made 

lu.miiiiv  of : 

Is 

List  ot",  on  I'riltvlolf  IslumtH ! 

No  ivconli'il  instaiu'o  of,  by  Cnniulian  vessels  on 

I'ribvlotV 

Itfiult'ii'd  i>iissitilo  bv  Inxilv  of  control 

Should  be  more  stric'lly  Kimidid  Hj;itiiist 

Siiiiilarit.v  of  inttluxls'lo  tboso  oiuisiiigdi'slrmlion 
S(Mi  bretMlin^  ri*8orts 

of  Soiilli 

KiiidI  .;:  ve.HsoliJ  - 

Si'iil.i  killiMl  bv,  ill  waters  iit'ar  rookeries 

Kan;;!' ot  fiirsciil  («('c  Miixration). 
Kodpalli.  Mr.  .!.<•.  - 

licet    Knoi\cr\",  St.  I'anl  Islaiitl 

Hernial  ions  tm'e  (il.w  I'loteclive  Mea.>(ili'eH)  — 

-Mleriiativ**  nietbods  of 

1 
1 

('inni>ensalor\'  adinHtnient  of 

1 

Ueueral  comlitionn  sninniarizcd 

i:::::;:::;:::::::;: 

TiiKf. 


104 
103 

108-203 


101,105 
1H5-IU8 


158 
27 
23 

21  n 

155 


171 


REPORT   OF   BRITISFI    COMMISSIONERS. 

rv,l,:r  to  report  of  lirhring  Sea  Commmiov,  e/e.-Continn.-d. 


331 


Kognlations  (»,.  „l,o  Protcctivo  Moas„res;-Coiitin,.«.l 

-May  iirrcul  diMrca.-r 

MfthodH  ()('  carrviii};  out  ....'.....'..'..', 

Mutual  cuiici'SHiiins  iiccfHsarv  

Specillc  Nclioino  of,  n'cdiniiK'i'iclcii 

\  anoiis  .sii;:!;c.slii)iis  fdi-  

^1'.'^K '.Vrn^l'';'''"  "■"•  ''V  '*-'"-''^"  ''"■'""".vial  (;ompa,.y  ... 
M.  .Ills  taken  by  J{i  ssiaii  (iovrrnniciit  for  motcctioii  of 

MiKialioii  ioute»  of  si-uIh  frenuriitiiP'  

JJaids  on " 


Paragraph. 


>  on 
ItookoritH— 

A ina  of  {.see  Area  of  Rookerips) . 

reatiire.*!  of 

Former  cxtpnt  of 

Necessary  roiidition.s  for,  exist  eisfwli 

-Not  nccc^ssarilv  limited  in  arra 

On  Ucbrin-  iMland,  ,\,„tl,  and  South" 

On  (cippcr  Isliiid 

On  .St.  (Jcorcc  Islanil  (Oreat  KastV 


rn.  Little  Kasfcrn,  North, 


Starry  Ari.e!,  atid  Zapadni,;). '"   *-""""'  ^'""" 

On  SI    I'aul  Island  (l>af;oon,  Lukannon  and  kVtavie   Nol-ii,' 

Kast  I'oint,  Polavuia,  K.'cf,  Tcdstoi   and  /-ini   n  .'i 
I  rofertion  <d.  l.otter  .n  CN.nn\uu.d.V  tlu     r^^^^^^^^^ 
Kopoits  as  to  coinl.tioii  of,  uu.salisla(torv  .  '     ^  '■KUUHh 


Mioulii  not  be  di.sturbt'd 
Smell  of 
Russia — 


Iiurease  of  seals  on  Pribylotf  Islands  under  rule  of 
Interests  of,  m  .sealin;;  industry 

Alanagenienl  of  Ouniiiander  Islands  liy 

I  reeaiitions  ai;ainsl  raids  by  

Robbeu  Island  proti'cted  by  


8. 


San  Franeiseo— 

Reiily  to  iiuiuiries  made  at. . . 

Sealinij  fleet 

Seareity  ot  seals  (»ee  KilllngoVi  isia,Ids)- 

Oiie  to  over-killing  of  malos 


li'1.4)- 


S(«l<'OH' — 

Extermination  of 

Former  abundance  of 
Seal  Fisheries— 

ArKcntino  Republic  . 

Australian 

(^ape  of  (io'xl  lIoj)o  .. 

t'liilean 

F.ilkland  Islaiuls. ...." 

Lolius  Islands 

NewZealaml 

South  Shetland  .... 
Scaling  at  Sea  (tee  IVlagii^  Seal 
Sealijii;  Fleet— 

liritish  C'olumhlmi 

t'niled  Stales 

Sealing  Industry  («,■,■  aim  Interests  inVidvedi—' 

Capilal  em  ployed  in 

Former  and  present  eonditiiin  of 

(iejimiTi.  .lapanese,  Russian,  and  United  Stai." 

Interests  on  sea  and  shore 

Numher  of  men  emploved  in 
Seal  l8lan<I.s—  '  

Flourishingeomlition  of  whoucededhv  Russia 

healing  on  Islands — 

I'arily  of  interests  with  sftaling  al  sea 
Suggested  improvements  in  methods. ..'.'. 

Seal  lile—  

lieeoming  more  pelagic 

<  'oiidi lions  of,  on  breeding  islands 

I  (islnrhance  of,  greater  in  recent  years 

hvideneeas  to  conditions  of 

Fluctuations  in  number " 

(icnoialconditiimsof -"!"!!!! 

(iradnal  diminution  of.  on  island.s  * 

Naliii.il  condilions  iulorfercd  witli 

SliouUl  be  studied  at*ea  a»  well  as  oiV  liiiui  ."'.".■ ." 


H  inli'i-est  in  .. 


109, 170 

94 

162 

102 


100 
l.S5-l.;i 

130 
150,  650 


513 
515-517 


I'rtgo. 


203 

510, 513 

1    

258-260 
273 

276 

272 

266,  2(i7 

208,269 

257 

256 

722 
52 

148 

271 

41,42 

103 

72,  722 

707 

515  517 

179 

20U 

438-440 

470 
471 

877 

1. .::::;;:;: 

803,  h.^^O 

8-5. 887 

1 

878,  H79 

882,  KHl 

870 

892-894 
872,  873 

COO 
600 

104  107 

20S 
200 

ioiV 

14-16 

102,  103 
111,112 

676 

120 
147, 148 

1 

85  ! 
277-283 
306 

52,  53,  56  ; 
33  1 

26-34 

701 

34 

16  . 

332  REPORT   OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS. 

Index  to  report  of  Belt  ring  Sea  Commission,  eti;. — Contiuneti. 


So.il  lyOgs— 

Kispt  l)y  Her  Sfa,)e8ty'8  and  TJnitod  States  cruizors  in  1891 
Seals  fcertiiie  (tee  also  Food) — 

Doubtt'iil  wliiithiT  by  night  or  day 

Sl'uIm  {see  also  Kurseiil)  — 

M('tlio<l8  of  emiiiit'i'ating 

Sinking  when  sliot 

•'       Loss  of  by,  exiiggerated 

"       Views  iif 'Professor  A  lion  aa  to 

Sea  otter,  Observations  on 

Ureed  all  the  year  round 

Catch  of,  in  <l  a)>an 

(y'ould  be  j»rot(^eted  more  easily  than  the  fur-seal 

Former  rookery  of,  at  C'ajie  Lopatka 

IiiathMiuato  protection  of,  by  United  States  Government. . . 

Lai'ge  number  of,  in  early  days 

Not  properly  pelagic 

Only  remaining  rookery  is  on  Copper  Island 

Value  of  skins  of 

Soecatchii)  [nee  Jiulls). 

Seizur<^s  of  Sealing-vessels  by  United  States  Government— 

J)ateof  first  soi/.iire 

Summary  of 

Sexes — 

Kequisito  proportion  of 

Shanghae— 

iieply  to  inquiries  from 

Sheep— 

Analogous  to  seals  in  breeding  habits 

Habits  w lion  suckling 

Shot  found  in  seals  killeil  on  islands 

Skins — 

Average  price  in  London.  1871-91 

liougbt  friiiM  Indians  mostly  "grey  pups"  or  snudls 

Classed  in  London  more  by  quality  tlian  origin 

CoT.per  Island,  sales  of 

D'lierences  benveeu  "Alaska"  and  "(Jojiper" 

From  Cape  lloi'n 

"     Cape  of  Good  Ho|)e i 

"     Commander  Islands  (180'J-91) ' 

"     Lobos  Islands 

Marketing  of 

North- west  coast  catch,  distinguished  by  shot  and  siiear  marks; 
"  Hiileof ! 

Obtained  from  Indians  ( 18.">2-l)0) 

Of  "  stagey"  and  luij)  seals  unnuM'c  ban  table 

Sliipiiient  of,  no  evidence  of  IVaud 

Weight  of , 

Weight  of,  on  islands 

"  "        Keduction  in  since  1888 

Southern  Hemisiihere- 

Aci;ount  of  i^ur  seals  in  early  tinujs , 


Paragraph. 


210 

310 

357-370 

613-0:10 

013 

0:i() 

459-40'J 

4li() 


404 
407 
4C8. 409 
40U 
401 

4or> 

459 


690 
1U9 

292-'294 


325 
028 


182 
053 


053 


902,  9(13 
053 


Fur-seal  tislieriea  of. 

"              '■            Falkland  Islands  destroyed  by  Ameri- 
can vessels '. 

South  Sea  Sealing— 

No  analogy  with  pelagic  sealing 

Spears  used  by  Indians  for  killing  seals 

' '  Stagey ' '  season 

I'l'i'iod  of 

"Stagey"  skins— 

Never  taken  at  sea 

I'nmiMchantable 

Stampedes — 

Death  of  pu])s  caused  by 

Starry  Arleel  Kookery,  St.  George  Island 

Stoni's  tound  In  stoii'.achs  {tee  Kood). 
Suckling  (*(■<'  also  Cows)  — 

Cows  will  suckle  young  of  other  cows  at  Capo  of  Good  Hope 

Habits  during  time  of 

Swan,  iludge— 

Letters  from 

Thinks  seals  are  found  near  Cape  Flattery  all  the  year  round 


74 

070 

071 

694-703 

097 

844-854 
834-901 


503 

202,281 

133 

134,031,63'J 
74 


74, 331-333 
257 


317-325 


Table  showing  normal  increase  of  seals 

Tasmania  - 

Protective  Regulations  in 

Kejilv  to  in!|uiries  from 

Tax  on  sliins  paid  to  I'nited  States  Govc'i.nieni,  in.rcase 

Tinuf  limit  (see  Close  Season) 

Tolstoi  Kookery,  St.  I'aul  Island 


if... 


371-375 


095 

130-138 

256 


Pago. 


100 


180 
184 


213 


218 


210 
1,55 
214 
215 


210,21 
213 


83, 190-192 
155, 156 


155 
172-177 


158 
158, 159 


s 


Pago. 


ICO 


180 
184 


213 


218 


210 

ir.r. 

214 
215 


21«,  21 
2ia 


83,  li)0-102 
155, 156 


155 
172-177 


REPORT    OF   BRITISH    COMMISSIONERS.  333 

Index  to  report  of  Behring  Sea  Commmsion,  e<c.— Coutimie(l, 


United  Statos— 

Seuliiif;  fl("((t,  isni 

,,  "  "      iiKo'iiplt'lo  KctiiriisoC  caii'l'iof.'! 

bniciiav—  

Koi)ly  to  iiiquiriL'S 


Seals  troubled  by. 


Yezo— 

Coa.st  fishery 

Seals  seen  near,  in  autumn  ami  liite  winter 


Zapadnie  Kookery,  St.  George  Island 
,,      "    ,  "  St.  Paul  Island 

/a))ooska  (tee  Periods  of  l^est). 
Zone  of  I'rotected  Waters— 

Defined 

Kecomnionded .']'".'"" 


Veniaminov,  JSishoii— 

On  (lr.\es 

VirKiii  loinaies  difiiciilt  to  diVtiirKui.slVfrom'  \  minLr'inaies 

Virility,  ago  ot ■         " 

Volcanic  origin  of  breodiug-islamU 


Warines.sof  seals  causes  tbein  to  shun  the  roast 
wark  Inlit — 

Grey  pups  taken  in.. 

\\  aste  of  seal  liCo  on  islands 

Weight  of  skins  taken  on  island 

,1  [[  "       hirgcly  rediic'cd  inissi) 

■nr     i.  .,,.,.,.  "        lowered  in  1883 

Western  side  of  North  Pacific— 

Breed  ingjihue.s  of  fur-seal  on 

History  of  sealing  industry  on 

Whale  Food—  "  

...r..^"*'''  "lost  numerous  where  it  is  tVmnd 
\Vilson,  SirSamu"!,  M.  P.— 

Information  as  to  sheep-breeding 
Worms  *" 


158 
158,159 


